Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley responded to President Biden’s remarks on Monday. Biden indirectly criticized Haley during an event in her home state, South Carolina, where he did not specifically mention slavery as the cause of the Civil War.
During a town hall event in Des Moines, Iowa, moderated by Fox News hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, Haley criticized Biden for holding a political event at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. This church was the site of a racially motivated mass shooting in 2015.
Haley found Biden’s presence at the church offensive, especially given his past associations with segregationists and history of making racist comments. She expressed her frustration, saying, “I don’t need someone who palled around with segregationists in the ’70s and has said racist comments all the way through his career lecturing me or anyone in South Carolina about what it means to have racism, slavery, or anything related to the Civil War.”
Haley found Biden’s presence at the church offensive
Biden had previously reminisced about his interactions with segregationists during his time in the US Senate, which included having lunch with them despite disagreeing with their views. Haley’s criticism also referenced Biden’s past remarks, such as describing then-Sen. Barack Obama in 2007 as “the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”
Biden later clarified his stance on the Civil War, stating unequivocally that slavery was its cause. Despite this, Haley’s campaign pointed to various instances of Biden’s past comments, including his opposition to court-ordered busing in the 1970s and his gaffes regarding race.
Haley called for Biden to be “fired” over his handling of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization. Austin checked into the hospital without informing the White House, and his duties were transferred to his deputy secretary, who was on vacation at the time. Haley criticized Biden’s lack of communication and awareness regarding Austin’s situation, calling it “unbelievable” and highlighting the flaws in the administration’s response.
Both the White House and the Pentagon confirmed that Austin resumed his duties after his hospitalization.
