President Biden did not publicly address Monday’s killing of New York City police officer Jonathan Diller, leaving New York City on Friday after raising at least $26 million in a lavish celebrity-filled campaign on Thursday night. , spent Easter weekend with his family at Camp David.
Mr. Biden and first lady Jill Biden boarded Air Force One at JFK Airport, about nine miles from the scene where Mr. Diller was shot and killed in Far Rockaway.
The first couple was joined by scandal-plagued son Hunter, daughter Ashley and grandson Beau around 12:45 p.m.
Mr. Diller’s Thursday wake and Friday audience in Massapequa, 20 miles east of the airport, were attended by top politicians from New York City and New York state, as well as Donald Trump, who is seeking a rematch with Biden in November. Former presidents also attended.
Biden has said nothing publicly about Diller’s death during the traffic stop and has not released a written statement.
Speaking at a campaign event in Manhattan on Friday morning, the president said foreign leaders were concerned about a possible Trump comeback: “I’m not that special, but I’m not Trump.” he added, giving a typical stump speech.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that Biden expressed condolences over Diller’s death to New York Mayor Eric Adams, but that Biden has contacted Diller’s family. He did not say whether or not.
“Obviously, our hearts go out to the officer’s family and the extended family of the New York City Police Department who tragically lost a member of their own. The President’s thoughts are with them. We grieve and honor their sacrifice,” Jean-Pierre told reporters.
President Trump met with Diller’s family, including his widow Stephanie and 1-year-old son, on Thursday afternoon.
Adams attended Diller’s wake on Thursday, and Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul also briefly attended Friday afternoon’s meeting, but was confronted by a man outside as she left.
Guy Rivera, 34, was charged Thursday with first-degree murder in Diller’s death. He has been arrested 21 times and was on parole until last year after serving a five-year prison sentence for a drug conviction.
