During Thursday’s State of the Union address, President Biden engaged in an unplanned interaction with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). The conservative figure vocally interrupted Biden’s speech on immigration, urging him to recognize a University of Georgia student who tragically lost her life last month.
As Biden discussed a bipartisan border security bill, thwarted partly due to former President Trump’s opposition, Greene, known for her staunch support of Trump, shouted out the name “Laken Riley.” Riley was a student killed by an individual who entered the country illegally from Venezuela in 2022, as per police reports.
As she sat in the chamber, Greene sported a red “Make America Great Again” hat.
Biden momentarily halted his scripted speech and retrieved a pin bearing Riley’s name, a symbol worn by numerous GOP lawmakers.
“Laken Riley, an innocent young woman whose life was taken by an undocumented individual. It’s a tragic reality,” remarked Biden. “But let’s also acknowledge the thousands of individuals who have lost their lives due to undocumented immigrants. To her parents, I extend my heartfelt condolences, understanding the pain of losing a child myself.”
Adding to his statement, he emphasized the consequences of altering the situation at the border, highlighting the financial toll individuals pay to smugglers.
In urging Republican legislators, Biden emphasized the importance of passing the Senate bill aimed at enhancing border security, limiting specific asylum requests, and implementing other measures. He aimed to differentiate his approach from that of Trump, his expected opponent in the upcoming general election.
Directly addressing his predecessor, Biden called for a departure from political maneuvering and urged cooperation in advocating for Congress to approve the bill.