‘GOP defunded the police!’ Biden aide Cedric Richmond blames Republicans for increased crime by opposing massive COVID rescue package that included money for law enforcement
Joe Biden's senior advisor Cedric Richmond on Sunday blamed Republicans for defunding police, despite the GOP fighting against the far left 'defund police' movement.
'Let's talk about who defunded the police,' Richmond said to Fox New Sunday host Chris Wallace. 'When we were in Congress last year trying to pass… an emergency relief plan for cities that were cash-strapped and laying off police and firefighters, it was the Republicans who objected to it.
Richmond, the director of White House Office of Public Engagement, is referencing coronavirus relief bill negotiations in 2020, when Republicans had control of the Senate.
'And in fact, they didn't get funding until the American Rescue Plan, which our plan allowed state and local governments to replenish their police departments and do the other things that are needed,' he added.
'So look, Republicans are very good at staying on talking points of who says defund the police,' Richmond said. 'But the truth is, they defunded the police. We funded crime intervention, and a whole bunch of other things.'
The 'defund police' movement garnered intense support by the far left over the summer of 2020 following the death of George Floyd, a black man, at the hand of a police officer last May.
Biden's senior advisor Cedric Richmond is blaming Republicans for 'defunding police'
'Republicans are very good at staying on talking points of who says defund the police,' Richmond told Fox News Sunday host Christ Wallace (left). 'But the truth is, they defunded the police. We funded crime intervention, and a whole bunch of other things'
Progressive lawmakers embraced the movement, calling for defunding of law enforcement across the country and demanded an overhaul of the entire American policing system.
Republicans, on the other hand, pushed back against the movement, claiming that law enforcement officers are essential and should continue to be funded by the government.
The GOP also claims that any defunding of police – and the movement in general – has reduced morale and contributed to the massive spike in crime in the U.S. over the last year.
Richmond, however, claims the GOP must be for defunding police since they argued against a massive legislation package that included sending money to local fire responders, like police and firefighters, as they became more overwhelmed and underfunded in the midst of the pandemic.
The 'defund police' movement garnered mass support from the far left and progressive in summer 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by former police officer Derek Chauvin
Speaking to Wallace, Richmond claimed Biden's latest gun control initiatives will help reduce the spiking crime rate.
Last week, the president announced a new 'zero tolerance' policy for gun dealers if they break federal gun laws, saying first offenders will not have their license to sell revoked.
Richmond claimed last week that the rise in gun violence is the fault of the National Rifle Association.
He told MSNBC on Wednesday that the spike in crime is due to 'the fact that we have let the NRA govern this country for far too long.'
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