2 years ago
President Joe Biden and the first lady are scheduled to travel to Uvalde, Texas, on Sunday, the White House said, to “grieve with the community” after a gunman killed 19 children and two adults at an elementary school this week.
The president will meet with community leaders, religious leaders and victims’ families over the weekend, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during Thursday’s briefing.
“The president and first lady believe it is important to show their support for the community during this devastating time and to be there for the families of the victims,” she said.
Biden, who has lost two children, is often known for his empathy during tragedies. The president’s trip also comes as pressure builds on Washington to respond with concrete action to the latest string of mass shootings, “carnage” Biden has said he is “sick and tired” of.
It will be his second trip to a community rocked by gun violence in less than two weeks. Biden visited Buffalo on March 17 to visit the scene of a racist massacre at a grocery store.
Jean-Pierre said, as a parent, Tuesday’s shooting is “unfathomable” to her, and echoed the president’s calls for action this week.
“We cannot become numb to this. We will not accept this. A grocery store, a church, an elementary school, and this is just in the last few days,” she said. “It’s time for Congress to act.”
English (US)