President Joe Biden warned that the upcoming election could turn violent, as he appeared for the very first time at a White House press briefing.
The President said he was worried that although the election would be “free and fair,” it might not be “peaceful.”
“The election is a month away. One, I’d like to know how you’re feeling about how this election is going. And then also, do you have confidence that it will be a free and fair election and that it will be peaceful?” a reporter asked the President.
“Are you making any preparations, getting security briefings related to domestic security?”
“I’m confident it will be free and fair. I don’t know whether it will be peaceful,” Biden responded.
“The things that Trump has said and the things that he said last time out when he didn’t like the outcome of the election were very dangerous.
“Have you noticed? I noticed that the vice presidential Republican candidate did not say he’d accept the outcome of the election and hasn’t even accepted the outcome of the last election. So I’m concerned about what they’re going to do.”
President Biden says he is concerned about what will happen if Republicans don't like the outcome of the election, telling reporters "I'm confident it will be free and fair. I don't know whether it will be peaceful." #NexstarDC pic.twitter.com/tg6cb4oyap
— Hannah Brandt (@HannahBrandt_TV) October 4, 2024
Biden’s appearance before the press was also notable for the fact that it included no questions about Hurricane Helene and the government’s response to the disaster, which has been widely criticized.
The federal government has been accused of prioritising the well-being of Ukrainians and Israelis overseas, and of illegal aliens at home, over the residents of the Carolinas and Georgia.
Many have suggested the lackadaisical response may in fact be deliberate, because the areas worst affected by the disaster are all largely Republican.
There have been accusations that civilians attempting to provide supplies using helicopters and aid search and rescue have been turned away or even arrested for “interfering” in the disaster-response.
Mainstream media outlets are now openly claiming that the Hurricane could swing the election for Harris and Walz.
“It’s the first catastrophic event in U.S. history to hit two critical swing states within six weeks of a presidential election,” claims Politico.
They note that virtually all of the parts of North Carolina and Georgia that have been most seriously affected by the flooding are Republican. Trump won 61% of the vote in the worst affected areas of North Carolina, and 54% of the vote in the worst affected areas of Georgia.
Current polls show Trump leading North Carolina and Georgia by 1%, within the margin of error.
The Politico article goes on to note there will almost certainly be effects on voter turnout, and that both states face “crucial decisions” in the coming days about how to help people vote, including whether to extend voter-registration deadlines, give more time for absentee ballots and set up polling places in new locations that can be accessed.