President Biden is facing criticism from House Speaker Mike Johnson and other conservatives for his recent backtrack on labeling Laken Riley’s suspected murderer as an “illegal.” Johnson called Biden an “embarrassment” for apologizing to the accused killer instead of showing sympathy to Riley’s family. During an off-script moment in his State of the Union address, Biden referred to Riley’s killer as an “illegal” but later backtracked during an interview with MSNBC, stating that he should have used the term “undocumented” instead.
It has been confirmed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that the accused, Jose Ibarra, illegally crossed the border near El Paso, Texas and was released into the U.S. for further processing. He was later arrested and released in New York City for allegedly endangering a child. In October 2023, Ibarra and his brother were cited for shoplifting in Georgia before Riley’s tragic murder.
Ibarra is now facing multiple charges, including malice murder, murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and concealing the death of another. Charging documents reveal that he is accused of “disfiguring” Riley’s skull. The fact that Ibarra entered the U.S. illegally and had a history of criminal activity has raised concerns among conservatives.
During his interview with MSNBC, Biden justified his use of the term “undocumented” by criticizing former President Trump’s language and stating that he would not treat any individuals with disrespect. However, Trump, who spoke to Riley’s parents at a rally, strongly disagreed with Biden’s choice of words. He called out Biden for apologizing and emphasized the importance of enforcing strict immigration policies.
In response to the criticism, Biden addressed Riley’s parents during his State of the Union address and expressed his condolences. However, he also raised the question of how many people are being killed by “legals,” further fueling the debate on immigration policies.
The controversy surrounding Biden’s remarks and his backtrack highlights the ongoing divide between conservatives and Democrats on immigration issues. The issue of illegal immigration and the enforcement of border control remain contentious topics in American politics. As the debate continues, conservatives are holding Biden accountable for his choice of words and expressing their concerns about the impact of lenient immigration policies on public safety.
It is clear that the issue of immigration will continue to be a major point of contention between conservatives and Democrats. The differing views on how to address illegal immigration and protect American citizens will likely play a significant role in shaping future policy debates and elections.
