President Trump recognized the mother and sister of Laken Riley, who were in attendance during his address to the joint session of Congress Tuesday, and blamed the Biden administration’s policies for her death.
“Laken was stolen from us by a savage, illegal alien gang member who was arrested while trespassing across Biden’s southern border and then sent to the United States under the heartless policies of that failed administration,” the commander in chief said.
“It was indeed a failed administration.”
Allyson Phillips, Riley’s mom, along with Lauren Phillips, her sister, were in the House gallery for Trump’s address.
Trump recounted how he signed the Laken Riley Act to ratchet up immigration enforcement against illegal immigrants who partake in theft-related crimes.
“Last year, I told Laken’s grieving parents that we would ensure their daughter would not have died in vain,” the president recounted. “That’s why the very first bill I signed into law as your 47th president mandates the detention of all dangerous criminal aliens who threaten public safety. It’s very strong.”
