Biden plans to meet families of slain officers after backlash in Syracuse

President Joe Biden opened his remarks on Thursday in Syracuse, New York, by honoring the two Syracuse police officers who were killed in the line of duty last week, stating he hopes to meet with the families soon.

Biden’s remarks came during a speech planned to celebrate the more than $6 billion worth of new CHIPS and Science Act grants awarded to semiconductor producer Micron Technologies.

The president continued with his visit to the city despite the death of the two officers, Onondaga County Lt. Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hoosock and Syracuse police officer Michael Jensen, and calls from local lawmakers and the police union to urge the White House to delay the president’s trip.

“I want to take a moment to honor two officers who were mentioned, two fallen heroes who were killed in the line of duty this month,” the president opened. “We pray for their loved ones, whose hearts have been broken. You know, every time a police officer puts on that shield, every morning, their husband or wife — whatever it is, your child — worries about when they get that phone call. When they get that phone call.”

Biden harkened back to receiving “one of those phone calls” after the death of his first wife and daughter.

“You’ve lost a part of your soul,” he continued. ” “The entire Syracuse community is grieving, and we’re grieving with you. To the men and women in law enforcement, here and across the country, you represent the best of us.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) spoke ahead of Biden’s appearance at the Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology and also opened her remarks with a moment of silence for the slain officers.

The White House billed the Thursday trip as somewhat of a homecoming for the president, who attended law school at Syracuse University. During his speech, Biden highlighted the economic impact Micron grants would have on upstate New York. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who also spoke ahead of Biden’s remarks, claimed that the expansion would create 50,000 new jobs and make the Micron facility one of the most technologically advanced semiconductor production sites in the world.

Earlier in the week, Syracuse Police Benevolent Association spokesman Joe Moran told the Washington Examiner that it was “just wrong” for Biden to go ahead with his visit despite the community’s tragedy.

“This has probably been the worst week in our lives for each and every one of us,” he stated. “I’m shocked that President Biden says federal grants and Micron is more important than the death of two police officers.”

“Either he’s underestimating … the impact that this has had on our members or he just doesn’t care,” Moran added.

Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile, however, told the Washington Examiner that Syracuse police had not asked the White House to postpone Biden’s trip to the city, though the department voiced concerns to the Secret Service about their ability to “adequately cover” the president’s details.

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Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh asked Hochul to supply New York State Police resources to help provide security for Biden’s visit, and Hochul approved the request earlier in the week.

You can watch Biden’s remarks in full below.