During a speech, Former President Donald Trump expressed his commitment to ensuring “justice” for Laken Riley, a nursing student who was tragically killed. He attributed her untimely death to President Joe Biden.
During a rally in Rome, Georgia, on Saturday evening, Trump criticized Biden for the death of Riley, a nursing student whose body was discovered near the University of Georgia last month. The suspect in her murder is Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old migrant from Venezuela.
“Laken Riley would still be alive today if Joe Biden hadn’t intentionally and maliciously opened up the borders of the United States, allowing countless dangerous criminals to enter our country,” asserted Trump. Addressing Laken’s family directly, he vowed, “I assure you, I will fight for justice for Laken. Justice will be served.”
Context
Criticism of Biden’s immigration policies has been growing following Riley’s slaying, as an increasing number of migrants are entering the country from the southern border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection data reveals that there were over 2.4 million encounters at the border during the 2023 fiscal year, compared to approximately 1.7 million in 2021.
In an interview with MSNBC that aired on Saturday, President Biden expressed regret for referring to the suspect as an “illegal” immigrant, days after addressing the tragic incident during his State of the Union (SOTU) address.
What We Know
During a campaign stop in Georgia, Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, took aim at Joe Biden for his recent remarks about Ibarra.
According to the MAGA leader, Biden shows no remorse when it comes to Riley’s death.
“He lacks empathy, compassion, and, most troubling, any intention of halting the devastating incursion that robbed Laken of her precious American existence.”
Before Trump took the stage, Riley’s loved ones had a chance to meet with the former president. The Trump campaign also distributed pictures of the nursing student to the audience.
“We are deeply honored to have the presence of Laken’s family and loved ones here today, along with some of her amazing friends. I had the privilege of meeting them, and they truly are an extraordinary group of individuals.”
Representatives for Trump and Biden were contacted by Newsweek via email on Saturday for comment.
Views
Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and strong supporter of the MAGA leader, expressed her admiration for Trump’s speech on social media.
President Trump, during his rally in Georgia, took the opportunity to criticize Joe Biden for his apparent lack of empathy towards the victims of illegal immigrants. This sentiment was shared by Loomer, who conveyed the President’s remarks on X (formerly Twitter). Additionally, Trump acknowledged the presence of Laken Riley’s loved ones at the rally and expressed his solidarity with them in their time of grief. Loomer described Trump as an extraordinary individual.
X user End Wokeness posted a picture of Trump embracing Riley’s family, accompanied by a short 14-second video clip from Biden’s interview on MSNBC.
“Trump embraces the grieving parents of Laken Riley, while Biden offers an apology to her killer,” highlights End Wokeness on their platform. “I have never witnessed a more distinct contrast.”
