Biden says psychologists should handle domestic violence cases and attend when ‘someone is standing on the edge of a bridge’ – but reiterates he does NOT want to defund the police in speech to mayors
- Biden says psychologists should handle domestic violence
- He said it’s not the job of cops but doesn’t want to defund the police
- ‘When it comes to public safety, we know the answer is not to defund the police’
- Biden spoke to U.S. Conference of Mayors at the White House
President Joe Biden on Friday said psychologists should handle domestic violence cases instead of the cops – but reiterated he doesn’t want to defund the police.
In a lengthy speech to U.S. mayors, Biden talked about a variety of local issues, including public safety needs, how to assist those suffering from mental health issues, and equipping first responders to respond to fentanyl overdoses.
But he was also clear he doesn’t want to take money away from local police departments, pushing back on a Republican criticism of Democrats.
‘When it comes to public safety, we know the answer is not to defund the police,’ he told the room full of mayors, who applauded in response. ‘They need funding and they need ancillary help as well.’
President Biden said psychologists should handle domestic violence cases instead of the cops – but reiterated he doesn’t want to defund the police
Biden spoke to the U.S. Conference of Mayors at the White House
He also pushed for alternative ways to help people, calling for psychological help, which he said includes more counselors in schools.
‘By the way a cop shows up in a domestic violence case or someone’s standing on the edge of a bridge – they don’t need a cop. They need a psychiatrist,’ he said.
Biden invited the U.S. Conference of Mayors to the White House as they wrapped up their annual meeting in Washington D.C. It was the first time since the COVID pandemic the mayors were able to be there.
Also present were several former mayors who are now in Biden’s administration, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, adviser Mitch Landrieu, adviser Keisha Knight Bottoms, and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh.
The president also got personal in his remarks.
He was asked, as a person who has gone through a lot of grief in his life, what he would say to Americans who have gone through a lot, especially during the pandemic.
Biden talked about the tractor-trailer collision killed his first wife, Neilia, and their infant daughter. He also spoke about his son Beau, who died from brain cancer in 2015.
He said he was lucky to have support.
‘I had people that were there to help me. I was lucky,’ he said. ‘I had so much help. And I had psychological help.’
President Biden said in his remarks police need more help, not to be defunded
Joe Biden got personal in his remarks, talking about his wife Neilia Biden and baby daughter Noami, who died in a car crash – he is seen with them above in a 1972 photo that also features his sons Beau and Hunter
Biden says his family is his rock, above President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden (center) with granddaughter Naomi, son Hunter, his wife Melissa and their son Baby Beau
He said he had the help that a lot of families don’t.
He praised his sister, Valerie, ‘my best friend in the world,’ for moving in to help raise his sons in the months after the collision. He said he was able to commute back and forth to the Capitol from Wilmington because his mother helped watch the kids.
‘You know what? I had family. I had an incredible wife. No man deserves one great love, let alone two,’ he said of Jill Biden.
‘I gave you my personal story was I think it’s just about knowing somebody’s there, knowing somebody to reach out to when you get scared,’ he said.
He called for an end of stigmas on mental health.
‘We have to take the stigma off of mental health. Mental health is no different than breaking your arm or your leg. It really isn’t.’
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