Los Angeles County police chief has expressed “deepest gratitude” to US President Donald Trump and his rival Joe Biden, commending them for forgoing partisan politics and denouncing the shooting of two deputies in an ambush.
“On behalf of LASDHQ, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to both@RealDonaldTrump and @JoeBiden for reaching out today and offering their kind words regarding the horrific ambush which our two brave deputies survived last night,” sheriff Alex Villanueva tweeted late on Sunday.
He went on to hail the political foes for “setting partisanship aside” and condemning the shooting of two police officers, a 31-year-old woman and her 24-year-old male partner in their car in Compton on Saturday.
An unknown attacker approached the patrol car and shot the two deputies at a point-blank range multiple times. The officers were taken to hospital in critical condition and are expected to survive after undergoing surgery.
While it was still unclear if the officers pull through, Trump called for a “fast trial” and “a death penalty” for the gunman, who he labelled an “animal.”
Biden’s response was more toned-down. The Democratic presidential candidate called the shooting “cold-blooded and unconscionable,” demanding the perpetrator “be brought to justice.”
In the same message, posted to his Twitter account, Biden argued that “violence of any kind if wrong” - an apparent reference to the protests against police brutality - while wishing deputies a “full recovery.”
This cold-blooded shooting is unconscionable and the perpetrator must be brought to justice.Violence of any kind is wrong; those who commit it should be caught and punished.Jill and I are keeping the deputies and their loved ones in our hearts and praying for a full recovery. https://t.co/330QfeIUGg
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 13, 2020
However, while Villanueva sought to send a message of unity, striking a conciliatory tone on the politicians’ behalf, Trump was quick to take a shot at the former VP, accusing him of being “SILENT” for “the entire summer” as “left-wing mobs assaulted police officers.”
For the entire summer, Joe Biden was SILENT as left-wing mobs assaulted police officers. When Biden’s far-left supporters set fire to police cars, precinct stations, and courthouses, Joe Biden called them “PEACEFUL PROTESTORS.” When asked if he would cut police funding, Biden...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2020
In comparison to Trump, who had torn into Democratic mayors and governors for their lax response to the rioting and looting that have since long tainted the protests, Biden was far less vocal, while endorsing the Black Lives Matter cause.
However, amidst reports that the riots, such as violent unrest in Kenosha or in Portland have hurt his polling, Biden took on a more denunciatory tone. Effectively parroting Trump’s “law and order” slogan, Biden’s campaign has recently released an ad blasting “rioting and looting” as “lawlessness.”
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