The president delivered a pro-gun control and anti-Republican speech on Tuesday (Aug. 30) near his hometown of Scranton, PA. After praising Democrats in the audience and his old stomping grounds, the commander-in-chief launched into a two-punch oration about the evils of modern weaponry and those against his agenda. Joe Biden’s message was clear: guns bad, Republicans bad. This event was more than just an opportunity to pound political enemies, however; it also provided the president a chance to unveil his new Safer America plan.
He talked about the lack of security and safety for US residents, saying every day on the news they see “hate and anger and violence just walking the streets of America.” But, the president vowed, his crime proposal would solve all of that.
Joe Biden’s Message on Law Enforcement
In blatant contradiction to the more extreme members of his party, Biden promoted his Safer America plan, which he says is “based on a simple notion: When it comes to public safety in this nation, it’s not defund the police, it’s fund the police.”
And then the president took the opportunity to condemn his adversaries, exclaiming:
“But guess what? Every single Republican member of Congress, every single one in this state, every single one voted against the support of law enforcement [in the American Rescue Plan]. They talk about how much they love it and they voted against the funding.”
Biden's proposal earmarks $35 billion for state and local governments, kind of like chastising children for wrongdoing and then rewarding them with cash. As some might argue, crime rose significantly in states and cities where Democrat leaders defunded the police, a pattern that wasn't replicated in Republican-held areas.
Some of the plan’s highlights include:
No federal officers will be allowed to use a chokehold.
A database for officers who “have misbehaved."
Communities will be able to provide summer and after-school programs for kids – “and [the children] get paid.”
Access to health and mental health counseling.
More social workers.
Tougher penalties for fentanyl trafficking.
Joe Biden’s Message to Second Amendment Supporters
Joe Biden (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Biden also discussed how this new scheme would build upon the recently signed Safer Communities Act, which he claimed was the “most significant gun safety law passed in 30 years.” He then went on to brag, “and we beat the NRA! We took them on, and we beat the NRA straight up.” While preaching unity, Biden said Republicans couldn’t vote for that law “because they’re afraid of the NRA.” However, the president appears to have forgotten the bill was passed with bipartisan support.
With verbal force, the president warned, “I’m determined to ban assault weapons in this country.” He reiterated that “the rights granted by the Second Amendment are not unlimited.” He said children or young adults should not be able to access heavy duty weapons such as those used by military personnel, who have been trained and gone through psychological training before being given such a firearm.
He did throw in a brief compliment, saying, “It’s not about taking away anyone’s guns. In fact, we should be treating responsible gun owners as examples, how every gun owner should behave.” But on the heels of that, Biden, in a condescending tone, continued:
“For those brave, right-wing Americans who say it’s all about keeping America independent and safe … You want to fight against America, you need an F-15. You need something a little more than a gun.”
Joe Biden’s Message About Republicans
The finale of the speech was reserved for more insults thrown at the right. Biden told the audience to talk to Republican candidates and “[a]sk them if they are for banning assault weapons. If the answer is no, vote against them.”
He then went on a tirade about how no one should be encouraged to use political violence. “To this day, the MAGA Republicans in Congress defend the mob that stormed the Capitol on January 6,” he admonished and then pumped up the volume to declare:
“So let me say this to my MAGA Republican friends in Congress: Don’t tell me you support law enforcement if you won’t condemn what happened on the sixth.
“For God’s sake, whose side are you on?”
As a contender in 2020, Biden made much of the media-generated suggestion that he was a “unity candidate.” During his inauguration speech, the new commander-in-chief insisted that he would be a president for all, and touted his ability and experience of working across the aisle. If you wanted unity, Joe Biden was presented as the man for the job. With recent comments on “semi-fascists” and yesterday’s demand that voters choose a side, it seems Mr. Unity is a thing of the past, and woe betide any who disagree with the progressive lurch toward more state control.
