'Performative outrage': Internet divided as Mike Johnson calls Joe Biden an ‘embarrassment’ for apology to Laken Riley murder suspect

WASHINGTON, DC: President Biden was denounced by House Speaker Mike Johnson and called an "embarrassment" for ostensibly offering an apology to the suspected killer of Laken Riley rather than the family of the deceased nursing student. 

Johnson wrote on his official X account on Sunday, March 10, "The president is cowering to his base and showing deference to a man who deserves none. This man is an illegal immigrant who brutally murdered Laken Riley. President Biden should be apologizing to Laken’s family. What an embarrassment," the New York Post reported.

House Speaker Mike Johnson calls Joe Biden an ‘embarrassment’

Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene reportedly pushed Joe Biden to condemn Riley's death by "an illegal" during an unexpected moment in his State of the Union speech on Thursday, March 7.

Later, in an interview with Janathan Capehart, the President regreted his statement and said that he should have used the term "undocumented" to characterize Jose Ibarra, a citizen of Venezuela, who has been accused of killing Riley, an Augusta University nursing student who was murdered when out for a run on the University of Georgia campus in February.

Notably, Ibarra was allowed into the United States for additional processing in September 2022 after crossing the border unlawfully close to El Paso, Texas, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. About a year later, he was detained and then freed in New York City on charges of allegedly endangering a child.

In October 2023, months before Riley was killed, Ibarra and his brother received citations for stealing in Georgia, according to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

In addition to the misdemeanor of physically impeding a 911 call, Ibarra has reportedly been accused of malice murder, murder, abduction, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and concealing the death of another. The affidavit was submitted on February 23. Charge sheets claim that Ibarra is responsible for 'disfiguring' Riley's cranium.

Internet divided as House Speaker Mike Johnson calls Joe Biden an ‘embarrassment’

People on the internet had mixed reactions as House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled President Biden an "embarrassment". A user on X wrote, "Pathetic. Just pathetic," while one added, "Sadly the entire base of his administration could care less about Laken. The Biden administration is so bad for the United States."

Moreover, a person stated, "This is not true, just more misinformation, political propaganda. I heard him and he corrected his comment from illegal to undocumented to be politically correct. No apology!" while one mentioned, "House Speaker Johnson is responsible for the border remaining open so that’s a tad hypocritical."

One user wrote, "And Mike Johnson is experienced in cowering!" while another added, "Show me where he apologized to the killer. More performative outrage from the MAGA crew."

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.