President Biden left New York on Friday to spend the Easter weekend with his family at Camp David without saying so publicly. mentioning Monday’s killing of New York Police Officer Jonathan Diller – and after raise at least $26 million during a celebrity-filled campaign extravaganza Thursday night.
Biden and first lady Jill Biden boarded Air Force One at JFK Airport, about six miles from where Diller was shot in Far Rockaway.
The first couple were joined by scandal-plagued son Hunter, daughter Ashley and grandson Beau around 12:45 p.m.
Diller’s vigils Thursday and Friday in Massapequa, 20 miles east of the airport, drew top New York City and New York state politicians, as well as the former president Donald Trump, who is seeking a rematch against Biden in November.
Biden has not said anything publicly about Diller’s death during a traffic stop or issued a written statement.
The president attended a campaign event Friday morning in Manhattan and delivered a classic speech, saying foreign leaders were concerned about a possible Trump restoration and adding, “I’m not that special, but I’m not Trump “.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that Biden offered condolences over Diller’s death to New York Mayor Eric Adams, but did not say whether the president had contacted the family of the officer.
“Our thoughts are obviously with the officer’s family and the entire NYPD family who have tragically lost one of their own. The president mourns them and honors their sacrifice,” Jean-Pierre told reporters.
Asset met Thursday afternoon with Diller’s family, including his widow, Stephanie, and his 1-year-old son.
Adams attended Diller’s wake on Thursday and Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul briefly attended Friday afternoon’s viewing before being confronted by a man outside as she left.
Guy Rivera, 34, was charged Thursday with first-degree murder in Diller’s death. He had already been arrested 21 times and was on parole until last year after serving a five-year prison sentence for drug trafficking.