President Biden declined to name a motive for the Atlanta shooter while the investigation is underway, after an attack on three spas killed eight people amid concerns of a rise in violence against Asian Americans.
“I’m making no connection at this moment to the motivation of the killer,” Biden told reporters in the Oval Office Wednesday, adding that he had spoken with the attorney general and FBI director and was awaiting further details from the investigation.
“I’ll have more to say when the investigation is completed,” he said.
Six of the eight victims who died in the Tuesday night attack appeared to be of Asian descent, leading many to suspect a hate crime.
“The investigation is ongoing. And the question of motivation is still to be determined,” Biden continued. “But whatever the motivation here, I know that Asian Americans are very concerned, because, as you know, I’ve been speaking about the brutality against Asian Americans for the last couple of months, and I think it is very troubling.”
Investigators said Wednesday that it is too early to determine whether the shooting was a hate crime and believe the suspect may have had a sex addiction.
“Whatever the motivation here, I know that Asian Americans are very concerned,” Biden said, calling an uptick in violence against those of Asian descent “very, very troublesome.”
His comments mark a shift in tone from the heated rhetoric around China that Biden dabbled in during the campaign as the coronavirus spread.
In one digital advertisement, Biden said former President Donald Trump wasn’t doing enough to take China to task for the spread of COVID-19.
“Biden told Trump he should insist on having American health experts on the ground in China … but Trump rolled over for the Chinese,” the ad said, claiming the former president failed to hold China accountable.
“I would be on the phone with China and making it clear: ‘We are going to need to be in your country. You have to be open. You have to be clear. We have to know what’s going on,’” Biden says in the ad.
The spot mentions “China,” “Chinese,” or “Xi” extensively and was criticized by some Democrats at the time.
“Wow @JoeBiden. Already trying to out-Trump Trump,” ACLU Deputy Legal Director Cecillia Wang said at the time. “This kind of fearmongering is causing violent attacks on Asian Americans.”
Wow @JoeBiden. Already trying to out-Trump Trump. This kind of fearmongering is causing violent attacks on Asian Americans. If you are trying to reform your past history of racist policymaking, like your 1994 crime bill, you had better do some homework. This ain’t it. pic.twitter.com/ePHiVGQFf3
— Cecillia Wang 王德棻 (@WangCecillia) April 19, 2020
The Trump campaign said in an earlier ad that Biden was cozy with the Chinese government, with Trump leveling similar charges at Biden directly.
In a tweet at the time, Trump said: “China wants Sleepy Joe sooo badly … Joe is an easy mark, their DREAM CANDIDATE!”
Hate crimes involving attacks on Asian Americans have increased over the past year, fueled by rhetoric around the virus, according to a coalition of groups that track violent incidents.
Stop AAPI Hate recorded nearly 3,800 instances of harassment against Asians in the past year, 10% of which were physically violent.
First lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the Atlanta shootings in remarks earlier in the day.
“I want to start by saying something directly to the families of the shooting victims in Atlanta last night. My heart is with you,” Jill Biden said during a visit to New Hampshire, part of the West Wing’s outreach tour for the just-passed coronavirus bill. “And I hope that all Americans will join me in praying for everyone touched by this senseless tragedy.”
Harris commented on the shootings before a virtual meeting with Ireland’s prime minister, stating that the attacks point to “a larger issue, which is the issue of violence in our country.”
“We’re not yet clear about the motive,” the vice president continued. “But I do want to say to our Asian American community that we stand with you and understand how this has frightened and shocked and outraged all people.”
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A 21-year-old suspect is in custody.
