WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s campaign launched a plea to voters on Monday, urging them to reject violence as a tactic in the current election cycle. In a press conference, former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges, and Biden-Harris Communications Director Michael Tyler emphasized the importance of denouncing any form of political violence.
Tyler asserted that the promotion of political violence should have no place in the United States, emphasizing that such behavior should never be tolerated. He pointed out that the acceptance of political violence has become distressingly normalized in today’s political climate, a stark departure from the past.
The campaign representatives condemned former President Donald Trump for perpetuating themes from his previous unsuccessful presidential bid, which culminated in the violent insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The recent social media post by Trump depicting Biden in a disturbing manner was highlighted as an example of his dangerous rhetoric.
Trump’s refusal to disavow violence and his continued support for individuals involved in the Capitol attack drew sharp criticism from Gonell, who accused the former president of callously disregarding the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers. Gonell expressed concern over Trump’s glorification of violence as a means to achieve his political goals.
Hodges echoed Gonell’s sentiments, condemning Trump for endorsing political violence while purporting to support law enforcement. He criticized Trump for inciting the mob on January 6 based on false claims of election fraud, resulting in violence that claimed the lives of officers Brian Sicknick and Jeffrey Smith.
The press conference, held at the Democratic National Committee building, coincided with Trump’s upcoming campaign stops in Michigan and Wisconsin. Gonell urged Americans to heed Trump’s words, warning that his willingness to incite violence poses a significant threat to democracy.
The representatives concluded by rejecting attempts to diminish the severity of the events on January 6, emphasizing the violent and chaotic nature of the Capitol attack. They underscored the crucial role of law enforcement in safeguarding democracy and preserving the peaceful transition of power.