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Houston Police: Three Officers "Ambushed And Shot From Behind; FDA Panel Unanimously Recommends J&J Booster Shots; Former White House Adviser: Price Controls Won't Stifle Drug Innovation; U.K. Police: Fatal Stabbing Of Lawmaker A "Terrorist Incident"; President Biden Honors Fallen Police Officers. Airead 12-1p ET

Aired October 16, 2021 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[12:00:22]

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST (on camera): Hello again, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. We begin this hour with a somber memorial about to get underway, just shy of the U.S. Capitol right there at the steps.

You're looking at live pictures right now, where President Biden will attend this memorial to honor law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. And when, of course, the president speaks we'll take you there live again.

Meantime, the president is looking for a way to move his sweeping spending plans through Congress.

Daniella Diaz is on Capitol Hill for us. But first, let's begin with Joe Johns at the White House.

So, Joe, what -- wait, what can we expect to hear from the president as he attends that memorial service?

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, Fred, the president's trip to Capitol Hill is significant on several different levels. Number one, we have the continuing tragedy of U.S. Capitol Police officers who were killed or injured as a result of the January 6th riots.

The president, to some extent, has already addressed that, but likely to talk about it again today. There are some other things, I think, you have to say, number one, every time a law enforcement officer in this country falls, you're reminded of the danger involved and inherent in the job.

Joe Biden, by the way, has always been considered a friend of law enforcement. In fact, very much so when he was in the United States Senate. But that has not helped him push through the police reforms -- the George Floyd, police reform legislative initiatives that stalled back in September.

One question, of course, will be when and whether the president will announce any executive action to try to move in the direction of those goals. Fred.

WHITFIELD: And then, Joe, I mean, surely the president is not going to be talking about this, you know, while at the memorial service and talking about, you know, the compromising, and the negotiation of these bills on Capitol Hill.

But, is there anything you can share with us in terms of what the White House is willing to say about his plans this weekend? How he is going to try and move the needle, so to speak, on getting his agenda through?

JOHNS: Right, there is a continuing struggle up on Capitol Hill that we're all aware of. The president and Democrats trying to push through in one form or another, that humongous social safety net initiative that the president is pushing.

What we know is the president has started to scale back some of these expectations, while still indicating optimism, saying he believes something is going to get through. The question is, what will have to be thrown out of this package in order to get the votes? Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm convinced we're going to get to this done. I'm convinced we're going to get it done. We're not going to get $3.5 trillion. We'll get less than that, but we're going to get it. And we're going to come back and get the rest.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNS: Colleagues at CNN reporting state of play up on Capitol Hill is that is very possible Democrats will have to throw out the clean energy initiatives that the president has been pushing in order to get satisfaction, at least, from Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, key moderate who is just not going for it.

Fred, back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, Joe Johns, thank you so much. Let's talk more about that growing feud within the Democratic Party that is just showing how wide perhaps the divide is among Democrats.

Senator Joe Manchin is pushing back on criticism from Senator Bernie Sanders as Democrats struggle to pass the president's massive spending plan.

CNN's Daniella Diaz is live for us now on Capitol Hill. So, what more can you tell us about this war of words now between these two senators?

DANIELLA DIAZ, CNN CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER: Fred, things really escalated yesterday. When Senator Bernie Sanders published an op-ed in the biggest newspaper in West Virginia, Senator Joe Manchin's home state, of course, basically urging his constituents to support the $3.5 trillion price tag for this massive economic bill that Joe was just talking about that would expand the nation's social safety net.

Now, Senator Joe Manchin did not appreciate that one bit. He actually fought back with a statement last night. Pretty strong words, I'm going to read it here for you. This is what he said.

"This isn't the first time an out-of-stater has tried to tell West Virginians what is best for them despite having no relationship to our state. Congress should proceed with caution on any additional spending and I will not vote for a reckless expansion of government programs. No op-ed from a self-declared Independent socialist is going to change that."

Really strong words there from Senator Joe Manchin. Now, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer really puts this next week as -- says it's a pivotal moment for Democrats to try to get united behind this massive economic bill.

[12:05:04]

Now, the problem here is, of course, and why Bernie Sanders put this op-ed in West Virginia paper in the first place is Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Kyrsten Sinema do not agree with the top line of $3.5 trillion for this bill.

So, now, what's happening now? Well, they're going to have to pare back some of these provisions in the bill that they've already written that would cost $3.5 trillion.

