Joe Biden Should Do More Than Just Speak Out Against Violence

Published September 1, 2020

Former vice president Joe Biden has delivered the public and unequivocal denunciation of the recent rioting and looting many had longed for. Too bad for him that it’s likely to be too little, too late.

In fairness, Biden has previously denounced the violence that has plagued many cities all summer. His speech on Monday simply added a high-profile proclamation to his public record that is impossible to miss. No one can fairly attack Biden for winking at rioters.

Unfortunately for him, that’s not the sole issue he has to deal with. So long as the rioting continues, and so long as it occurs almost exclusively in cities controlled by Democrats, Biden’s pronouncements won’t matter much. Many Americans just want the lawlessness to stop. If Biden’s statements don’t stop the agitators or give mayors and governors the political cover to crack down, further outbreaks will just increase the demand for someone to act. That someone will be President Trump.

Click here to read the rest of this piece at the Washington Post’s website.

Henry Olsen is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.

How Lincoln Can Help Trump

Henry Olsen

EPPC Files Amicus Briefs in Supreme Court Supporting States’ Right to Limit Insurance Coverage for “Gender Transitions”

Eric Kniffin

EPPC Files Ninth Circuit Amicus Brief in Support of World Vision’s Right to Hire Employees Adhere to its Religious Beliefs

Rachel N. Morrison

Sixth Circuit Panel Muddles Loper Bright, Botches Spending Clause

Edward Whelan

EPPC BRIEFLY

SEARCH

Your support impacts the debate on critical issues of public policy.

Donate today

Related Publications

McCarthy’s debt plan needs an endgame. Here’s what it could look like.

Henry Olsen

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s budget and debt-limit plan is full of good policies, but it is more of an opening offer for…

Articles

The Washington Post / April 24, 2023

This Arizona town captures America’s deepening rural-urban divide

Henry Olsen

Arizona’s rapid transformation from a Republican bastion to a swing state is largely a story about the divergence between suburban…

Articles

The Washington Post / March 23, 2023

Republicans need a counteroffer to Biden’s Medicare fix

Henry Olsen

Olsen describes the tactics the GOP should use against the Biden Administration as a way to get leverage politically.

Articles

The Washington Post / March 8, 2023

The U.S.-Israeli alliance is getting testy. Don’t expect it to improve.

Henry Olsen

Olsen discusses the tense alliance between the U.S. and Israel. The Biden Administration is clashing with right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Articles

The Washington Post / February 20, 2023