GOP Leaders Slam Biden’s Apology for Describing Laken Riley Murder Suspect as ‘Illegal’

Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson said the president should apologize for walking back his use of the term.

President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address during a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 7, 2024. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) have sharply criticized President Joe Biden’s public apology for using the word “illegal” to refer to the man accused of Laken Riley’s murder.

During his State of the Union address last week, President Biden used the term “illegal” in reference to Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who is accused of attacking Ms. Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student, and brutally beating her to death.