And one of them being, of course, Manchin does not agree with the greenhouse gas emissions -- slashing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This is a major sticking point, perhaps, the biggest sticking point for Manchin in saying it concerns his constituents in his own state.

And as Joe Manchin, you know, the clean electricity performance program, which is a cornerstone climate policy and Democrats' massive bill will likely have to be dropped from this legislation because Senator Joe Manchin does not agree with it.

And of course, as I said earlier, the $3.5 trillion price tag does not -- they don't like that price tag, they want to pare it down. You know, Manchin has said want between one to $1.5 trillion, but progressives want more. And that's the problem here. They cannot agree, Fred.

And until they agree, well, it's unlikely that this package will pass, but they're working on it.

WHITFIELD: All right.

DIAZ: That's what, you know, we keep reporting out. Fred?

WHITFIELD: Someone is going to have to give, right? And that is to be determined who, if anyone, will that be? Daniella Diaz, thank you so much for that on Capitol Hill.

All right, right now, a manhunt is underway after one officer was killed and two others injured in a shooting outside a Houston sports bar. Investigators say the shooter came out of nowhere and ambush two of those officers as they tried to detain a potential robbery suspect.

The third officer was wounded after running to the scene. A person of interest is in custody, but it's unclear whether that is the suspected shooter. CNN's Jean Casarez, joining us now. Jean, what more are you learning?

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): What we've learned is that the deputy that actually was killed this morning in the attack has been taken to the medical examiner's office in Houston, the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office.

We also know that according to the police department that what happened was these officers that were already there, they were doing a police-related extra job. That they heard something was happening in the parking lot, they went out there. They believe they had their man, they had him on the ground to arrest him or detain him, so obviously, their backs are up.

Someone came behind a car with a rifle and started shooting at them. One officer succumbed to his injuries, the other shot in the back, a third officer that came out was also shot.

Just to look at the human aspect of all of this. One of those surviving officers that was about to go into surgery this morning. I want you to listen to the Constable Mark Herman of the Houston Police Department, as he relates what that officer waiting to go into surgery this morning learned.

MARK HERMAN, CONSTABLE, HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT FOUR: He found out laying bleeding out on a gurney that his buddy had just been with was deceased. And but I can tell you, all three of them, they work the same area. They're good friends. They -- it's just -- it's just a complete tragedy is what it is.

CASAREZ: And it is so ironic, as you just profiled a minute ago, this has been National Police Week in Washington, D.C. The Houston police chief is actually in D.C. And our President Joe Biden is about to speak.

And it was just this week the Houston police chief lit a candle for those officers that had fallen in Houston between 2019 and 2020, five officers in the line of duty were killed.

And now, he experiences this on the morning that he is in celebrating and remembering those other officers.

WHITFIELD: You're right, the irony is there, what will be the National Peace Officers Memorial today right there on Capitol Hill. Jean Casarez, thank you so much.

All right, coming up. If you got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, listen up. A Food and Drug Administration panel of experts now says you should get a second J&J shot to ensure better protection from coronavirus. [12:09:14]

WHITFIELD: But why wasn't it a two-shot vaccine from the very beginning? We'll talk about that next.

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WHITFIELD (voice-over): All right, welcome back. This just in. The president of the United States, Joe Biden, and the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden with their hands at heart. They are just arriving at the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, which was about to get underway there on Capitol Hill.

This is a ceremony and memorial service to honor law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2019 and 2020. Momentarily, the president will be speaking and, of course, we'll take his remarks live.

WHITFIELD (on camera): All right. Right now the FDA is making a big change to its recommendation of the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine. It's no longer a one-and-done. A booster shot is now being recommended.

The FDA's advisors voted unanimously to recommend a booster shot to everyone 18 and over who received their last shot at least two months ago. That same committee agreed to emergency use authorization of a Moderna booster.

The moves come as new data shows what we already knew, deaths from COVID are almost all among the unvaccinated.

Let's bring in Dr. Zeke Emanuel. He is an oncologist and a former White House health policy adviser in the Obama administration. So, good to see you, Zeke.

Dr. ZEKE EMANUEL, FORMER WHITE HOUSE HEALTH POLICY ADVISER: Good to be here.

WHITFIELD: So, what's your point of view here when people got that J&J, Johnson and Johnson vaccine, they thought one I'm protected. Yes, the efficacy rate was lower. But they thought it was just one and that's it.

