Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), a representative for President Biden’s re-election campaign, said Sunday that Biden is focused on ensuring student protesters get the “deserved” consequences. .
In an interview on NewsNation’s “The Hill on Sunday,” Chris Stilwald asked McClellan how Biden is navigating hostile tensions within his base. Some accepted the student demonstrators’ perspective, while others expressed concern about law violations and incidents of anti-Semitism.
“I think the president is focused on striking the right balance between protecting free speech and the right of students to peaceably assemble as the law is enforced,” McClellan said. If this is violated, there must be corresponding consequences,” he added.
“But he is also very focused on making sure those outcomes are proportionate. He is also very focused on making sure the reasons for the protests are resolved. , which is contributing to conflict resolution in the Middle East,” she said.
McClellan’s comments echo those of President Biden last week, who said in a prepared statement: But now is not the time for politics. A moment of clarity. So let me be clear…violent protests are not protected. It’s a peaceful protest. ”
“Destruction of property is not a peaceful protest and is a violation of the law. Vandalism, trespassing, broken windows, campus closures, forced cancellations of classes and graduations. “Dissent is essential to democracy, but dissent must never lead to anarchy,” Biden said.
McClellan also compared Biden’s response to what she assumed was former President Trump’s response. She referenced reports that President Trump asked authorities during the George Floyd demonstrations if he could “shoot him in the foot or something,” according to an excerpt from former Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s book. .
“But I want to point out that when the former president was dealing with protests in cities and on college campuses, he asked the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff if it was OK to shoot protesters. ” McClellan said. “And I think he’s made it clear that if he were president now, he wouldn’t strike that balance. He would side with the authoritarians and protect freedom of speech and assembly. It will overstep and destroy it.”
When asked for comment, President Trump’s press secretary said he had “never heard of” the Virginia congressman.
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