White House cites hammer murder to criticize Biden border policy before Trump Florida rally
The White House highlighted a hammer killing in Fort Myers as evidence of Biden-era immigration failures ahead of Donald Trump's midterm rally in the city.
In Fort Myers, a gas station clerk and mother of two was murdered after a suspect repeatedly struck her with a hammer in broad daylight. The perpetrator, Rolbert Joachim, arrived in the United States in August 2022 and was granted Temporary Protected Status before his arrest. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said that the incident illustrates the consequences of the Biden administration's immigration approach.
She added that the suspect was released into the country by the administration and later given TPS. The comments are timed with Donald Trump's scheduled rally at Florida Gulf Coast University's Alico Arena on Friday, a pivotal event ahead of the November 3 midterm elections in a state where he previously performed strongly.
Why it matters
The story links a violent crime to national immigration policy, influencing voter perception ahead of the midterm elections.
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