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.

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