It seems like Biden doesn’t care.
In a recent statement, Speaker Mike Johnson criticized President Joe Biden’s response to the tragic killing of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley, accusing him of yielding to political pressure and exhibiting what Johnson deemed as an act of “deference” towards the perpetrator. Johnson, a Republican representative from Louisiana, highlighted a clip from an MSNBC interview where Biden expressed regret for using the term “illegal” to describe Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national arrested in connection with Riley’s murder on February 22nd.
Describing Biden’s actions as embarrassing, Johnson emphasized the importance of acknowledging the gravity of the crime committed by Ibarra, whom Johnson referred to as an “illegal immigrant.” Johnson insisted that instead of appeasing certain factions of his political base, Biden should prioritize offering condolences and apologies to Riley’s grieving family.
Ibarra had entered the country unlawfully through El Paso, Texas, in September 2022. His arrest followed the discovery of Riley’s body on the University of Georgia campus, where she was found killed while out for a run. The cause of her death was determined to be blunt force trauma.
During his recent State of the Union address, Biden mistakenly referred to Riley as “Lincoln Riley” and mentioned her as a victim of an “illegal” immigrant, a term considered politically incorrect by some. Biden later clarified his remarks during the MSNBC interview, stating his intention to treat all individuals with respect, regardless of their immigration status.
Reacting to Biden’s comments, various political figures offered contrasting perspectives. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi downplayed the significance of Biden’s choice of words, focusing instead on his empathy towards Riley’s family. In contrast, Republican Senator Tim Scott condemned Biden’s apology, arguing that the focus should be on addressing the heinous crime committed by Ibarra.
The case against Ibarra includes allegations of disfiguring Riley’s skull and concealing her body, with evidence suggesting the crime took place between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on February 22nd. Additional details revealed Ibarra’s prior encounters with law enforcement, including a misdemeanor charge of shoplifting and suspicions of involvement with criminal organizations in Venezuela.
As the debate surrounding immigration policies and criminal justice continues, the focus remains on seeking justice for the victim and ensuring accountability for those responsible for such senseless acts of violence.
