Obama on Daunte Wright: We need to reimagine policing

Former President Obama on Tuesday called for “a full and transparent investigation” into the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright and for the U.S. to “reimagine policing.”

“Our hearts are heavy over yet another shooting of a Black man, Daunte Wright, at the hands of police. It’s important to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but this is also a reminder of just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country,” Obama said in a statement.

“Michelle and I grieve alongside the Wright family for their loss. We empathize with the pain that Black mothers, fathers, and children are feeling after yet another senseless tragedy,” Obama continued. “And we will continue to work with all fair-minded Americans to confront historical inequities and bring about nationwide changes that are so long overdue.”

Our hearts are heavy over yet another shooting of a Black man, Daunte Wright, at the hands of police. It’s important to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but this is also a reminder of just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country. pic.twitter.com/sgcbRjlApr

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 13, 2021

President Biden gave a somewhat more measured response on Monday saying, “I think we’ve got to wait and see what the investigation shows.”

“But in the meantime, I want to make it clear again: There is absolutely no justification, none, for looting. No justification for violence; peaceful protest is understandable,” Biden said.

Biden said he had spoken with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as well as local authorities, though he has yet to speak with Wright’s family.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) on Monday called policing in the U.S. “intentionally racist” and something that “can’t be reformed” in response to Wright’s death.

“It wasn’t an accident. Policing in our country is inherently & intentionally racist. Daunte Wright was met with aggression & violence,” Tlaib tweeted. “I am done with those who condone government funded murder. No more policing, incarceration, and militarization. It can’t be reformed.”

It wasn’t an accident. Policing in our country is inherently & intentionally racist.

Daunte Wright was met with aggression & violence. I am done with those who condone government funded murder.

No more policing, incarceration, and militarization. It can’t be reformed.

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) April 12, 2021

Protests continued for a second night in Brooklyn Center, Minn., on Monday, with protesters gathering outside of the city’s police station. Officers responded by sporadically shooting projectiles into the crowd and releasing a chemical irritant that made people cough.