Tyre Nichols’ family speaks with Biden ahead of expected video release
President Biden met with Tire Nichols’ mother and stepfather on Friday afternoon, according to the White House.
The calls were made hours before Memphis officials were expected Police release body camera footage of the violent arrest that led to the death of a black man.
According to the White House, Biden offered condolences from himself and the First Lady during a phone call with Lowvaughan Wells and Rodney Wells.
“During the meeting, the president praised his family for their courage and strength,” the statement said.
As the president leaves the White House for Camp David Friday night, he told reporters that he would urge Congress to pass federal police reform, known as the Federal Police Reform. Justice for George Floyd in Police LawBiden is expected to extradite him State of the Union address before Congress next month.
“We need to get this under control,” Biden said.
The president said he spoke with Lowvaughan Wells for 10 to 15 minutes and was pleased with her call for peaceful protests caused by the release of police footage.
“She’s obviously in a lot of pain,” Biden said. “…I told her that I had some idea of what her loss was like. I can’t believe it now, but it seems that the memory of him made her smile more than her tears.” The time will come.”
Biden’s first wife and daughter died in a car accident in 1972, and son Beau Biden died of a brain tumor in 2015.
White House Press Secretary Carine Jean-Pierre said on Friday that Biden was briefed about the video footage but had not seen it. Nichols’ family and authorities have described the incident as a brutal encounter, and five fired Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder in the incident.
At the Justice Department, FBI Director Christopher Wray told reporters he had seen the footage.
“What happened in Memphis is clearly tragic,” said Ray. “I’ve seen the video myself. I’m appalled. I’m struggling to find stronger words, but I can only say I was appalled.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tyre-nichols-joe-biden-speaks-to-family/ Tyre Nichols’ family speaks with Biden ahead of expected video release