President Biden was met with bipartisan cheers as he spoke against defunding the police during State of the Union address

• President Joe Biden delivered his first State of the Union address on Tuesday night. 
• He argued that funding the police was the right approach to guaranteeing public safety.
• Bipartisan cheers echoed throughout the chamber in support of Biden’s statement.

President Joe Biden’s call against defunding the police received a bipartisan standing ovation from the congressional audience during his first State of the Union address on Tuesday night. 

“We should all agree: The answer is not to defund the police,” Biden said. “The answer is to fund the police with the resources and training they need to protect our communities.’

He mentioned two police officers who were killed on duty in New York City earlier this year.

The movement to defund the police gained traction during the pandemic as criminal justice reform advocates called out police brutality following the 2020 death of George Floyd. The idea is that a portion of the police funding could be reallocated to communities to fund mental health services, community programs, and other resources.

Biden said that the Justice Department’s requirement for body cameras, ban on chokeholds, and restrictions around no-knock warrants were steps towards keeping communities safe.  

He also argued that hiring more police officers was necessary and commended his American Rescue Plan, which he said provided communities with more money to hire additional police officers and implement “proven strategies like community violence interruption.”

“So let’s not abandon our streets. Or choose between safety and equal justice,” said the President, echoing a previous statement he’s made.

While he received a positive reaction during his speech, advocates of defunding the police criticized Biden’s remarks. 

“With all due respect, Mr. President. You didn’t mention saving Black lives once in this speech,” Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri said in a tweet.

“All our country has done is given more funding to police. The result? 2021 set a record for fatal police shootings. Defund the police. Invest in our communities,” she added.

—Cori Bush (@CoriBush) March 2, 2022