Joseph Biden slammed Republicans on Tuesday after several of them called for the defunding of the FBI and other federal law enforcement organizations.
In January, a gunman killed 11 people in Monterey Park, Calif., where Biden spoke. The president has instructed relevant government departments to ensure they follow gun laws that Biden signed into law last year and issued an executive order to strengthen background checks on gun buyers.
Republicans in Congress and the president are currently sparring over Biden’s budget proposal because they believe it doesn’t go far enough to reduce debt.
Republicans have argued for the defunding or reduction of a number of justice departments. Conservatives have been accused of being “armed” by the Biden administration’s use of the DOJ. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) pushed for the abolition of many departments at the Conservative Political Action Conference last month.
“Either we put this government on our side, or we cancel the funding and get rid of or abolish the FBI, the CDC, the ATF, the DOJ, every one of them,” Gaetz said to thunderous applause. . And I don’t think that’s too much to ask either.
The idea was rejected by Biden on Tuesday.
Expanding access to mental health treatment for people affected by gun violence is something I outlined in my budget last week, according to Biden. Republicans in Congress should approve my budget rather than advocating cuts to these services, the elimination of the FBI, or defunding of the police, as our Republican MAGA allies see fit.