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“This is a national emergency,” he said.
After speaking for about 10 minutes, Biden unexpectedly said he’d take questions. Several centered on his upcoming trip to Kenosha, where the police shooting of Jacob Blake has led to unrest.
He said he hoped to bring people together to heal, contending that’s not what the president has done.
“I believe the vast majority of the community, writ large, as well as law enforcement, want to straighten things out, not inflame them, but this president keeps throwing gas on the fire,” Biden said.
Asked whether he should be making such trips more, Biden said he is trying to set an example by not holding large events, staying socially distanced and always wearing a mask, something he said he thinks is patriotic.
“When I find these people talking about ‘my freedom,’ I talk about patriotism. Why do you wear a mask? To protect your neighbor. This is the United States of America. Every generation has made sacrifices to help others in times of crisis,” he said.
After about half an hour, Biden prepared to leave the podium but stopped to answer a question from a Fox News reporter, even though, he said, “you always ask a hostile question.”
The question, though — why Biden didn’t end his own campaign rallies before March — just gave Biden another opportunity to unload on the president.
The Trump campaign responded that Biden should have, but didn’t, call on congressional Democrats to pass a $100 billion in aid for COVID-19 the president has requested.