White House Press Secretary Jean-Pierre responded to Republicans blaming President Biden for the death of Laken Riley allegedly by a migrant in Georgia.
While offering condolences, Jean-Pierre said fixing the broken immigration system is the goal but Republicans have obstructed reform.
“One of the things that some Americans are focused on are crimes that are allegedly being committed by migrants who are in the country illegally. There was the death of Laken Riley in Georgia. There’s been an arrest made there. Republicans are directly blaming President Biden for this. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) said, These deaths are ‘on him.‘ What’s the White House response to that?” John Berman asked.
She argued the administration has taken action with border visits and a comprehensive plan on day one.
However, Jean-Pierre asserted Republicans are obstructing progress for political gain at Donald Trump’s urging rather than solving the issue.
“So, first of all, I want to offer our condolences to the family of Laken. This is a horrific, horrific loss for any family. And obviously, … whoever is found guilty, we need to make sure that that happens. And, obviously, we don’t want to see anything happen like that again,” Jean-Pierre said.
She said Biden will continue addressing the public about the impacts of the flawed system despite partisan politics.
Jean-Pierre placed responsibility for the lack of reform on Republican obstructionism rather than on Biden.
“But here’s the thing: We have done the work to make sure we’re dealing with a broken immigration system. The Republicans have gotten in the way. They have gotten in the way, and that’s what we continue to see over and over and over again. And so, look, this is a serious matter. That’s why the President’s going to the border,” she said.
“The President was at the border a year ago in El Paso, visiting the border back in January 2023. He put [forward] a comprehensive immigration policy on day one. This really — the folks who are getting in the way here are Republicans. They are getting in the way. And they are doing it because of what Donald Trump is telling them to do for their own — for his own political gain, and so, this is where we are right now,” she said.
“So, the President’s going to take it directly to the American people. He’s going to hear from people who are directly impacted by what’s happening with this broken immigration system. But the President is not going to stop. He’s not going to stop, because this is not about politics, it’s about the American people and what they want to see coming out of Washington, D.C.”
