(DailyChive.com) – On Saturday, March 9, President Joe Biden admitted regret over his use of the word “illegal” during his State of the Union address to describe the individual who murdered Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.
In an interview with MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart, Biden acknowledged his error, stating he should have used ‘undocumented’ rather than ‘illegal.’ In recent years, the use of the term “illegal” has faded among Democrats, who have aligned with immigrant rights concerns. Thus, the president’s departure from tradition sparked frustration within his party, prompting him to clarify his stance and differentiate himself from former President Donald Trump.
During his address, Congresswoman Taylor Greene, a staunch Trump ally, interrupted Biden, shouting for him to acknowledge Laken Riley’s name, emphasizing that she was killed by an individual who gained access to the country unlawfully. Biden responded affirmatively before questioning the number of people killed by “individuals without legal status.”
The death of Riley has become a focal point for Republicans, who criticize the Biden administration’s handling of immigration, particularly at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Biden’s remarks to Capehart highlighted his commitment to treating all individuals with respect, a departure from the divisive rhetoric often associated with his predecessor. He emphasized his refusal to adopt Trump’s derogatory language towards immigrants.
The State of the Union address marked Biden’s third since taking office, with the president adopting a defiant tone amidst congressional gridlock. Although he did not mention Trump by name, Biden frequently used the term “my predecessor,” underscoring the sharp contrast between their administrations.
Despite House Speaker Mike Johnson’s calls for decorum, Republicans’ disruptions persisted throughout the address. Biden addressed Riley’s parents directly, expressing his condolences and holding up a button bearing her name. Several disruptors were escorted out of the chamber.
Biden used the platform to assert that democracy would be at stake in the upcoming November election, drawing parallels to historical moments of crisis. He then urged Congress to confront global threats, including Kremlin’s leader, Vladimir Putin, while criticizing Trump’s approach to international relations.
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