Staff Reports
The Biden administration is playing a classic game of “wait and see” when it comes to the Laken Riley Act, a piece of legislation championed by Republicans. The press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, seems to be more focused on putting the brakes on any commitment rather than taking a stand on a measure aimed at dealing with illegal immigration and crime. It’s almost as if they’re waiting for the political winds to shift before deciding how to address a tragic situation that unfortunately highlights the consequences of lax immigration policies.
The Laken Riley Act recently garnered enough support in the Senate to surpass the 60-vote requirement, allowing for debates to begin. This bipartisan backing might have the Democrats clenching their jaws in frustration, since tacking on amendments could end up backfiring in a way that could expose the party’s softer stance on immigration. Surprisingly, it seems the Democrats have become a tad bit more conservative in their views since the 2020 elections, especially when talking about that proverbial elephant in the room—illegal immigration.
In a particularly noteworthy incident, President Biden managed to bungle the name of Laken Riley during last year’s State of the Union address, even going so far as to refer to her as “Lincoln.” This was just one example of the administration’s clumsy handling of a serious issue, which has understandably left many wondering where their priorities really lie. It’s as if Biden is treating the murder of an innocent young woman as a mere footnote rather than a call to action.
White House mum on whether Biden would sign Laken Riley Act https://t.co/sHZsvMtyAI
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 12, 2025
Adding more icing to this cake of political ineptitude, Biden later walked back his terminology regarding illegal immigrants. While he initially described her killer as an “illegal,” he quickly backtracked and corrected himself to “undocumented,” as if changing the vocabulary could also change the circumstances surrounding such tragedies. The president’s convoluted reasoning and refusal to confront the legal realities have left many scratching their heads, questioning whether he is more interested in appeasing vocal minority groups than addressing public safety.
As for the Laken Riley Act itself, it aims to tighten federal laws by directing the Department of Homeland Security to take swift action against those in the country illegally involved in theft-related crimes. Estimates project that the additional resources this act would require might cost around $3 billion. Given the current White House’s track record, it seems more likely that this act might remain in limbo until another administration takes the reins, preferably one that prioritizes the safety and concerns of American citizens over political correctness. Now, isn’t that a thought worth exploring?