And now the idea of getting a booster shot, do you feel like that was a mistake to call it a one-shot wonder. Should it have been two from the very beginning?

[12:15:04]

EMANUEL: Well, this is science and we're learning more, and this is a very, very new situation.

So, I don't think anyone, you know, should have taken one and done as definitive for all time. We are learning. I mean, and many of us commented, durability was a key issue. We have seen that there are more breakthroughs with people who got Johnson and Johnson. And I think the booster suggestion between two and six months is important.

But what's interesting is the FDA didn't actually -- when it looked at what's the right booster for Johnson and Johnson, consider the other data that it reviewed yesterday. The data from the NIH about mixing Johnson and Johnson, maybe with a Pfizer or Moderna shot as the second shot.

That seems to be even better. And hopefully, next week, when the CDC looks at it, they will consider that alternative. It may be that getting the Johnson and Johnson first and Pfizer or Madonna second, may be your best option of all.

WHITFIELD: Wow. So, what's your expectation of how people who got the J&J might be feeling this morning after hearing this news?

EMANUEL: Well, I think they should be feeling this is the way it goes. And I'll have to get a second shot it, you know, I don't think it's a huge inconvenience or a huge problem. If they had to do it every two or six months. That would be a problem. But I think a second shot is in the offing. The real question for them is which second shot?

WHITFIELD: All right. These vaccines have been made available, free for mostly everybody, right? And President Biden is putting in mandates where he can -- there's some states are now fighting him on that.

From a policy point of view, what do you believe the president can do about the roughly one-third of American adults who are not vaccinated? How is he, this White House going to make it appealing?

EMANUEL: Yes, so, let's make a few points. The first is, as you just suggested, the big issue is not the boosters for people who are already vaccinated. In terms of controlling the entire pandemic, it's really the unvaccinated people, the 70 million Americans who don't haven't gotten vaccinated need to get vaccinated.

I think that there are several things the administration can do. First, mandate vaccines for flying over the holidays, really important. And I'm really surprised that they haven't done that.

Second, when we get full ability to vaccinate kids between five and seven, work with states to mandate that in states that kids going into school get vaccinated, that will take care of a lot of people. And that will be very, very important.

And then, the president has to work even more assiduously, he's already doing a pretty good job, but more assiduously, with companies to get them to vaccinate people, we have seen mandated companies work across the board. And pushing those companies further, I think is important.

And the last point I would make it is OSHA, the government agency responsible for safety in the workplace, needs to come out with its regulations for workplaces and for all those government contractors getting the mandates. And that will be very, very important because almost every industry, certainly big companies contract with the government -- the federal government. And getting them to mandate their workers get vaccinated is another way of expanding the circle of the vaccinated people in this country.

We were way ahead. We were like the number three country in the world, Israel, the U.K., the U.S., and now we're way behind. Almost every country in Europe has got more people vaccinated than we do. And that's a very sad commentary on our population.

WHITFIELD: Now, let me get your perspective with your White House, you know, advisory. You know, hat back on to especially as it pertains to these bills on Capitol Hill, the ongoing negotiations to get the president's agenda moving forward. You wrote an op-ed, about simplifying government, and how you believe these two sides who are wrangling over what to keep in and what to, you know, take out of these measures should be doing?

How do you get, particularly within the Democratic Party, how do you get them to see eye to eye when they're representing the majority in both Houses and in the White House? And now, the President's agenda, you know, is hanging in the balance, mostly because of Democrats not seeing eye to eye?

EMANUEL: Yes, I think this is one of the situations where just a few people can really upset the applecart. I think with Joe Manchin, it's much clearer what he wants and what he doesn't want. With Senator Sinema from Arizona, it's much less clear what she wants and doesn't want, and getting some clarity on that is going to be really important.

[12:20:01]

EMANUEL: And I do think that we all have to be willing to compromise. We're not going to get everything.

But spending $2 trillion on things that the country needs -- universal childcare, better subsidies for people in the exchanges, and drug price regulation, getting, you know, free community college to people, paid time off when a new child comes. All of those are really important for a modern world, we have seen that. Every other country can do it, we should be able to do it.

And that certainly is affordable for $2 trillion. And I think that's where we're going to have to go. $2 trillion is a lot of money to spend on social services. And doing it wisely, I think, and part of what my point is wisely means simple.

So, we're not spending a lot of money on administrate, and seeing who qualifies, and just getting people the benefits they need is really important.

