Biden Visit to Chicago Overshadowed by Gun Violence
Two ATF agents and one police officer were shot during an undercover operation Wednesday as the president came to Chicago to discuss his American Families plan. The shootings followed a deadly holiday weekend where 100 people were shot and 18 killed.
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Two federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and a Chicago police officer were shot during an undercover operation as President Joe Biden visited the city, reports the Wall Street Journal. The Wednesday shootings follow a deadly holiday weekend where 100 people were shot and 18 were killed. The officer’s injuries weren’t life-threatening. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said there have been 36 shootings of police officers in the city so far this year, including these three and the shootings of two other officers earlier in the week. “This is a very challenging time to be in law enforcement,” he said. Brown added that police recovered 244 illegal guns over the weekend and made 86 arrests for illegal gun possession.
President Biden was in Chicago to make his first visit since taking office to discuss his American Families Plan, says the Chicago Tribune. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden expressed personal support for the two ATF officials and the officer in a discussion with Mayor Lightfoot, as well as reiterated his commitment to working with the mayor and leaders in Chicago in the fight against gun violence. She said the President “… conveyed that the Department of Justice would soon be in touch about the strike force announced just a few weeks ago that will be working with cities like Chicago.” Biden’s Department of Justice announced an effort to target gun trafficking in major cities like New York City and Chicago, where federal authorities have said a substantial number of weapons used in crime come from other areas in the country.
