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President Joe Biden spoke at the 40th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service on Saturday, using the occasion to push gun control, police reform, and the narrative that the January 6 protests were an “insurrection” and a fundamental threat to democracy.
The president spoke on the steps of Capitol Hill, praising the Capitol Police who defended the building during the January 6 protests.
“Here, nine months ago, your brothers and sisters thwarted an unconstitutional and fundamentally un-American attack on our nation’s values and our votes,” Biden said. “Because of you, Democracy survived.”
Biden criticized the public for expecting too much from police officers, being the first to respond to mental health incidents and domestic disputes.
“Being a cop today is one hell of a lot harder than it’s ever been,” he said, noting that 2020 was the deadliest year for law enforcement on record.
Biden vowed to keep pushing for more police reform legislation to give law enforcement officers more tools to police communities better.
“We haven’t got anywhere yet, but we’ll get there,” he promised.
The president said police officers should have the support of mental health workers who could better handle difficult situations on the job.
“You shouldn’t be the one having to talk someone off the edge of the roof,” he said. “You should have professional help with you.”