WHITFIELD: Speaking of not always affordable, drug prices, this has been a major issue for Americans for years. Even President Trump, you know, trying to bring some prices down for years. You know, the argument that if you regulate drug prices, it will stifle innovation. Where are you on this?

EMANUEL: Well, it's irrelevant where Zeke Emanuel is. We have a study, we've had a number of studies on this. And they show that, you know, if you look at the drug price regulation bill, that's being considered. And it's going to bring down prices, around 10 or so percent, $50 billion out of $500 billion that we spend a year on drugs, that's not going to certainly over the next decade dent innovation.

We're not going to have two drugs out of 200 drugs that would otherwise be approved. That's less than one percent of drugs not happening. And in the next decade, 2030 to 2040, we would probably see 23 drugs, maybe five percent of all drugs that would be developed won't be developed. That's obviously a lot more speculative it's way far out there.

Remember, drug companies make their money by innovation. They have a lot of incentives to innovate and reducing prices a little bit, so more Americans can afford their drugs, take them on time, not cut the pills in half. That's really important for the overall health of the country. And that I think has to be our goal.

So, reducing drug prices does not sacrifice innovation, and gets more people taking their medications so that they don't impose other costs on the healthcare system. That's a doable proposition. And it's a win, win, win. And that's, I think, the way we should go.

WHITFIELD: Dr. Zeke Emanuel, always good to see you. Thanks so much for being with us today.

EMANUEL: It's been my pleasure. Thanks for having me.

WHITFIELD: Excellent. Be well.

WHITFIELD (voice-over): All right. Again, now, live pictures at Capitol Hill. The president and first lady right there during this National Peace Officers' Memorial Service. We'll take his remarks as soon as it happens. Stay with us.

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[12:27:27]

WHITFIELD (on camera): A horrifying attack in the U.K. Police formally declaring the fatal stabbing of British lawmaker David Amess an act of terrorism. He was attacked yesterday while meeting with voters from his electoral district.

His death marking a dark moment in Britain's political history as the second slaying of a sitting lawmaker there in five years. Labor Member of Parliament Jo Cox was murdered by a man with extreme right-wing views back in 2016.

CNN's Salma Abdelaziz joins me now from the scene in England. Selma, tell us what you're learning. SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER (on camera): Fredricka, I'm just in front of the church here where Sir David Amess, this Conservative M.P. was doing what his friends and colleagues tell us he loved doing the most. Meeting with members of the public, speaking to them about their issues, trying to solve problems for his community.

And it's while he was doing that work that this 25-year-old man entered that church behind me here and stabbed Sir David multiple times. Unfortunately, although ambulance service and police rushed to the scene, it was too late. And he did lose his life inside that church on Friday.

And we arrived last night and started immediately, of course, speaking to people who knew him, and they described him as a devoted public servant, a family man, a father of five.

I spoke to one of his friends who told me if you wanted something done, you spoke to David, and you can bet your bottom dollar, it would be done. So, this is a community mourning, not just the loss of a politician, because Amess had served in politics for nearly 40 years, Fredricka, but really somebody who was seen as a leader in the community.

Somebody who stood up for animal welfare, who tried to hear the issues of the day for the people right here. And of course, in a very brutal fashion, midday, inside a church, doing his job, he was murdered.

What do we know about the suspect? Well, we know that he is in custody, arrested right now, of course, on suspicion of murder. Counterterrorism police are leading the investigation and say that there are potential links to terrorism -- Islamic terrorism, with this 25-year-old suspect.

And already this community, of course, in shock, trying to come to terms with what's happened. But this is so much bigger than just this one incident, Fredricka because as you said, this is the second time here that an incident like this has happened.

Second lawmaker killed in just five years in this very brutal fashion.

[12:29:56]

Already, we're hearing from politicians up and down in the country who say, democracy in this country is what was threatened yesterday, and they are concerned about their ability to do their job safely.

WHITFIELD: Terribly sad and horrible. Selma Abdelaziz, thank you so much for that update. And stay with us. We will be right back.

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WHITFIELD: Right now underway, the National Peace Officers Memorial Service taking place there, right there in the shadow of the Capitol, there on Capitol Hill in the nation's Capitol you see behind the representative with the Metropolitan Police Department who's speaking.

