WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is urging voters to reject violence as a tool in the current campaign cycle, particularly highlighting remarks made by his Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump. During a press conference, former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges, and Biden-Harris Communications Director Michael Tyler emphasized the importance of denouncing Trump’s campaign tactics.
Tyler stated, “Political violence has no place in the United States of America. It should never be acceptable,” emphasizing the need to move away from a political discourse that tolerates violence. The Trump campaign has been criticized for recycling themes from his previous presidential run, which culminated in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Trump’s recent social media post depicting Biden “hogtied and gagged in the back of a pickup truck” was condemned as an example of his use of violent imagery for political gain. Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung defended Trump, accusing Democrats of inciting violence against him and his family. However, Trump currently faces 88 criminal charges, including incitement of violence and mishandling of classified information.
The press conference took place at the Democratic National Committee building in Washington, D.C., just before Trump’s scheduled campaign events in Michigan and Wisconsin. Gonell criticized Trump for praising individuals convicted in connection with the Capitol attack, labeling them as “patriots” and “political prisoners.”
Hodges also condemned Trump for perpetuating political violence within the country, particularly referencing the events of January 6 and the false claims of election fraud. The officers expressed disappointment in Trump’s failure to denounce violence or reach out to injured law enforcement officers following the Capitol attack.
Furthermore, Gonell emphasized the dangers of allowing Trump to continue utilizing violence as a means to achieve power and revenge. The officers stressed the importance of holding Trump accountable for his rhetoric and actions, outlining the critical need for a rejection of violence in political discourse.