Is Joe Biden Hinting at Kamala Harris’ Potential Presidency?
File pic: AP
In the wake of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, President Joe Biden is calling for an assault weapon ban in the United States, emphasizing Vice President Kamala Harris’s potential role in tackling gun violence. During his NAACP speech, Biden praised Harris, saying, “She’s not only a great vice president, she could be president of the United States,” according to the Daily Mail.
Biden referenced the recent shooting incident involving Trump to underscore the need for stricter gun control laws. “[The gun] was used in the shooting of Donald Trump, just as assault weapons are used to kill so many others, including children. It’s time to outlaw them. I did it once, and I will do it again,” he stated.
On July 13, 2024, Trump was shot above his right ear during a MAGA rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired from a rifle in what is presumed to be an assassination attempt, though the motive remains unclear pending further FBI investigation.
Trump’s shooting is one of many instances of gun violence in America. A KFF survey found that more than half of American adults have experienced gun attacks, with 4% having been injured in a shooting. Gun violence has become the leading cause of death for children and young adults under 19, with medical costs exceeding $1 billion annually.
To address this crisis, Biden appointed Harris to lead the first-ever federal office of gun violence prevention in 2023. Harris’s background as a former prosecutor and state attorney general made her an ideal choice for this role. Kristine Lucius, a domestic policy aide to Harris, remarked, “Throughout her career, the vice president has worked tirelessly to protect people from gun violence,” as reported by AP News.
As the Biden-Harris campaign for a second term in the White House continues, gun violence remains a key issue. Harris has prioritized this topic, teaming up with Maryland Senate Democratic nominee Angela Alsobrooks to mark Gun Violence Awareness Day and advocating for better background checks before gun purchases.
In his NAACP speech, Biden highlighted the urgency of banning assault weapons, tying it to Trump’s recent assassination attempt and broader concerns about gun violence in the United States. By positioning Harris as a key figure in this effort, Biden underscores her capability and readiness to address one of the nation’s most pressing issues.
