The way the Biden White House has handled the death of Laken Riley has been nothing short of infuriating. But when one reviews the statement they made after her murder versus the one they released Thursday after Nex Benedict’s death was ruled a suicide, it is blood-boiling.
Riley, as RedState readers will recall, was the 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was killed in February while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan illegal immigrant, has been charged with her kidnapping and murder.
Her death struck a nerve with people across the country who have hit their breaking point with the illegal immigration revolving door, and how it has continually resulted in innocent, law-abiding citizens becoming victimized.
Benedict was a 16-year-old Oklahoma high school student who identified as “non-binary.” After a physical altercation in a school bathroom back in early February, Benedict was taken to the hospital and later went home. But the next day she was back in the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. As noted above, the medical examiner has since ruled her death a suicide.
Before the facts were known about Benedict’s death, there was an immediate rush in the media and on the activist left to declare what happened as being the result of anti-LGBTQ high school bullying over how Benedict identified, with some – including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) – insinuating or outright alleging her death was the result of injuries sustained in the fight.
As more became known about the case, however, it became clear that narrative was falling apart.
READ: The Facts Behind the Death of a Trans Student in Oklahoma Exposes the Activist Media, Once Again
The Statements
On Feb. 26th, four days after Riley was killed and after repeatedly being asked by members of the mainstream media about it, a Biden White House spokesperson issued the following brief statement:
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley. 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.”
The statement does not appear on the White House website under “statements.”
Four days later, on March 1st, Laken Riley was laid to rest on a rainy day in her hometown of Woodstock, Georgia. What did Joe Biden do that day? Tweet about… George Floyd.
The first time Joe Biden said her name was a week and a half after that spox statement during his State of the Union address, where – after being pressed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) – he referred to her as “Lincoln Riley” and briefly expressed condolences to the family. Insultingly, he then proceeded to trivialize her death by asking how many murders were committed by “legals” versus “illegals.”
Biden was immediately criticized by members of his own party and the MSM for calling Riley’s alleged murderer an “illegal,” and later said in an interview that he “regretted” it.
On the flip side, on February 23rd, without prompting, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre started off the daily press briefing with a statement on Benedict’s death, calling it “devastating,” “gut-wrenching,” and “heartbreaking” before pointing to the Biden-initiated LGBTQ hotline.
Meanwhile, in comparison to how the Biden White House addressed Laken Riley’s death – which came in the form of a passing statement from a spokesperson, here’s the lengthy statement from Joe and Jill Biden that was posted to the White House website Thursday on Nex Benedict:
Jill and I are heartbroken by the recent loss of Nex Benedict. Every young person deserves to have the fundamental right and freedom to be who they are, and feel safe and supported at school and in their communities. Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today.
Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know. But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves. In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children. Bullying is hurtful and cruel, and no one should face the bullying that Nex did. Parents and schools must take reports of bullying seriously. My prayers are with Nex’s family, friends, and all who loved them – and to all LGBTQI+ Americans for whom this tragedy feels so personal, know this: I will always have your back.
To LGBTQI+ young people across the country – you are loved exactly as you are. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or alone, you can call or text 988, the National Crisis Hotline, and dial the number ‘3’ to talk to a counselor who has been specifically trained to support LGBTQI+ youth.
Biden's White House didn't even give an official statement on Laken Riley's death. It was just a note from a spokesperson. These people are just evil. There's no other way to describe it.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 14, 2024
It’s just despicable. Laken Riley’s death mattered, too, and to a whole lot of people, but apparently not to Joe Biden.
Flashback: Georgia Democrat Mayor’s Presser on Laken Riley Murder Case Does Not Go Well As Tensions Boil Over
