President Joe Biden made headlines at a New Hampshire rally when he called for President Donald Trump to be “locked up” before quickly attempting to walk back the statement.
Biden’s comment came during a speech about Trump’s plans for the federal government, but it was his suggestion to lock up Trump that stole the spotlight.
Biden criticized Trump’s desire to eliminate government agencies and civil servants, and then, seemingly out of frustration, said, “We gotta lock him up.” The crowd responded with applause, but Biden immediately tried to soften his words, clarifying, “Politically lock him out.”
The moment went viral on social media, where many accused Biden of calling for Trump’s prosecution. This echoed Trump’s 2016 campaign, when he was criticized for leading chants of “lock her up” about Hillary Clinton.
Vice President Kamala Harris has been working to quell similar rhetoric at her rallies, urging her supporters to focus on defeating Trump through the election rather than legal action.
As Biden’s latest gaffe circulates online, it has sparked renewed discussions about his messaging and its impact on his campaign.
