Staff Reports
In a recent development, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) has come out swinging in defense of President Joe Biden’s decision not to attend the wake of the late NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller. The congressman dismissed Biden’s absence, claiming that his presence was required at a high-profile Democratic Party event featuring former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. While Khanna’s statement attempts to smooth over the presidential blunder, the Republican camp is not buying it for a second.
Ro Khanna dismisses critics of Biden’s fundraiser: ‘Event was about unifying Democratic Party’ https://t.co/wqh9sXA0ys https://t.co/wqh9sXA0ys
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) April 1, 2024
While Biden was hobnobbing at a lavish $26 million fundraiser at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, his primary political opponent, Donald Trump, stepped up to the plate and paid his respects at Diller’s wake. Meanwhile, the Democratic trio of Biden, Obama, and Clinton were busy patting each other on the back, promoting party unity and gaining inspiration for the upcoming 2024 election. It’s no surprise that the GOP sees this as a classic case of putting party politics over honoring the sacrifice of a fallen hero.
Amidst the Democratic fanfare, Khanna did manage to slip in a subtle nudge for President Biden to extend his condolences to the Diller family, highlighting the lack of a confirmed communication from the White House. The press secretary did confirm that Biden offered support to New York City Mayor Eric Adams but remained mum on whether the president reached out to the grieving family. The Republican critics are quick to point out this inconsistency, painting it as another example of the administration prioritizing political optics over genuine empathy.
The controversy surrounding Biden’s event doesn’t end there. The fundraiser, which further padded the president’s already bursting war chest to the tune of an estimated $155 million, featured celebrity appearances from Mindy Kaling, Ben Platt, and the notorious Lizzo. In a surprising turn of events, Lizzo hinted at leaving the music industry following the backlash she faced post-performance. This has only fueled the fire for conservatives, who argue that the president’s priorities are seriously amiss when he can spare time for star-studded soirees but appears unable to extend a simple gesture of condolence to a grieving family.
As the political circus unfolded in New York City, the tragic backstory of fallen Officer Jonathan Diller loomed large. His suspected shooter, Guy Rivera, had a record of 21 prior arrests, adding fuel to the ongoing debate over law and order and the need for stringent measures to address such criminal backgrounds. With murder and attempted murder charges now leveled against Rivera, the conservative camp points to this as a glaring example of the dire need for robust law enforcement and a president who prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of the American people over glitzy fundraisers and political maneuvers.
