President Biden drew cheers from both Democrats and Republicans by condemning the “Defund the police” movement during his first State of the Union address on Tuesday night, the New York Post reports.
“We should all agree: The answer is not to Defund the police, the answer is to fund the police,” Biden said to a standing ovation.
When it comes to public safety, "I know what works," Biden said. "Investigating, crime prevention, and community policing, cops who walk the beat, who know the neighborhood and can restore trust and safety. Let's not abandon our streets or choose between safety and equal justice. Let's come together and protect our communities, restore trust, and hold law enforcement accountable."
The American Rescue Plan provided $350 billion for cities and counties to hire more police officers, Biden said, an investment in "proven strategies" like breaking the cycle of violence and trauma and "giving young people hope," The Week reports.
Biden also said he will do everything in his power to crack down on ghost guns and gun trafficking, and called on Congress to ban assault weapons with high-capacity magazines and pass universal backgrounds. "Why should anyone on a terrorist list be able to purchase a weapon?" he asked. "Why? Why?"
