Politicians and celebrities reacted after a graphic video was released of the brutal encounter between five police officers and 29-year-old black man Tyre Nichols who died after being beaten and kicked earlier this month in Memphis, Tennessee.
As angry protesters swarmed streets in Memphis and multiple other U.S. cities in what could be a sequel to the violent George Floyd “summer of love” in 2020, numerous top Democrats along with self-styled NBA race philosopher LeBron James took to Twitter with their takes which will likely only serve to further fan the flames.
One location where protests took place was New York City and Mayor Eric Adams, who is a former police officer, spoke out prior to the release of the explosive footage.
“As a human being, I am devastated. As a mayor, I am outraged. And as someone who spent decades fighting for police diversity and against police abuse, I feel betrayed by these officers,” Hizzoner said in a video statement. ” … I have been a police officer, and I have been a victim of police abuse. I know the impact of it. When my brother and I were beaten as young men in the basement of a police station by officers, I was angry. I refused to trust the system.”
As a human being, I am devastated. As a mayor, I am outraged. And as someone who spent decades fighting for police diversity and against police abuse, I feel betrayed.
My heart goes out to Tyre Nichols’ family, friends and the people of Memphis. pic.twitter.com/HwHT40WeU4
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 27, 2023
President Joe Biden issued a statement expressing his condolences to Nichols’ family, also calling for Congress to pass police reforms while exploiting racial divisions, the bread and butter of the career politician who has rarely passed up an opportunity to present himself as the champion of the oppressed.
“Like so many, I was outraged and deeply pained to see the horrific video of the beating that resulted in Tyre Nichols’ death,” Biden said. “It is yet another painful reminder of the profound fear and trauma, the pain, and the exhaustion that Black and Brown Americans experience every single day.”
My heart goes out to Tyre Nichols’ family and to Americans in Memphis and across the country who are grieving this tremendously painful loss. There are no words to describe the heartbreak and grief of losing a beloved child and young father.⁰⁰Here's my full statement. pic.twitter.com/ghROhSGtao
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 28, 2023
Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement urging lawmakers to “act with urgency” to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
Tyre Nichols should have made it home to his family. Yet tonight, once again, America mourns a life brutally cut short at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve.
I join President Biden in his call for accountability and transparency. Read my full statement. pic.twitter.com/3c2Aq3M3Xu
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) January 28, 2023
“The brutal and violent killing of Tyre Nichols by officers sworn to protect the community is unconscionable,” wrote House Democrat leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York. “Justice for Tyre Nichols must be swift and complete.”
The brutal and violent killing of Tyre Nichols by officers sworn to protect the community is unconscionable.
Justice for Tyre Nichols must be swift and complete.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) January 28, 2023
King James responded to a tweet by Brittany Packnett Cunningham, a member of the deep bench of MSNBC race-baiters who wrote “we’ve failed to fully understand race and it’s construction as a *systemic tool*” and that “The entire system of policing sees the Black body as a problem. No matter who pulls the trigger,” in a rebooting of the Democrat war on cops.
“TOO FACTUAL!!!” LeBron exclaimed.
TOO FACTUAL!!! https://t.co/Om43WiAzrN
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 28, 2023
“WE ARE OUR OWN WORSE ENEMY!!!” wrote the grammatically challenged billionaire Los Angeles Lakers superstar who has been one of the chief pot-stirrers when it comes to sowing seeds of animosity toward police.
WE ARE OUR OWN WORSE ENEMY!!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 28, 2023
“We stand by the rightful arrest of all officers involved,” the National Basketball Players Association said in a statement “Such aggressive and excessive force illustrates the continued need for accountability in the justice system.”
A statement from the NBPA. #JusticeForTyre
🔗: https://t.co/FHZfUh2u9A pic.twitter.com/lilsGNxHqP
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) January 28, 2023
Despite keeping a relatively low profile since he was walloped by Biden in the 2020 Democratic Party primaries, avowed socialist and agitator Sen. Bernie Sanders crawled out of his hole to play the race card despite all of the officers who beat Nichols being black.
Tyre Nichols should be alive. Yes, the police officers who brutally murdered him must be held accountable. But even their conviction on the strongest possible charges cannot bring Tyre back. We must do everything in our power to end police violence against people of color.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 28, 2023
“Tyre Nichols should be alive. Yes, the police officers who brutally murdered him must be held accountable,” Comrade Bernie said on Twitter. “But even their conviction on the strongest possible charges cannot bring Tyre back. We must do everything in our power to end police violence against people of color.”
Also chiming in was Sen. Sanders’s prized disciple, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Tyre Nichols should be alive. Charges alone aren’t justice. Change is.
At least 1,176 people were killed by law enforcement last year – a record. Billions in trainings, body cams, and reforms haven’t stopped it. In fact, it’s gotten worse. We must grow out of this cycle together
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 28, 2023
AOC’s fellow Squad member, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) ripped the now-former police officers who killed Nichols.
Let’s call this footage what it is—murder. There must be full accountability for the officers involved, but that is not enough. Policy failures need policy solutions. Starting with the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act we need a public safety system that actually keeps us safe
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 28, 2023
“It’s heartbreaking to watch the murder of Tyre. These murderous cowards betrayed their oath to serve and protect and must be held accountable,” she tweeted, also calling for congressional action. “Let’s call this footage what it is—murder. There must be full accountability for the officers involved, but that is not enough. Policy failures need policy solutions. Starting with the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act we need a public safety system that actually keeps us safe.”
Unable to resist jumping on the outrage bandwagon was California Gov. Gavin Newsom who is eying a White House bid if Biden’s classified documents scandal forces him to forego his reelection campaign.
“Tyre Nichols should be alive today,” tweeted the Sacramento slickster.
Tyre Nichols should be alive today.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 28, 2023
Unlike the 2020 mayhem which erupted after Floyd, who died after his encounter with white Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin, there is no racial component this time as Nichols and all of the officers who beat him were black, but that will likely do little to prevent a repeat as calls for peace are few and far between.
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Chris Donaldson is an ordinary American who is concerned about rampant corruption as well as the ongoing attacks on our way of life by those who have contempt for our hard-earned freedoms. A Navy veteran, he has been a frequent contributor to conservative websites and resides in Florida.
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