President Joe Biden thanked law enforcement after violent protesters clashed with police Wednesday night.
Arrests were made outside of the Democratic National Committee's headquarters in Washington after a crowd of 150 protesters illegally gathered and then blocked the entrance while calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
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Though some Democrats in Congress have also called for a ceasefire, many sought to distance themselves from the protesters afterward, including a coalition of Democratic House leadership, Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL), and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), who thanked police and said the "pro-Hamas demonstrators" could help Republicans win in 2024.
The president and first lady Jill Biden called into a DNC and campaign staff meeting Thursday to share their condolences and concerns, according to the White House. The Bidens expressed their appreciation for law enforcement for keeping people inside the building safe, including several members of Congress. They also thanked DNC staffers, wished them a Happy Thanksgiving, and told them to take care of each other.
While there were no injuries inside the DNC building, that was not true of all of the police on the scene. Six officers were injured, with some suffering minor cuts, some pepper sprayed, and at least one punched during the altercation. One person was charged with assaulting an officer.
This is currently happening outside the DNC headquarters in Washington.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 16, 2023
Far-left pro-Palestine rioter are clashing with police trying to enter the building.
pic.twitter.com/5jdeDZV2hP
"We appreciate our officers who kept these illegal & violent protesters back & protected everyone in the area," U.S. Capitol Police posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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Joe Biden has sought to distance himself from far-left elements of his party on other occasions, notably saying the police should be funded rather than defunded during the 2022 State of the Union address.
"We should all agree the answer is not to defund the police," Biden said. "It’s to fund the police. Fund them. Fund them. Fund them with the resources and training — resources and training they need to protect our communities."