Biden mentions Laken Riley in State of the Union, calls man accused of killing her an 'illegal'

Michael Collins, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify a quote from President Joe Biden during the State of the Union. 

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden mentioned the death of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley during his State of the Union address on Thursday and referred to the Venezuelan man accused of killing her as an “illegal.”

Biden’s unscripted remarks, prompted by an exchange with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., provided one of the night’s most tense moments.

By calling the suspect an “illegal,” Biden was using outdated language often preferred by Republicans – but long abandoned by Democrats and social justice advocates – when referring to people who have entered the country illegally.

The exchange came during a portion of Biden's remarks when he was urging Congress to pass a bipartisan border security bill that House Republicans killed at the urging of former President Donald Trump.

More: Joe Biden, Donald Trump clashing visits thrust border fight further into spotlight

Greene, who was wearing a T-shirt that read “Say Her Name,” shouted out Riley’s name, prompting Biden to go off script. He stopped briefly and then held up a button bearing the victim’s name.

Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga) yells as President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 7, 2024.
Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga) yells as President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 7, 2024.

“Lincoln Riley,” Biden said, appearing to mispronounce the victim’s first name, “an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal – that’s right. But how many of thousands of people are being killed by legals?"

Biden then directed his remarks to the victim's parents, saying, "My heart goes out to you. Having lost children myself, I understand.”

More: Defining day for immigration? Border cities await real answers in rare visits by Biden, Trump

Federal authorities say Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was killed on Feb. 22 in Athens, Georgia, by a man who entered the country without authorization.

In invoking Riley's death, Biden called on Republicans to pass the border security bill.

"We can fight about fixing the border or we can fix it," he said. "I'm ready to fix it."

Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @mcollinsNEWS.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Laken Riley came up in SOTU. Biden called alleged killer an 'illegal'