Biden Comments On Protests
In recent weeks, college campuses across the United States have been engulfed in controversy as anti-Israel protests have erupted and caused chaos and violence. This resurgence of unrest has led many to resurface a 2020 social media post by then-presidential candidate Joe Biden, in which he seemingly blamed then-President Donald Trump for any violence that occurred in the country during his tenure. With the recent events, some are now questioning the validity of Biden's statement and his handling of the current situation.
The now-deleted post, which was originally published on Twitter in August 2020, suggested that all examples of violence occurred under Trump's watch. It also claimed that the violence was a byproduct of his leadership and presidency. The post is now coming under scrutiny as violence and arrests have been made during anti-Israel protests on over a dozen college campuses in recent weeks.
Stephen Miller, a conservative political commentator, recently posted on social media, questioning whether the "soul of the nation is healed" in 2024, three years into Biden's presidency, as Jewish students are being blocked from their college campuses and told to stay home and remote learning. Others on social media have also resurfaced other posts by Biden from the summer of 2020, where he questioned whether there would be less violence in America if Trump was reelected.
Many have criticized Biden's apparent lack of leadership in addressing the violence and unrest on college campuses. Lisa Boothe, a Fox News contributor, claims that Biden has "looked the other way" as "Democrat foot soldiers" hijack universities across the country.
Former White House press secretary and Fox News contributor, Ari Fleischer, also expressed his disappointment in Biden's handling of the situation. Fleischer stated that Biden would be "served well" by reading his old tweets and taking action. He also compares the current state of affairs to the two-day Unite the Right protest in Charlottesville, which occurred during Trump's presidency.
GOPAC chairman and Republican strategist, David Avella, points to a survey that suggests Americans feel less safe after three years of Biden as president. He highlights a recent Gallup survey, which reported that over 75% of Americans believe there is more crime in the country than in 2022. Avella believes this sentiment will greatly impact Biden's chances of reelection, especially as Americans witness the ongoing violence.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response. However, White House Deputy Press Secretary, Andrew Bates, issued a statement on Tuesday, stating that President Biden respects the right to free expression and that protests must be peaceful and lawful. He also condemned hate speech and symbols, stating that they have no place in America.
On Thursday, Biden addressed the ongoing protests from the White House, stating that both the right to free speech and the rule of law must be upheld. He emphasized that while he respects the right to protest, violence and destruction are not acceptable means of expression. Biden called out vandalism, trespassing, and the intimidation of people as not constituting peaceful protests. He also acknowledged the need for fairness and safety on college campuses, as students should be able to earn their degrees without fear of being attacked.
The president also condemned hate speech and violence of any kind, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, and discrimination against Arab and Palestinian Americans. When asked if the protests have made him reconsider his policies, Biden responded with a firm "no." He also addressed the National Guard, stating that he does not believe it should be activated in response to the protests.
Biden's response to the ongoing events has sparked debate and criticism, with some accusing him of not doing enough to stop the violence and protect the safety of students on college campuses. As tension and unrest continue to escalate, many are closely watching to see how Biden will handle the situation and whether his actions will match his words.