President Biden recently made a reappearance on the law enforcement front, offering a familiar narrative asserting a significant drop in crime, attributing it to the success of the COVID relief provided by the American Rescue Plan. Simultaneously, he insisted on the urgency of passing the “George Floyd Justice in Policing” Act, presenting a potential glimpse into his upcoming State of the Union speech. However, the President’s assertions are met with skepticism and deemed a prelude to political theatrics.
Critics argue that crime statistics, particularly murders, have not seen a substantial decline when compared to pre-“defund” movement years. With FBI numbers for the past year yet to be released, it remains uncertain what metrics President Biden referred to in his remarks. The comparison he draws between the current situation and the tumultuous period of the defund movement, George Floyd protests, and his own tenure raises questions about the accuracy of the claimed crime reduction.
Cities like New York, facing challenges in reporting crime statistics to the FBI, are in a precarious situation. The argument against attributing crime reduction solely to Biden’s American Rescue Plan gains traction, considering the lack of concrete data on how much of the plan directly supported law enforcement. Additionally, revelations about the ARP funds being misappropriated and defrauded add a layer of complexity to Biden’s claims.
President Biden’s advocacy for the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act may not resonate as strongly in the current political climate, as the pendulum appears to have shifted. While he invoked George Floyd’s name frequently in 2020, the political landscape has evolved, and Biden’s advisors may view this emphasis as less politically expedient now.
A notable absence in Biden’s recent remarks was any mention of Laken Riley, a victim of the migrant issue. The President’s silence on this matter raises questions about how he will navigate the border crisis in the upcoming State of the Union speech. While the event is expected to feature the customary political theater, with Democrats applauding and Republicans glowering, the crucial issues of crime and security may be addressed with a narrative of everything going exceptionally well, leaving room for accusations of political gaslighting. For President Biden, maintaining the status quo of gaslighting may prove insufficient at this juncture.
