Washington, D.C. – President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is urging voters to reject violence as a means of advancing political agendas in the upcoming election cycle. During a recent 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 any form of political violence in American society.
Tyler emphasized that the normalization of political violence is alarming and should never be tolerated in the United States. The campaign denounced former President Donald Trump for his continued use of violent rhetoric and imagery in his campaign efforts, including a recent social media post depicting Biden in a derogatory manner. The campaign expressed concerns that Trump’s tactics could incite further violence, referencing the events of January 6, 2021, when a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Trump’s campaign, however, has dismissed these accusations, claiming that Democrats and other critics have also promoted violence against the former president. Despite facing multiple criminal charges, including incitement of violence related to the Capitol attack, Trump continues to rally his supporters, with plans to campaign in Michigan and Wisconsin.
At the press conference held in Washington, Gonell criticized Trump for glorifying individuals involved in the Capitol attack as “patriots” and “political prisoners.” He condemned Trump’s failure to denounce the violence on January 6, emphasizing the impact it had on law enforcement officers who risked their lives that day.
Hodges echoed Gonell’s sentiments, condemning Trump’s encouragement of political violence and his baseless claims about the 2020 election. He highlighted the dangers of Trump’s rhetoric, stating that supporting law enforcement cannot coexist with promoting political violence.
The press conference aimed to bring attention to the ongoing threat of political violence and to urge Americans to consider the consequences of electing leaders who condone such actions. As the election season progresses, the issue of political violence continues to be a critical concern for both parties and the future of American democracy.