Yesterday, Vice President Joe Biden shined a light on Trump’s failures to lead, explained how he has made America less safe, and forcefully condemned his refusal to speak out against violence.
Statement by Vice President Biden:
“Yesterday, after the violence in Portland, I put out a statement decrying violence under any political banner, and challenged the President to do the same. Today, I traveled to Pittsburgh to explain how the President was making America less safe — on COVID, on the economy, on crime, on racism, on violence — and reiterated my clear message that violence is not the answer to any of these problems. And again, I urged the President to use his voice to the same end.
“Tonight, the President declined to rebuke violence. He wouldn’t even repudiate one of his supporters who is charged with murder because of his attacks on others. He is too weak, too scared of the hatred he has stirred to put an end to it.
“So once again, I urge the President to join me in saying that while peaceful protest is a right — a necessity — violence is wrong, period. No matter who does it, no matter what political affiliation they have. Period.
“If Donald Trump can’t say that, then he is unfit to be President, and his preference for more violence — not less — is clear.”
Excerpt of Remarks by Vice President Biden:
“This president long ago forfeited any moral leadership in this country. He can’t stop the violence – because for years he has fomented it.
“He may believe mouthing the words law and order makes him strong, but his failure to call on his own supporters to stop acting as an armed militia in this country shows you how weak he is.
“Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is reelected?
“We need justice in America. And we need safety in America.
“We are facing multiple crises – crises that, under Donald Trump, keep multiplying.
“COVID. Economic devastation. Unwarranted police violence. Emboldened white nationalists. A reckoning on race. Declining faith in a bright American future.
“The common thread?
“An incumbent president who makes things worse, not better. An incumbent president who sows chaos rather than providing order.”
Last week, Joe Biden responded directly to the tragedies in Kenosha. The day after Jacob Blake’s shooting, Biden said:
“These shots pierce the soul of our nation. Jill and I pray for Jacob’s recovery and for his children.
“Equal justice has not been real for Black Americans and so many others. We are at an inflection point. We must dismantle systemic racism. It is the urgent task before us. We must fight to honor the ideals laid in the original American promise, which we are yet to attain: That all men and women are created equal, but more importantly that they must be treated equally.”
Later in the week, Biden released a video where he urged against “needless violence” and emphasized the importance of coming together to heal and demand justice. Watch the video here.
