GOP Rep. asks Joe Biden to address Laken Riley death at SOTU

FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., penned a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday, calling on him to acknowledge the death of Georgia school scholar Laken Riley throughout his State of the Union address Thursday evening. 

Riley, a 22-year-old nursing scholar at Augusta University, was killed final month and the suspect charged in relation to her death 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 instructed Fox News Digital in an announcement. “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 Facebook. Riley, a nursing scholar, was discovered lifeless close to a lake on the University of Georgia campus on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. (Laken Riley/Facebook)

Banks implored Biden within the letter to “publicly acknowledge the Riley family’s tragedy” by talking about their daughter Laken’s death in the course of the annual address to Congress. 

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The White House didn’t instantly reply to Fox News 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 working for the Senate seat being vacated in 2025 by Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., additional listed what he thought of 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. 

Last week, the White House supplied an announcement to Fox News Digital relating to Riley’s death. “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 House listening to on Feb. 28, 2023, in Washington, D.C. ( Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Biden, himself, has not addressed the death of Riley, regardless of being requested throughout a press convention 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 instructed Biden within the letter. 

Riley’s mom, Allyson Phillips, not too long ago modified her Facebook profile image to a coronary heart in UGA’s colours of Red and Black, with the hashtag “#SayHerName.”

In addition to asking Biden to acknowledge Riley at his SOTU address, Banks additionally known 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.”