[12:35:10]

You see there, President Joe Biden and First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden all have gathered there, including the FBI Director and members of Congress, and family members of the 491 men and women who are being honored today. They all represent law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty in 2019 and 2020. The President also ordered a proclamation, ordering flags to be flown at half-staff at public buildings. Let's listen in now, to the introduction of the President.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We mourn with each of you. And we express our heartfelt gratitude and respect for your loved ones courage, dedication, and sacrifice.

It has been said that a person only dies when their name is no longer spoken. As each of these names are read today, let us take comfort in knowing that their sacrifice will be forever remembered as they take their place of honor among those who've gone before us.

Later today, when you place the rose upon the wreath in honor of your loved one, take a moment to remember the life they lived and the passion that they lived it with. And as the final salute is rendered, reflect not on their absence, but on the love and laughter you've shared with one another. Our fallen heroes would not want to be remembered any other way.

And as you leave here today, take the time to share stories with one another about your mother, your father, your son, your daughter, your brother, your sister, and your coworkers. Take the time to laugh, laugh out loud, and cry if you must. Strive to remember them not as they are now but as they were, brave heroes whose mission was only to make the world a better place, each in their own way. Find joy in your memories, say their names, say them often, so that their memories may live on forever.

Mr. President, we are grateful to have you here on this solemn day of remembrance. On this day, our brother and sister officers, their families and loved ones come together to share our grief and draw strength from one another certain in the knowledge that their sacrifices and the lives they lead live on in all of us.

President Biden has been here on many occasions during this time -- during his time in the United States Senate and also delivered the keynote address at this event while he was Vice President of the United States. I also want to salute his leadership on helping us with criminal justice reform. We were in regular contact with the administration while working on this important issue. Mr. President, I want to let you know we appreciate it all your efforts.

Brothers and sisters, our survivor families, and distinguished guests, please help me welcome the President of the United States. Mr. Joseph R. Biden.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you Sergeant. My name is Joe Biden. And I am Jill Biden's husband. So I'm better known President YOS, Auxiliary President N.E., Auxiliary President Layman, excuse me Layman. And a guy I've known for a long, long time. Jimmy Pascoe Executive Director, thank you for this invitation to be with you today. The Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas, thank you for being here and for the great job you're doing for us. Thank you very, very much. And it's a tough job.

Most importantly, to the families here today, this is all about you, about you. You know, I've been coming to this memorial for 40 years, I missed a couple. But, and I've spoken at many, too many police memorials all around the country. And it always amazes me how the public doesn't fully understand what we expect of our law enforcement officers.

[12:40:00]

We expect you to be people ready to stand in the way and take a bullet for us. We expect you to be able to track down the bad guys. We expect you to be the psychologist who talks, the couple that are having a violent confrontation together to step back. We expect you to be everything. We expect everything of you. And it's beyond the capacity of anyone to meet the total expectations.

Being a cop today is one hell of a lot harder than it's ever been. And to the families of the fallen, you've suffered an enormous loss. But understand your loss is also America's loss, America's loss. And your pain is America's pain. We're waking up to the notion that unless we change the environment in which the job can be done, we're going to have trouble having enough women and men come forward, that want to do the job.

I hope all the families, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, moms, dads, hope you're able to take a measure of comfort and strength from the extended family you have here and all around you. In remembrance of respect to this memorial, this day, I ordered our flags to be flown at half-staff.

We've met here in front of the United States Capitol many times before to memorialize our fallen heroes. That's particularly appropriate today is here at nine months ago, your brothers and sisters thwarted an unconstitutional and fundamentally un-American attack on our nation's values and our votes.

But because of you, democracy survive, but only because the women and men, the U.S. Capitol Police force, the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, other law enforcement agencies who once again literally put their bodies on the line to protect our democracy.

That's why I have no hesitation, had none at all in signing the law awarding the Congressional Gold Medal of Congress, the highest expression of our nation's appreciation, that U.S. Capitol Police and Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police and other responding law enforcement agencies.

Because these men and women we have worded a catastrophe. But their heroism came at a cost to you and your families, 150 officers injured, five lost in the attacks aftermath. The toll on this profession these past years has been heavy, too heavy. 2020 was the deadliest year for law enforcement on record. And today, we're here to remember nearly 500 of your brothers and sisters, husbands, wives, sons, and daughters. 2019 and 2020, we lost so much.

I attended this memorial service many times as I said to pay my respects. Sometimes I've been the speaker, other times I've sat in the stage and just thought about all of you sitting on the lawn although this year I don't know any the personally who have fallen any of the individuals, I've gone through all the names. I feel I know them without not -- have -- without having ever met them.

