What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
February 28 Recap
President Biden met with law enforcement officials at The White House, including the executive director of the National Fraternal Order of Police and police chiefs from several major cities, at the White House to discuss and promote his administration's initiatives to combat crime. This meeting aimed to highlight the efforts under Biden's administration to address crime rates and counter-narratives suggesting that cities under Democratic leadership are plagued by lawlessness.
President Biden emphasized that while his administration's strategies are showing positive results, there remains significant work to be done. He pointed out the decrease in homicides during his tenure, contrasting it with the record spike in murders in 2020 under the Trump administration, exacerbated by the pandemic's impact on violent crime and financial strains on law enforcement budgets.
The White House contrasts the current administration's record with that of the Trump administration, highlighting "historic declines in violent crime" and an estimated 12% national reduction in homicides from 2022 to 2023. This is set against the backdrop of former President Donald Trump's focus on "migrant crime" in his campaign speeches, which President Biden's administration suggests misrepresents the actual crime trends under his leadership.
Source: UPI
The White House released a fact sheet outlining President Biden's comprehensive approach to reducing crime and enhancing public safety in the United States, particularly in light of the significant increase in murders recorded in 2020 during the previous administration. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, there has been a notable decline in crime rates, including one of the largest yearly decreases in homicides.
Key initiatives and results highlighted include:
A three-part strategy encompassing funding for effective, accountable policing; investment in intervention and prevention strategies; and efforts to restrict access to especially dangerous firearms.
The President's Safer America Plan, which requests $37 billion from Congress to support law enforcement and crime prevention, aiming to fund 100,000 additional police officers for community policing, among other measures.
The utilization of the American Rescue Plan, opposed by every Republican in Congress, which allocated over $15 billion to states and localities for public safety and violence prevention, leading to significant reductions in violent crime and homicides across various cities.
Examples of successful investments in cities like Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Chicago have seen substantial declines in homicides and violent crimes through funds used for hiring new police officers, community violence intervention, and other public safety measures.
The Department of Justice allocated nearly $5.8 billion in 2023 for public safety improvements, including funding for new police officers and school safety enhancements.
President Biden's executive actions and legislative achievements aimed at reducing gun violence, including the implementation of rules to control "ghost guns," the formation of law enforcement strike forces to address firearms trafficking, and the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which represents the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in nearly 30 years.
An ongoing call to Congress to take further actions to combat crime and enhance public safety, including enacting universal background checks, requiring safe storage of firearms, and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
The fact sheet emphasizes the Administration's commitment to reducing crime through a balanced approach of supporting law enforcement, implementing prevention and intervention strategies, and enacting gun safety measures.
President Biden delivered remarks from the White House State Dining Room and highlighted his administration's efforts and accomplishments in fighting crime and enhancing community safety. He thanked law enforcement officers and community leaders for their service and sacrifices, crediting them with contributing to the historic lows in violent crime rates across various cities. The President cited the United States experiencing one of its lowest rates of violent crime in over fifty years, with significant decreases in murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, property crime, and theft.
He emphasized that public safety and crime reduction have been top priorities for his administration, recalling efforts dating back to his time as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. The President detailed the impact of the American Rescue Plan, which allocated $350 billion to support law enforcement and community safety initiatives, marking history's largest federal investment in crime prevention. This included funding for crisis responders, investments in law enforcement recruitment, retention, training, and technology, as well as efforts to build trust between communities and police.
President Biden also spoke on his administration's efforts to combat gun violence, including executive actions to limit the flow of illegal guns and the signing of the most significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years. He expressed a commitment to further actions, including banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
The President affirmed his administration's focus on progress over politics, aiming for safer communities nationwide. He handed over the discussion to Neera Tanden, his Domestic Policy Advisor, signaling a commitment to ongoing dialogue and action on these critical issues.
President Biden issued an Executive Order to safeguard Americans' sensitive personal data from potential exploitation by countries deemed threats. This unprecedented action authorizes the Attorney General to block the large-scale transfer of personal data to these countries. It establishes measures against activities that could allow such nations access to Americans' sensitive information. The data protected under this order includes genomic, biometric, personal health, geolocation, financial data, and certain personally identifiable information, which, if misused, can lead to surveillance, scams, blackmail, and privacy violations.
