Washington, D.C. – President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign has issued a call for voters to reject violence as a legitimate tactic in the current election cycle, particularly pointing to comments made by former President Donald Trump, his Republican opponent.
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 political violence in the United States. Tyler stressed that the acceptance of violence should never be tolerated and highlighted the concerning trend of Trump’s campaign rhetoric, which has included imagery of violence against Biden.
The Trump campaign has been criticized for recycling themes from his previous unsuccessful presidential bid, which ultimately led to the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump’s recent social media posts depicting Biden in a derogatory and violent manner have raised further concerns about his approach to seeking power.
Gonell condemned Trump’s failure to denounce violence on January 6, 2021, and criticized his support for individuals involved in the Capitol attack. He highlighted the detrimental impact of Trump’s actions on law enforcement officers and called for a rejection of his candidacy in the upcoming election.
The press conference took place ahead of Trump’s campaign events in Michigan and Wisconsin, with Gonell and Hodges urging Americans to pay attention to Trump’s rhetoric and the implications of his words. They underscored the dangers of political violence and emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.
Hodges specifically called out Trump for perpetuating political violence and promoting falsehoods about the 2020 election results. The officers referenced the traumatic experiences they faced during the Capitol insurrection and expressed concerns about Trump’s continued support for those involved in the attack.
Overall, the press conference underscored the urgency of rejecting violence in politics and holding accountable those who seek to incite unrest for personal gain. The speakers emphasized the need for unity and civility in the political sphere, urging voters to consider the consequences of supporting candidates who condone or encourage violence.