Former President Donald Trump paid his respects to fallen NYPD Officer Johnathan Diller on Thursday after he was gunned down by a suspect who had a long history of run-ins with law enforcement.
Attending the wake, which was held in Massapequa, New York, Trump met with Diller’s loved ones, including his widow and almost one-year-old son.
“What happened is such a sad, sad event. Such a horrible thing, and it’s happening all too often and we’re just not going to let it happen, we just can’t,” Trump said. “But the Diller family will, you’ll never be the same, you can never be the same, but we have to stop it, we have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order. We have to do a lot of things differently because this is not working. This is happening too often.”
Diller was fatally shot on Monday during a routine traffic stop involving an illegally parked car at a bus stop in Queens. Guy Rivera was instructed by the officer several times to exit the car. Instead, the 34-year-old suspect pulled out a gun and shot Diller in the stomach, just below his bulletproof vest.
Diller’s partner, Veckash Khedna, in return, shot the suspect in the back. Both men were taken to Jamaica Hospital. Diller succumbed to his injuries while Rivera was still being treated.
The only man standing up for law & order! How sick is it that we have a president in the WH now that could give two hoots???! Joe Biden is completely demolishing ALL we hold dear!! We have to remove this man, and his corrupt followers come Nov! Election is so important! https://t.co/Hu8vxikMOi
— Laura Gratz (@mermaidmo) March 28, 2024
Trump’s remarks refer to New York State’s soft approach to crime. Before killing Diller, Rivera was arrested at least 21 times. If the laws on crime were tougher, Rivera would have been in prison and Diller would not have had to pay the ultimate price.
According to the Associated Press, Diller was the first NYPD officer in two years to be killed in the line of duty.
President Joe Biden was also in New York City on Thursday, except he was holding a fundraiser with celebrities and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, rather than attending the wake.
This is what you’re supposed to do, no matter what political background you are , drive to Long Island , and spend a few minutes there. All the scumbags are having a fundraiser at radio city they could’ve taken an hour out of their life to go out there. https://t.co/hUpGcveseU
— Miriam Riviera (@miriam_riviera) March 28, 2024
Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesman, called out Biden for his failed appearance at the wake. He wrote on X that while Trump was paying his respects to the fallen officer and his family, was too busy partying with “elitist, out-of-touch celebrity benefactors.”
President Trump will be honoring the legacy of Officer Diller and paying respects to his family, friends, and the NYPD.
Meanwhile, the Three Stooges—Biden, Obama, and Clinton—will be at a glitzy fundraiser in the city with their elitist, out-of-touch celebrity benefactors.— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) March 28, 2024
