Internet compares Biden to 'dictator' as Sheetz gets sued right after POTUS was ignored during store visit

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA: People on social media have compared Joe Biden to a dictator after Sheetz was sued for discrimination. Biden made an unexpected stop at the gas station leading to an awkward situation.

In another incident, former President Donald Trump visited Chick-fil-A in Atlanta, but with a different outcome. Trump's visit was a hit as he engaged with staff and generously treated customers to 30 milkshakes and chicken, earning praise across social media platforms.

Sheetz convenience store chain faces lawsuit after Joe Biden's visit

The popular convenience store chain is facing legal action from federal officials over allegations of discrimination against minority job seekers, AP News reports. 

The lawsuit claims that Sheetz Inc, which operates over 700 stores across six states, unfairly screened out Black, Native American, and multiracial applicants based on their criminal backgrounds, as reported by AP News.

The controversy erupted after President Biden made a stop at a Sheetz gas station in Pittsburgh, only to be met with an awkward silence, save for one supporter who greeted him with a hug at the door.

Footage of Biden's visit showed him engaging in small talk with the supporter, while two children and their mother remained seated in silence, with the store's background music audible. This lack of vocal support starkly contrasted with Biden's pre-election rallies, leaving him with minimal interaction before swiftly exiting the store after just two minutes.

In response to the embarrassing incident, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit in Baltimore against Sheetz and its subsidiaries, alleging that their hiring practices disproportionately affected minority applicants and violated federal civil rights laws.

Sheetz responded to the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Company spokesperson Nick Ruffner said, "Diversity and inclusion are essential parts of who we are. We take these allegations seriously. We have attempted to work with the EEOC for nearly eight years to find common ground and resolve this dispute."

Despite being a family-run company with over 23,000 employees and locations in six states, Sheetz found itself entangled in a legal battle following Biden's visit to one of its markets in western Pennsylvania.

Federal officials made it clear that they weren't pointing fingers at Sheetz for racial bias, but they did take issue with how the company was using criminal background checks to screen job applicants. The lawsuit, filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, is all about tackling discrimination in the workplace based on race, sex, religion, and national origin.

EEOC attorney Debra M Lawrence highlighted “Federal law mandates that employment practices causing a disparate impact because of race or other protected classifications must be shown by the employer to be necessary to ensure the safe and efficient performance of the particular jobs at issue. Even when such necessity is proven, the practice remains unlawful if there is an alternative practice available that is comparably effective in achieving the employer’s goals but causes less discriminatory effect."

The EEOC initiated its investigation into Sheetz following complaints from two job applicants alleging discrimination.

The agency found that Black applicants were rejected due to failed criminal history screenings at a rate of 14.5 per cent, while multiracial and Native American applicants faced rejection rates of 13.5 per cent and 13 per cent.

In contrast, less than 8 per cent of white applicants were denied employment due to failed criminal background checks.

Despite the EEOC's efforts to mediate a settlement with Sheetz since 2022, the agency's lawsuit signifies the escalation of the legal dispute.

Internet users liken Joe Biden to a dictator

A user wrote, "Dictator doing what dictators do."

Another user wrote, "The Dems have given up trying to woo votes. They have nothing good to offer so they're trying to intimidate people into doing it."

A user commented, "Didn’t kiss the ring? It would be a shame to get a lawsuit from your government. Not kissing the ring has its consequences."

Another user commented, "We all know Biden is bad for business!!"

A user stated, "That can't be a coincidence. Crazy!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.