Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

June 8, 2022

I've got a brief statement I'm going to make if I can. I think the voters sent a clear message last night: Both parties have to step up and do something about crime, as well as gun violence.

And I sent, as you recallâwith the first major bill we passed, we gave the States and localities billions of dollarsâbillions of dollars they haveâand I encouraged them to use it to hire police officers and reform their police departments. Very few have done it.

In addition to that, I sent the Congress a request for $300 million in this year's budget to deal with hiring cops, to retrain cops, as well as to make sure they are adequately dispersed around the communities.

It's time they move. It's time to States and the localities spend the money they have to deal with crime, as well as retrain police officers, as well as provide for more community policing. It's time to get on with doing that. And that's what I think the message last night from the American public was in all the primaries.

Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:02 p.m. on the tarmac prior to boarding Air Force One en route to Los Angeles, CA.

Categories: Addresses and Remarks : Primary election results, remarks at Joint Base Andrews, MD.

Locations: Joint Base Andrews, MD.

Subjects: Elections : 2022 congressional elections; Law enforcement and crime : Community- oriented policing, strengthening efforts; Law enforcement and crime : Gun violence, prevention efforts; Law enforcement and crime : Policing best practices, improvement efforts; Maryland : Joint Base Andrews; Maryland : President's visits.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200495.

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