You see, I grew up in a neighborhood, in the neighborhoods in Scranton, Pennsylvania and Claymont, Delaware and Bellefonte. Where I grew up with the guys and women that we're honoring today, one of my best friends in grade school, Eddie Hill, became a superintendent in Delaware State Police, a great friend and competitor in the other major high school we played ball against one another.

Charlie daughter became -- daughter became the head of the chief for the Wilmington Police Force, and so many more. So although I didn't know them personally, I know you. I know you. I always joke that I grew up in places where you became a cop, a firefighter, or a priest. I wasn't qualified for any, so I had to settle for this.

[12:45:14]

But all kidding aside, over the years, as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I've got to know you. Even as kids, we can see in the women and men around us, who are the ones who had the heart. They're the ones who ran in to help you when everyone else was running away.

They ran toward Christ job (ph), even when they're in grade school knowing they'll be able help a little bit, even if they were outnumbered. And I'm not making this up. Think about it. Think about your son, your daughter, your husband, your wife, who they were and what was inside them.

It was about service to protect, defend, this isn't just what law enforcement does. It's who you are. It's what makes you who you are. And when you put on that shield in the morning and walk out the door each day, every family member dreads the possibility of receiving that phone call. I was talking to Steny about this, just as our son Beau was in Kosovo for about six months and in Iraq for a year. He was the chief law enforcement officer for the state of Delaware, the Attorney General.

And I'd watch every morning because she left for school before I got on the train. Jill standing and are mouthing a prayer, she drank a cup of coffee over the sink, praying, praying for Beau. Will you do it every day? You did it every day.

You know there's a line from an English poet, John Milton. He said they also serve who only stand and wait. How long have you had to stand and wait and wonder, when you heard something on the news or saw it on television. Thousands and thousands of American families stand and wait so their

husbands, their wives, their fathers, their mothers, sons, and daughters can serve the rest of us. We not only owe them, we owe you. That's not hyperbole. I mean, it's in the bottom of my heart. We owe you. We'll need to support them.

And too many of you sitting out there have received that terrible call that your loved one won't be coming home at the end of his or her shift. To the mother's and father's here today, my heart aches for you. Believe it or not Jill and I understand. We got one of those calls in a different circumstance.

No parent should have to bury a child. I lost a baby daughter in an accident. I lost a brave son to cancer after coming home from year in Iraq. But you know what? What you've gone through is hard. The fact that he was the chief law enforcement officer of Delaware, he wasn't out there literally, he go on patrols. And he went out there, walking up those stairs to make that arrest, and try to stop that fight.

And the resolve is always about family. It's like losing a piece of your soul. Some of you still have that feeling like you've been sucked into a black hole in your chest. And wonder, my God, will it ever change. Sergeant McLean from Detroit decorated for exemplary service during his 16 year career. He turned down promotion so I can continue to work as a mentor to other officers in his district.

Every two weeks, he sent his wife flowers at work like clockwork to brighten her day and her office. He was killed in responding to domestic violence call. Officer Tiffany-Victoria Enriquez from Honolulu, she was one of two officers killed while responding to a call, she was the first female officer to die in the line of duty in the Honolulu Police Department.

[12:50:20]

Her boyfriend, also an officer, called her quote the most hardworking, amazing, fiercest officer I've ever known. My heart is shattered. And she was my love, my rock, my strength.

So many, officer -- excuse me Brazilda (ph), excuse me, Brazilda (ph), passed away in 2016. But he was recognized in his line of duty this year. He was part of elite unit, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He had a trained to perform technical rescue operations. After the terrorist attack on September 11th, he was assigned to search and recover, recovery efforts in the World Trade Tower. He, like so many others contracted cancer, he died of cancer following that assignment.

He made friends wherever he went. He loved the outdoors. He was his neighborhood go to guy organizing almost anything, including hunting expeditions. As you're calling the roll today, we're acutely aware that behind each name, our families.

They said we know from personal experience that every time there's a ceremony Memorial, honoring your last husband or wife, son or daughter. It can summon that pride but also that terrible feeling. As if you just hear the news for the first time.

So I want you to know, I know all though you look forward to honoring your family member. It's hard. It's hard. I mean this sincerely. Jill and I admire your courage for just being here. And we'll help you take some comfort and the knowledge that the men and women here assembled the day, they'll always be with you, not a joke, they'll always be with you wherever you are, if you don't know them, in a city, a town, a place you've never been before.

