Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham criticized former Vice President Joe Biden’s call to “transform” the country and reallocate resources away from police departments.
“Well, I tell you something right now. If you’re looking for a place to come where none of this crazy shit will happen, come to South Carolina,” the South Carolina Republican told Fox News’s Sean Hannity when asked about what happens if Biden wins the presidency. “We are not going to defund the police. We are not going to destroy capitalism. We’re going to let you work hard, and the harder you work, the better you do in South Carolina. But what I’m going to do is take the mob’s bill, the Squad’s bill — I’m going to introduce it and ask everybody in the Senate to vote on it.”
Graham continued: “When Joe Biden means ‘transform the country,’ what do you mean, Joe? Are you with them? If you’re not with them, tell me how you’re different. To every Democratic senator, what do you think about defunding the police? Are you are with the Squad? If you’re not, tell them why you’re not with them. We need to vote on this stuff, not just talk about it on cable TV. Let’s vote on their ideas and see where the Senate is.”
Graham was referring to comments Biden made in a Wednesday interview expressing support for the process of taking funding away from police departments in response to the death of George Floyd.
“But do we agree that we can redirect some of the police funding?” Biden was asked. He responded, “Yes, absolutely.”
Biden also added that police departments don’t need military equipment and argued the equipment contributes to them becoming an “enemy” to local communities.
The GOP pushed back on Biden’s comment on social media, including RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on Twitter.
“Newsflash: ‘Redirect funding’ from the police is the same as ‘defund’ the police,” McDaniel tweeted along with a clip from the interview. “Biden has totally caved to the far left, and it’s why he would be a disaster as President!”
Newsflash: “Redirect funding” from the police is the same as “defund” the police.
Biden has totally caved to the far left, and it’s why he would be a disaster as President!pic.twitter.com/NfSuWwT3Hc
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) July 8, 2020
