Former Vice President Joe Biden sure sounded like he was blaming law enforcement for “escalating[ing] tension” across the country during his speech on Tuesday in Philadelphia’s city hall, where he commented on President Donald Trump’s handling of the current protests and violence.
Biden condemned the rioters but also criticized police.
Joe Biden Condemned the Protesters Who Committed Violence
“There’s no place for violence,” Biden said. “No place for looting or destroying property or burning churches or destroying businesses, many of them built by the very people of color who are [for] the first time in their lives are beginning to realize their dreams and build wealth for their families.”
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"Nor is it acceptable for our police, sworn to protect & serve all people, to escalate tension, resort to excessive violence…We have to be vigilant about the violence that’s being done by this incumbent president to our economy..& the pursuit of justice” https://t.co/WSIGz1bwCb
— Blue Virginia (@bluevirginia) June 2, 2020
Biden Sounded Like He We Was Accusing Police of ‘Escalat(ing) Tension’
Then Biden said, “Nor is it acceptable for our police, sworn to protect and serve all people, to escalate tension, resort to excessive violence. We need to distinguish between legitimate, peaceful protests and opportunistic violent destruction.”
Biden made these comments on the morning after protests over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police sparked violence and looting in many cities.
I've been screaming this at the top of my lungs for years. If you are a police officer or a supporter of law enforcement, you just can't vote Democrat. #bluelivesmatter
Joe Biden Appears to Blame Police for Riots: They ‘Escalate Tension’ https://t.co/JmDbRMnwOr
— Betsy Brantner Smith (@sgtbetsysmith) June 2, 2020
It’s not exactly clear what Biden meant concerning the police. On Sunday, the New York Times inaccurately reported that police had used increased force during the protests.
In a number of cities, Santa Monica, Philadelphia and others, citizens said law enforcement retreated prematurely as rioters continued to loot and vandalize.
Team Trump replied to Biden’s speech by accusing him of “stand[ing] with the rioters,” also noting that some members of Biden’s campaign staff had given money to bail out several people who had been arrested by the police during the mayhem.
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Three Decades Ago Joe Biden Wanted Police to Get Tough with Thugs
30 years ago, Joe Biden was urging police to get tough with “thugs” so that they could be put “away for a long time.”
Joe Biden now supports everything crazy leftists demand, but 30 years ago he wanted more police officers and more prison cells so he could put “thugs … away for a long time.”
Now he can’t even condemn violent left-wing rioters burning and looting! pic.twitter.com/usIcXYkxiA
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) May 30, 2020
Given his mental acumen these days, Sleepy Joe probably forgot he ever said this!