Allyson Phillips, the grieving mother of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, publicly chastised President Joe Biden for mistakenly addressing her daughter as “Lincoln Riley” during his State of the Union speech. On Facebook, she expressed her frustration, writing, “Biden does not even KNOW my child’s name – it’s pathetic!”
“If you are going to say her name (even when forced to do so) at least say the right name!” she added. Phillips also wrote “Amen!” underneath a comment calling 81-year-old Biden “a disgrace of a president.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-Ga.) passionately shouted during Biden’s speech, “Say her name!” in reference to Riley. The president’s swift retort followed: “I know how to say her name.”
“Lincoln — Lincoln Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal,” he added.
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President Biden did not apologize for the gaffe during his State of the Union speech. However, in an interview with MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart, he expressed regret for using the term “illegal” to describe Jose Antonio Ibarra, the Venezuelan migrant responsible for the attack and murder of 22-year-old Riley. Biden acknowledged his mistake, stating, “I shouldn’t have used ‘illegal’; it’s ‘undocumented’.”
About Laken Riley Act:
The Laken Riley Act is legislation introduced in the 118th Congress (2023-2024). Named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who tragically lost her life, this act aims to address issues related to immigration and crime.
Additionally, the Laken Riley Act includes provisions urging President Biden to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy and requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to issue detainers and assume custody of migrants involved in theft-related crimes upon illegal entry into the United States.
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