President Biden and former President Trump were both in the New York City area on Thursday, but they attended very different events. Biden was in town for a Democratic fundraising event at Radio Music Hall, while Trump attended a wake for New York City Police Officer Jonathan Dille at a funeral home in Massapequa Park, Long Island.
During a press gaggle on Air Force One en route to New York, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed that President Biden grieves for the NYPD and honors their sacrifice. She highlighted Biden's longstanding support for law enforcement and reiterated the administration's commitment to providing resources for police officers to carry out their crucial work.
On the other hand, Trump attended Officer Dille's wake, where he emphasized the need for law and order and expressed sorrow over the tragic event. He mentioned the prevalence of such incidents and vowed to prevent them from occurring.
Regarding crime rates, Jean-Pierre pointed out that violent crime surged under Trump's administration, while the Biden administration took decisive action to fund the police and achieve a historic reduction in crime rates. The focus remains on supporting law enforcement and ensuring community safety.
Officer Dille, a 31-year-old father, was fatally shot during a routine traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens. The perpetrator, Guy Rivera, allegedly opened fire, resulting in Dille's tragic death. Both Rivera and the driver of the vehicle had extensive prior arrests, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Prior to the wake, the NYPD's Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) sent a letter discouraging far-left Democratic leaders from attending the funeral due to their perceived soft-on-crime policies. SBA President Vincent Vallelong expressed skepticism about elected officials attending the funeral solely for photo opportunities, emphasizing the union's preference for their absence.