The order comes in response to the increased collection and sale of American data by companies and data brokers, which can end up in the hands of foreign intelligence, military, or government-controlled entities. This situation poses significant risks, particularly to individuals in the military or national security sectors, by potentially enabling foreign powers to gather information on U.S. citizens for intimidation, dissent suppression, and infringing on civil liberties.
To counter these risks, President Biden's directive includes the following key actions:
The Department of Justice will issue regulations to protect Americans' sensitive data from countries of concern, preventing significant data transfers to these nations.
Enhanced protection for sensitive government-related data, including information about military personnel and locations.
The Departments of Justice and Homeland Security will set high-security standards to block access to Americans' data through commercial avenues.
Federal agencies like Health and Human Services, Defense, and Veterans Affairs will ensure that grants, contracts, and awards do not facilitate access to sensitive health data by concerned countries.
"Team Telecom" will assess the risks to personal data in its review of submarine cable licenses.
Measures will not hinder the necessary flow of financial services information or aim for a broader separation from the U.S.'s economic, consumer, scientific, and trade relationships with other nations.
These steps reflect the U.S.'s commitment to a free data flow, internet openness, privacy protections, and enforcing laws and policies serving the public interest. The administration will continue to engage with stakeholders to balance these objectives and has urged the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect Americans from illegal data sales, including military personnel data. President Biden also calls on Congress to pass comprehensive bipartisan privacy legislation emphasizing child safety.
President Biden issued a statement regarding Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who announced his decision to resign from GOP leadership this November. The statement emphasized the importance of American democracy, collaboration, and mutual respect despite political differences. The President highlighted his long-standing working relationship with McConnell, stating that they have managed to find common ground and work together in good faith for the benefit of the American people. He acknowledged McConnell's leadership and ability to discuss matters honestly, putting the country's interests first.
The statement also mentions significant achievements such as the largest infrastructure law in nearly 70 years, investments to outcompete China, standing up for national values and security interests, and making strides toward curing cancer. Biden praises McConnell's personal journey, overcoming polio to become the longest-serving Senate leader in American history, and extends best wishes to McConnell and his wife, Elaine.
President Joe Biden's latest physical exam findings indicate that he remains "fit for duty" and capable of executing presidential responsibilities, according to Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's long-time physician. During the over 2.5-hour examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, no new health concerns were identified for the 81-year-old president, the oldest in U.S. history and would be 86 at the end of a second term if reelected.
The president has adapted well to using a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, works out five times a week despite some hip discomfort, and shows no worsening in his stiff walking, attributed to arthritic changes in his spine. The extensive health report did not point to signs of major neurological conditions, and no cognitive test was deemed necessary by O'Connor and Biden's neurologist.
Source: Associated Press
Read President Biden’s health summary from Dr. Kevin O’Connor, D.O, FAAFP, here.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a press briefing at The White House. It covered various topics, including updates on wildfires in the Texas Panhandle, the importance of access to IVF following a court decision in Alabama, measures to protect Americans' personal data from foreign exploitation, and comments on Senator Mitch McConnell's announcement about stepping down.
Additionally, Ms. Jean-Pierre discussed President Biden's upcoming visit to Brownsville, Texas, to address border security, the administration's stance on various domestic and foreign policy issues, including the conflict in Gaza, the state of U.S.-South Korea relations concerning aid to Ukraine, and the administration's efforts regarding legal and illegal immigration. The briefing highlighted the administration's efforts to address national security, health care, privacy, and foreign policy challenges while responding to current political developments and criticisms.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized Senate Republicans for blocking a bill proposed by Senator Tammy Duckworth aimed at safeguarding nationwide access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) after the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling created uncertainties about IVF's availability. Despite previous expressions of support for IVF, the Senate Republicans' refusal to protect IVF access was highlighted as a contradiction. Jean-Pierre emphasized that reproductive freedom, including the ability to decide to have children through IVF, which is crucial for about one in five American women facing infertility, is a fundamental right. She attributed the threat to reproductive health care access to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which she sees as part of a broader, extreme agenda by Republican officials. Jean-Pierre affirmed President Biden and Vice President Harris's commitment to fighting for reproductive health care rights, including IVF, and urged Congress to reinstate Roe v. Wade's protections at the federal level for women in every state.
President Biden meets with the executive director of the National Fraternal Order of Police and the police chiefs from Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Miami, Milwaukee, and Dekalb County, GA. at The White House
