White House blames ‘underfunding of some police departments’ for spike in violent crime

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White House press secretary Jen Psaki blamed the “underfunding” of some police forces for America’s surge in crime.

During Monday’s White House press conference, Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked PSAKI what the Biden administration says is fueling the spike in crime that has stunned Americans.

PSAKI pointed to “gun violence” as a “big reason” for the rise in crime as well as the “underfunding of some police departments and their need for additional resources”.

BLM DC COMPLAINS OF SHOOTING POLICE OFFICERS TREATED AS ‘HEROES’ IN ‘TEAR JERKER PRESS CONFERENCES’

The press secretary said President Biden has “recommended” additional police resources “consistently” throughout his decades-long political career and that the White House knows “we must act.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC on January 5, 2022. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

“And it’s absolutely true that he won’t be satisfied or complacent when officers are shot or when Americans have to worry about whether it’s safe to ride subways or buses,” Psaki said, emphasizing again Biden’s pressure on defunding the police in his political career. “It shouldn’t be a political issue.”

Doocy pointed out that the national murder rate is about to reach its highest level in 25 years and asked why Americans “don’t see or hear more” of Biden on the issue, to which Psaki said Biden “talked about the crime.”

“But I think what people are most focused on, as it should be, is the actions he has taken,” Psaki replied, highlighting several areas where the president has addressed police resources.

The White House press secretary said Biden had “advocated” for additional police resources “consistently” throughout his political career. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Several police departments across America have seen their funding cut as the far-left “defund the police” movement gains momentum, following the 2020 killing of George Floyd.

Many prominent Democrats — including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — were vocal supporters of the movement, pushing the idea on social media amid protests.

Jason Rivera was killed in the line of duty in New York last week. (NYPD)

The series of tough questions comes after a bloody weekend in which several police officers across the country were shot, including Jason Rivera, a 22-year-old NYPD officer, who was killed while responding to a call from domestic conflict.

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The Black Lives Matter chapter in Washington, DC, recently expressed outrage that police officers who are shot in the line of duty are automatically treated as “heroes” after an officer was shot and wounded Sunday night in the northwest of DC.

While the scene was still unfolding, Black Lives Matter DC took the opportunity to promote its #StopMPD campaign and warn against the spread of “copaganda”.

“This is the point we’ve been arguing for months,” the band tweeted Sunday night. “Look at the reaction and the coverage tonight. Press conferences and hero proclamations to come. Imagine if people knew these people’s names. Being black in DC is more dangerous than any job.”

Fox News’ Jessica Chasmar contributed reporting.

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