And as much as we hope not, there going to be more names added to this roll call bravery and sorrow. There already have been. And as I was preparing these remarks early this morning in Houston, the deputy killed, one deputy killed and two wounded. Chief Finner from Houston is here today. I don't know where the chief is. But he's here today, I'm told. I've known him.

Seven Euston police officers in his department were killed in the line of duty since 2019. Chief, I'm here for you, pal, so as everybody else. We mourn the fallen. We pray for the recovery of the wounded. As I said, I've spoken many too many times, too many funerals for police officers, too many funerals for brave servants who kept us safe.

So under the mournful sound of the bagpipes, we must also hear something else. Call to do better, to do more, to keep you safe, to keep our communities safer for us to step up, build trust and respect and heal the breach we now see in so many communities. To recognize the promise of equal and impartial justice remains a promise but not always a reality for you or others, particularly in low income communities.

Too many communities black and brown, too many families are grieving unnecessary losses of their sons, their daughters, their fathers, their brothers. I want to acknowledge the FOP as was mentioned earlier, for sincerely trying to reach an agreement on meaningful reforms, congressional reform and the negotiations over the George Floyd and Policing Act. But here's the part a lot of the hell has to come to police departments. They need help to do better.

I thank you for being a constructive player in this process. We haven't gotten there yet, but we must get there. Look, there's too much pain. There's too much loss. There's too much at stake for the safety and for the safety of those who serve. It's a hard time to be a police officer in America.

So I want to make sure you have the tools to be the partners and the protectors your communities need. That when you look at what your communities need and what you're being asked to do, there isn't going to be -- there going to be more resources, not fewer resources to help you do your job.

[12:55:25]

That's why I propose we infesting -- we invest again in community policing we know works. One thing that protects cops is another cop. And they're training you and the community have requested. The community-based programs and interventions that can stop violence before it starts, provides specific guidance explaining that communities can and should use funds from the American rescue plan, $350 billion in aid to city, states, counties, tribes to hire and retain officers.

Many cities from Albuquerque to St. Paul are doing just that. And I propose an additional $300 million in my budget to support community policing across the country. It's hard when you don't know the community. And the most important way to get to know them has more police. We're also investing in community violence intervention programs, which are proven, have a proven track record of reducing violence by up to 60 percent in cities across the nation.

At the same time we have to stop asking law enforcement officers to do every single job under the sun. I'm committed to investing in mental health services, mental health professionals who can respond to mental health crises alongside you. You shouldn't be the one having to talk someone off the edge of the roof. You should have professional help with you.

Support our law enforcement officers, requires that we invest in systems that provide adequate health care, counseling, drug treatment prevention, housing, education, and other social services in the community so there is not the discord. We need to work together to confront the academic -- the epidemic of gun violence. Your brothers and sisters have told me over the years sometimes you feel like you're out a gun.

Right now the Justice Department and leadership of Attorney General Garland is working with state and local law enforcement across the country to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals. They now have zero tolerance for gun dealers who willfully violate the law, putting firearms in the hands of people who are a danger to the community and you.

I also want to make it easier for states to adopt red flag laws. Laws that allow family members or law enforcement to petition a court order to temporary remove firearms from people who are in crisis, representing the danger to themselves and to others.

By the way, more people die of gunshot wounds in America as a consequence of suicide than any other reason. I've called on Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and to close the domestic violence loophole to beat guns out of the hands of abusers, 40 percent of all calls result in an officer's death when domestic violence related, 40 percent. These steps will protect you and protect the people you serve.

And finally, and tragically in the past two years COVID-19 has caused more deaths in the line of duty than all the other causes combined. Many of those lost their lives keeping our society safe, serving on the front lines in those dark early days of the pandemic. But now, let us prevent the preventable tragedies.

The last time I stood here was it take the oath of office as your president. I said that day we have much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build, much to gain. It remains true I believe with all my heart.

There's nothing you're unable to do if we equip you that we can unite this nation and fight our common foes, anger, resentment, hatred, extremism, racism lawlessness, violence, disease, joblessness, hopelessness. We have never ever failed in America when we've acted together. So let's act together to support you in the service of the nation we love.

[12:59:45]

In closing, let me say that I know there are no words, no memorials that can fill that void, that black hole in your chest so many of you feel. But I promise you, the day will come when the memory of your loved one will bring a smile to your lips.