President Joe Biden greets the crowd after delivering the keynote address at the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Conn., June 16, 2023. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
President Joe Biden’s closing statement following his keynote speech at the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford on Friday has come into question.
During his last few seconds on the stage at the summit, Biden said “God Save the Queen, man” to a crowd made up mostly of gun reform activists, gun violence survivors and families of shooting victims.
Biden traveled to West Hartford on Friday to celebrate one year since the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun law passed by Congress in 30 years.
After his statement stirred questions and was trending on social media, a spokesperson for the White House said Friday evening that the president was responding to someone in the crowd when he made the comment.
“He couldn’t do the full ropeline due to weather, and was commenting to someone in the crowd,” White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton said via email.
Before his statement, the president told the crowd that his team had informed him of incoming inclement weather that would keep him from mingling. He stayed for about 10 minutes after finishing his keynote speech to talk with attendees and pose for a few photos.
President Joe Biden greets the crowd after delivering the keynote address at the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Conn., June 16, 2023. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
President Joe Biden address the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Conn., June 16, 2023. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy greets President Joe Biden as Biden takes the stage to address the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Conn., June 16, 2023. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
President Joe Biden address the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Conn., June 16, 2023. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
President Joe Biden address the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Conn., June 16, 2023. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
President Joe Biden gestures as he addresses the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Conn., June 16, 2023. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
FILE – President Joe Biden speaks at the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn., Friday, June 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 16: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford on June 16, 2023 in West Hartford, Connecticut. Biden addressed the continued gun violence epidemic in the United States. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
The first protesters arrive at the University of Hartford Friday morning for the National Safer Communities Summit where President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak later.
President Joe Biden address the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Conn., June 16, 2023. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
President Joe Biden greets the crowd after delivering the keynote address at the National Safer Communities Summit at the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Conn., June 16, 2023. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
The president left the University of Hartford shortly after to travel to Greenwich for a fundraiser to support his campaign for reelection. According to the White House, Air Force One touched down in Westchester, New York, about 5 p.m.
Dalton issued the statement about his remarks via email around 5:30 p.m.
Biden’s critics were quick to question the statement, which followed his speech calling for bans on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, universal background checks and safe storage requirements.
