The mother of murdered university student Laken Hope Riley is furious after President Joe Biden botched her daughter's name during Thursday's State of the Union.
Biden mention Riley's name for the first time Thursday night when he referred to the aspiring nurse and the 26-year-old “illegal” Venezuelan migrant who allegedly killed her. The problem? The president called her “Lincoln” – not “Laken.”
“Lincoln Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal. That's right. But how many thousands of people are being killed by legals?” the president said in an off-script moment prompted by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., shouting at Biden, “Say her name!” while he was discussing the border crisis.
“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!” Laken's mother, Allyson Phillips, wrote on Facebook in response after someone noted Biden called her “Lincoln” and said he was trying to “minimize” her murder by invoking his son Beau's death from cancer.
Former President Trump said late last month while he was at the southern border in Eagle Pass, Texas, that he had spoken to Riley's parents who are “devastated.”
“The parents are devastated, and they're incredible people,” he said. “This is a Joe Biden invasion. A Biden invasion. I call him crooked Joe… the most incompetent president we've ever had.”
“A beautiful 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia was barbarically attacked. She was on a morning run… she was a beautiful young woman,” Trump remarked. “I spoke to her parents yesterday. They are incredible people. They are devastated beyond belief. She was so beautiful in so many ways.”
Biden's reference to “illegals” infuriated many Democrats. Following the address, the head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) shared her disappointment with the Associated Press.
“I wish he hadn't engaged with Marjorie Taylor Greene and used the word illegal,” Jayapal lamented. (RELATED: Disney Resorts To Unusual Tactic To Sell Minnie Mouse Clothing To Girls)
When confronted on the use of the term “illegal” the following day, Biden doubled down.
“Well, I probably, uh, I don't regret…it, uh, technically he's not supposed to be here,” the president responded.
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