As he boarded the presidential plane at Andrews Air Force Base to head to California, Joe Biden slipped up the stairs of Air Force One.
As he walked up the steps aboard the plane, Biden, 79, stumbled and put his hand down to gain his balance. It's the latest in a series of stair mishaps for the president, who did the same thing on his trip to Illinois last month.
Biden Witnessed California Vote
Per The Independent, Biden told reporters before departing to host the ninth Summit of the Americas that Tuesday's primary elections demonstrated that American voters wanted politicians and leaders to take a firmer stance on crime and gun violence.
In San Francisco, citizens voted to recall progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin, while in Los Angeles, tycoon Rick Caruso defeated Karen Bass in the mayoral election. In November, the two will compete for the position.
Biden's remarks also came in the aftermath of the Uvalde, Texas, tragedy, in which a teenager with an AR-15 rifle slaughtered 19 students and two teachers. Biden has called for a ban on assault weapons, stronger background check rules, and a higher minimum age to acquire guns, while the White House and Democrats on Capitol Hill are engaged in bipartisan discussions on possible gun control legislation.
He left after two closely watched polls in California demonstrated how voters prioritized growing crime: in San Francisco, where the city's liberal district attorney was recalled, and in Los Angeles, where a tough-on-crime Republican won the mayor's race over a progressive Democrat.
The findings are a setback for Biden's party, which has recently concentrated on criminal justice reform. The president also stated that he had filed a budget request to Congress for $300 million to employ and train officers, as per Daily Mail.
It comes as the country ponders how to avoid mass shootings. In an April poll by the University of Berkeley, voters in California ranked crime and lawlessness as their top concerns, surpassing race relations, healthcare, and the pandemic.
In San Francisco, this meant the removal of District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who had been accused of being soft on crime. Boudin, 41, went on to suggest that these organizations had "exploited" individuals, claiming that they had "taken advantage of a climate in which people are justifiably unhappy."
Biden's Series of Stumbles on Stairs of The Presidential Plane
Biden was almost stumbling up the stairs to the plane when he was going to Illinois to discuss inflation a month ago. Biden, wearing his iconic Aviator, recovered fast before heading to the plane's door and flashing a thumbs-up.
Per The Sun, it's not the first time he's been caught on camera, almost falling as he tries to enter the presidential plane. On March 19, Biden slipped three times while attempting to board Air Force One.
However, he swiftly recovered and continued up the stairs, saluting before boarding the plane. The White House blamed the slides on high winds at the time. Critics have expressed fear that Biden, the oldest president in history, may be unsuitable for office.
In March, when attacking Biden, Trump referenced his gaffes. Late last year, Biden was spotted outside The Queen theater in Delaware wearing his usual navy blue suit and a cast on his right foot.
He spoke at the Wilmington venue to formally introduce his six-member economic team, which includes veterans from prior Democratic administrations as well as historic firsts. After x-rays revealed a "hairline fracture" in his foot, Biden was compelled to wear the protective boot for several weeks. The injury was first revealed by journalists assigned to Biden.