Joe Biden appeared to suggest that Donald Trump should be locked up, but quickly clarified that he meant “political”, later sparking a backlash from the right.
In a speech to Democratic campaign workers in Concord, New Hampshire, Mr. Biden appeared to speak without the aid of a teleprompter, claiming that Mr. Trump was a threat to democracy. A single thing. Based on the Supreme Court’s ruling on immunity, he has the right to physically remove, physically remove, shoot, or kill anyone he believes poses a threat to him if necessary… That’s what I think.
“So, I know this sounds weird. (If) I said this five years ago, you would have locked me up. We have to lock him up.”
As the applause began, Biden added the modifier: “Politically lock him up.”
He continued: “Keep him out. That’s what we have to do.”
The comment was a reminder that President Trump frequently refers to jailing and prosecuting political opponents, but he doesn’t mean that in a political sense, but in a literal sense. I have repeatedly stated that.
Trump suggested in a debate with his 2016 presidential opponent Hillary Clinton that she would “go to jail” under his presidency, and at a campaign rally he called for “lock her up.” He repeatedly provoked his supporters with chants.
While Clinton has not been convicted or charged with any crime, Trump was convicted in New York state court of 34 felonies for paying hush money to porn actors to interfere in the 2016 election. are.
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He also faces criminal charges in three other cases for alleged election interference and improper storage of classified documents.
Trump has made baseless claims that the president used the Justice Department as a weapon against him in a political witch hunt. His campaign argues that Biden’s comments somehow prove that Trump is a victim of political persecution, and echoes Trump’s own repeated promises to initiate political persecution himself. is not mentioned.
“Joe Biden just admitted the truth: his and Kamala’s (Harris) plan all along was to politically persecute their opponent, President Trump,” said Trump campaign spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt. “Because we cannot defeat President Trump fair and square.” “The Harris-Biden administration is a real threat to our democracy. We call on Kamala Harris to condemn Joe Biden’s disgraceful comments.”
Campaign communications director Stephen Chan brought up the assassination attempt against Trump. “Biden also talks about ‘shootings’…Meanwhile, President Trump is the only candidate to have been shot in the head in an assassination attempt.” Biden is such a piece of shit,” he wrote on X.
Charlie Kirk, a pro-Trump activist and co-founder of the right-wing advocacy group Turning Point USA, said: “This is a ‘story’ about why the Democratic Party establishment is so hell-bent on putting Trump in jail.” he posted. It was all done on purpose. ”
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According to a report by NBC, White House officials noted that Biden has offered two immediate clarifications on how his comments should be interpreted.
President Trump has publicly and privately insisted on prosecuting his political critics if he returns to the White House. He suggested that former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney should be tried military for participating in a Congressional investigation into her role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
He also said that Gen. Mark Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when he was president, should be executed for treason.
President Trump has also characterized his domestic political opponents as the “enemy within,” which he refers to as the people’s elected representatives, California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. was also applied.
He has also advocated using the military against opponents who would cause “disruption” in the election.
Harris highlighted recent speeches in which she described Trump as “unstable and unhinged” and agreed with suggestions that Trump is a fascist.
But she discouraged chants of “lock him up” directed at President Trump at a recent rally, telling supporters: I’m going to beat him in November.”
