Joe Biden ‘regrets’ using the word ‘illegal’ to describe Laken Riley's killer: ‘I shouldn’t have…’

Joe Biden has apologised for using the word “illegal” while describing the Venezuelan migrant who murdered Laken Riley, during his State of the Union address

Published on: Mar 10, 2024, 06:33:27 IST

By Sumanti Sen

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Joe Biden has apologised for using the word “illegal” while describing the Venezuelan migrant who murdered Laken Riley, during his State of the Union address. The president, however, did not apologise for calling Riley “Lincoln Riley” twice during the address.

Joe Biden has apologised for using the word ‘illegal’ to decribe Laken Riley's killer( REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein) (REUTERS)

Biden apologised for using the word “illegal” to describe migrants who are actually living illegally in the US during an interview with MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart. “I shouldn’t have used illegal, it’s undocumented,” he said.

‘We have to control the border’

“And look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about in the border was his, the way he talks about vermin, the way he talks about these people polluting the blood. I talked about what I’m not going to do. What I won’t do,” Biden continued.

“I’m not going to treat any, any, any of these people with disrespect. Look, they built the country. The reason our economy is growing. We have to control the border and more orderly flow, but I don’t share his view at all,” he continued. “Look, they built the country. The reason our economy is growing. We have to control the border and more orderly flow, but I don’t share his view at all."

“So, you regret using that word?” Capehart asked. “Yes,” replied the president.

During the speech, Biden used the word “illegal” while calling for the passing of a bipartisan border security. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene yelled at him to say Riley’s name, who she added was killed “by an illegal.”

“By an illegal, that’s right,” responded Biden, and then asked how many people are being killed by “legals.”

Jose Antonio Ibarra, was charged with malice and felony murder, aggravated battery, kidnapping, concealing the death of another and other charges. Police said the incident was a “crime of opportunity.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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