Conservatives Blast Biden Over Fence Erected For SOTU Speech
As President Joe Biden prepared for the final State of the Union address before the general election, U.S. Capitol police reported that there had been chatter of “potential demonstrations” in coordination with the annual event.
“Physical security is part of a comprehensive security plan with our federal and local law enforcement partners,” the agency explained in a statement on the matter. “Together it is our job to maximize the safety of all the attendees and to ensure the event goes as smoothly as possible.”
Although the Biden administration has largely dismissed calls for a border wall to stem the immigration crisis that its own policies have exacerbated, the perimeter of the U.S. Capitol building was nevertheless protected behind a barrier as lawmakers and the president gathered for the address.
The perceived hypocrisy fueled widespread backlash from public figures, including several House and Senate Republicans.
“Remember this when [Biden] talks about the border tonight,” wrote Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) in a social media post. “Biden doesn’t hesitate to put a barrier up for his speech in ashington but refuses to build a wall and secure the southern border.”
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) agreed, writing: “I wish Joe Biden would do this at the southern border.”
Another Texas Republican took aim at the administration from a fiscal perspective.
“More stupid spending,” wrote Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX).
The criticism was not entirely from the right, however, as Link Lauren, an adviser to former Democratic presidential candidate — and current independent White House hopeful — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also chimed in.
https://twitter.com/itslinklauren/status/1765601179214770640
While law enforcement sources did not specify what potential threats the fence had been commissioned to protect against, a pro-Palestine protest near Capitol Hill was scheduled to begin just hours before Biden’s speech.
The president has faced significant opposition from the left over claims that his administration has been too defensive of Israel after Hamas terrorists staged an attack on the country in October.
Among the many protests that have been held by demonstrators demanding a ceasefire in Gaza was one at the Capitol in December that resulted in hundreds of arrests.
“We are here to tell President Biden, as the commander-in-chief of the most powerful military in the world, he needs to do everything in his power to demand a ceasefire, to demand a de-escalation, to release the Israeli hostages and to address the underlying circumstances that have led us into this nightmare,” said demonstrator Eva Borgwardt at the time.
