FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., penned a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday, calling on him to acknowledge the loss of life of Georgia school pupil Laken Riley throughout his State of the Union deal with Thursday evening.
Riley, a 22-year-old nursing pupil at Augusta College, was killed final month and the suspect charged in relation to her loss of life is Jose Ibarra, who was discovered to have illegally immigrated into the U.S. in 2022.
“At just six years old, Laken knew she wanted to be a nurse so she could help people. She was living her dream until it was shattered by Joe Biden’s wide open border,” Banks advised Fox Information Digital in a press release. “This was a totally avoidable tragedy. President Biden owes it to her family and the American people to say her name.”
Laken Riley poses for a photograph posted to Fb. Riley, a nursing pupil, was discovered lifeless close to a lake on the College of Georgia campus on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. (Laken Riley/Fb)
Banks implored Biden within the letter to “publicly acknowledge the Riley family’s tragedy” by talking about their daughter Laken’s loss of life throughout the annual deal with to Congress.
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The White Home didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.
“As Commander-in-Chief, it is your duty to protect American citizens, and this tragedy highlights the urgent need to address the surge in crime resulting from your negligence at our southern border,” Banks wrote.
The Indiana Republican, at the moment operating for the Senate seat being vacated in 2025 by Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., additional listed what he thought-about Biden’s failures on the problems of the southern border and immigration. Banks famous Biden’s reversals of Trump-era insurance policies akin to “Remain in Mexico,” Title 42, and the constructing of a border wall.
“Your failure to publicly acknowledge this tragedy is unacceptable,” Banks added.
Final week, the White House provided a statement to Fox Information Digital concerning Riley’s loss of life. “We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley,” a spokesperson mentioned. “People should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found to be guilty. Given this is an active case, we would have to refer you to state law enforcement and ICE.”
Rep. Jim Banks questions witnesses throughout a Home listening to on Feb. 28, 2023, in Washington, D.C. ( Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photographs)
Biden, himself, has not addressed the loss of life of Riley, regardless of being asked during a press conference if he bears any duty for it following a speech final week.
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“You have a great opportunity to respect the wishes of Laken Riley’s mother by breaking your silence and saying her name at the upcoming State of the Union address on Thursday, March 7, 2024,” Banks advised Biden within the letter.
Riley’s mom, Allyson Phillips, lately modified her Fb profile image to a coronary heart in UGA’s colours of Purple and Black, with the hashtag “#SayHerName.”
Along with asking Biden to acknowledge Riley at his SOTU deal with, Banks additionally referred to as on the president to “take swift and decisive action to secure the border. You can prevent further tragedies and ensure a safer future for all Americans.”
