Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden said Tuesday that President Trump’s response to George Floyd’s death and the ensuing protests shows that the Republican’s narcissistic nature is hurting the country when leaders should address systemic racism that protesters are demonstrating against.
Accusing Mr. Trump is fanning the flames of “fear and division,” Mr. Biden said if he becomes president he will seek to unify the nation and “recognize the pain and deep grief of communities that have had a knee on their neck for too long.”
“We can’t ignore the truth when we are at our best when we open our hearts, rather than clench our fists,” Mr. Biden said. “Donald Trump has turned this country into a battlefield driven by old resentments and fresh fears. He thinks division helps him. His narcissism has become more important than the nation’s well-being than he leads.”
It marked a return to the campaign trail for the former vice president, who has been holed up since mid-March in his basement in Delaware because of the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 concerns, however, have been moved onto the backburner as the nation comes to grips with Mr. Floyd’s death last week in Minneapolis. His death was caught on a cellphone camera and sparked mass protests across the country that have included lootings, arsons and violent clashes with police.
Mr. Trump has responded by taking an aggressive posture, criticizing Democratic governors for being too weak and mobilized civilian and military forces to combat the violence and property destruction that has muddied the message of peaceful protesters.
Seeking to draw a contrast, Mr. Biden emphasized unity.
“Is this who we are? Is this who we want to be? Is this what we want to pass on to our children and our grandchildren? Fear, anger, finger-pointing, rather than the pursuit of happiness? Incompetence and anxiety, self-absorption, selfishness?” Mr. Biden said at Philadelphia’s City Hall.
Mr. Biden said he plans to address racial and economic inequality and confront concerns over policing when he is elected.
He said Congress must act now to swiftly pass “real police reform” that would outlaw chokeholds, reduce the militarization of police departments, and create a new “model use of force standard.”
“No more excuses, no delays,” Mr. Biden said. “If Mitch McConnell can bring in the United States Senate to confirm Trump’s unqualified judicial nominees who will run roughshod over our Constitution now it is time to pass legislation that will give true meaning to our constitutional promise of equal protection under the law.”
Mr. Biden pledged that during his first 100 days of his presidency he would create a national police oversight commission, and called for comprehensive reviews of law enforcement hiring and training, and for the federal government to provide more funds to states.
He sought to try a balance between standing up for cops that perform their duties honorably and those that need to be ousted from their jobs. He also emphasized that a clear distinction should be drawn between peaceful protesters and those that have looted, burned buildings, and destroyed businesses.
Mr. Biden also blasted out a fundraising email highlighting his comments — including his criticism of Mr. Trump for using the Bible as a political prop this week at the St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House.
“If he opened it instead of brandishing it, he could have learned something: That we are all called to love one another as we love ourselves,” Mr. Biden said. “That’s hard work. But it’s the work of America.
“Donald Trump isn’t interested in doing that work,” he said.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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