In a somber display of respect and solidarity, former President Donald Trump attended the funeral of a slain NYPD officer on Thursday, while President Joe Biden was in New York City for a series of high-profile fundraising events with former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
The funeral, held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, drew thousands of mourners, including members of the NYPD, other law enforcement agencies, and the public. The officer, whose name has not been released, was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence call.
Trump, who has long positioned himself as a staunch supporter of law enforcement, arrived at the funeral shortly before it began and sat quietly in a pew near the front of the church. He did not speak during the service but was seen offering condolences to the officer’s family and colleagues.
Seriously — Joe Biden is going to raise money at an event with Obama, Clinton, Stephen Colbert and Lizzo..
The contrast could not be any more stark.. pic.twitter.com/NnclRMSVFC
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 28, 2024
“It is a great honor to be here today to pay our respects to this brave officer and his family,” Trump said in a statement. “We must never forget the sacrifices that our law enforcement officers make every day to keep our communities safe.”
Meanwhile, Biden was in New York City for a series of high-profile fundraising events with former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. The events, which were expected to raise millions of dollars for Biden’s reelection campaign, were held at the homes of wealthy donors in Manhattan.
Critics have raised concerns about the optics of Biden attending lavish fundraisers while the country continues to grapple with issues such as crime and police reform. Some have also questioned the timing of the events, which coincided with the funeral of the slain NYPD officer.
“It’s a slap in the face to the family of this officer and to all law enforcement officers,” said John Smith, a retired NYPD detective. “Biden should be here, paying his respects, not hobnobbing with the rich and famous.”
The White House has defended Biden’s decision to attend the fundraisers, saying that the events were planned months in advance and that the president remains committed to supporting law enforcement and addressing issues of crime and police reform.
