Las Vegas, Nevada — President Joe Biden returned to the campaign trail on Tuesday, addressing a shooting that narrowly missed his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump. The attack occurred over the weekend in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a 20-year-old gunman targeted Trump at a rally, killing a bystander and injuring two others.
“Our politics have gotten too heated,” Biden said during his speech at the NAACP national convention. “As I’ve made clear throughout my presidency, we all have a responsibility to lower the temperature and condemn violence in any form.”
Despite his call for unity, Biden took the opportunity to critique Trump on various issues, including the economy, reproductive rights, and gun violence. He emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “Just because our politics are very divided doesn’t mean we should stop telling the truth. Who you are, what you’ve done, what you will do — that’s fair game.”
Biden’s appearance at the NAACP convention came just days after the attack on Trump. The president used the event to highlight the contrast between responses to violence against political figures and the Black community, referencing the murder of George Floyd and the January 6 Capitol attack.
“You understand, if you’re going to talk about standing against violence, you must stand against all violence,” Biden said. He criticized Trump’s handling of the George Floyd protests, questioning, “When you peacefully protested George Floyd’s murder, Donald Trump called for the National Guard to go after you. What in the hell is the matter with this man?”
Biden also underscored his administration’s efforts to support the Black community, touting $16 billion in funding for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and a reduction in Black unemployment rates. He warned that Trump’s economic policies could jeopardize these gains.
The president’s speech was met with enthusiasm from the NAACP audience, who chanted, “Four more years!” in support of Biden’s re-election campaign. NAACP President Derrick Johnson highlighted the importance of the Black community’s vote, urging attendees to focus on policy priorities rather than party affiliation.
Biden, facing calls to step down after a shaky debate performance, reaffirmed his commitment to the race, stating, “Are you all in? Because I’m all in.” He acknowledged the criticism he has faced, both from opponents and within his own party, but expressed gratitude for the support from the Black community.
As Biden wrapped up his speech, he left the audience with a message of unity and resilience, emphasizing the need to stand against all forms of violence and continue fighting for justice and equality.
