Biden: People Who Call Democrats 'Anti-Police' Are 'Lying'
Joe Biden makes allegations during CNN town hall
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Joe Biden has claimed that people who accuse Democrats of being anti-police are "lying."
Biden made the allegation during a Wednesday town hall with CNN when asked about criticisms from Republicans about the Democratic Party's anti-police rhetoric.
CNN host Don Lemon asked Biden how he would respond to Republicans who cite negative statements about the police from Democrats.
Biden responded with a list of reforms that he supports.
However, he stopped short of saying that the entire police force should be defunded, as far-left activists and several members of the Democratic Party have called for.
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"How do you respond to Republicans who try to paint you and your party as anti-police?" Don Lemon asked.
“They’re lying,” Biden responded, as the crowd began cheering.
"Look, we have to change police conduct.
"We have to have rules, where things are open.
"We have to have rules where you can be able to determine what the background, how many times a cop has violated the rules, be able to have access to what’s going on in police departments so the Justice Department can get involved in whether or not they have to change their pattern or practices.
"I’ve always said that.”
WATCH:
Don Lemon: "How do you respond to Republicans who try to paint you and your party as anti-police?"
— The Recount (@therecount) July 22, 2021
Pres. Biden: "They're lying." pic.twitter.com/3tPksfCYBV
Lemon asked Biden about activists calling to defund the police.
"I’ve never said defund the police,” Biden responded.
"I don’t know any communities, particularly communities that are in the most need, and the poorest, and the most at-risk that don’t want police.
"They want police, though, to look at them as equals.”
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Several Democratic politicians have supported defunding the police, including Missouri Rep. Cori Bush, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar.
However, Democrats have recently pivoted their stance and tried to blame Republicans for defunding the police due to the movement’s plummeting popularity.
