Biden Divides Democrats With Calls To ‘Fund Police’

Casey Harper, The Center Square

While President Joe Biden attacked the defunding of police during Tuesday’s State of the Union Address, others within his party don’t agree with him.

“We should all agree: The answer is not to defund the police,” Biden said in his address. “The answer is to fund the police with the resources and training they need to protect our communities.”

Biden received pushback almost immediately from his party. Some Democratic lawmakers and a contingent of activists have continued to push for “defunding police” despite Biden’s rhetoric to the contrary during his time in office.

RELATED: Black Lives Matter Is Not Happy With Biden’s Call To Fund The Police

“With all due respect, Mr. President,” Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo, wrote on Twitter in response to the speech. “You didn’t mention saving Black lives once in this speech. Our country only gave more money to the police. It is now? 2021 was the record year for police killings. The police should be defunded. Invest in our communities.”

Bush repeated her message twice, but other Democrats are now drifting from it.

Tuesday was not Biden’s first time to emphasize funding police. Biden has always stood by this message and defied all other members of his party. Biden demanded that there be more police in order to end the violence, which continues to sweep through American cities.

​​“But what I would say to you is that the president has never supported defunding the police,” Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a news briefing at the time. “He’s always supported community policing programs. He’s supported giving funding to – to states and localities around the country, including through his American Rescue Plan, because he thinks there is an essential role to play for community policing.”

Biden also pointed to specific policing strategies, like beat cop patrols as well as measures meant to prevent deaths, like “body cameras, banned chokeholds, and restricted no-knock warrants for its officers.”

“Like some of you that have been around for a while – I’ve worked with you on these issues for a long time,” Biden said Tuesday evening. “I know what works: Investing in crime prevention and community policing – cops who walk the beat, who know the neighborhood, and who can restore trust and safety. Let’s not abandon our streets or choose between safety and equal justice. Let’s come together and protect our communities, restore trust, and hold law enforcement accountable.”

RELATED: Far-Left Rep. Cori Bush Fumes At Biden For Not Mentioning ‘Black Lives’ During State Of The Union

Biden made mention of his meeting with Wilbert Mora (New York City Police Department officer) and Jason Rivera during his speech.

“I recently visited New York City Police Department days after the funerals of Officer Wilbert Mora and his partner, Officer Jason Rivera,” he said. “They were responding to a 911 call when a man shot and killed them with a stolen gun. Officer Mora was 27, and had been in the police force for 27 years. Officer Rivera had 22 years of age. They were both Dominican Americans, who grew up on the same street they chose to become police officers. I spoke with their families, and I told them that we are forever in debt for their sacrifices and we’ll carry on their mission to restore the trust and safety in every community deserves.”

Real Clear Wire granted permission to syndicate.