Biden to visit North Carolina Thursday, meet with families of 4 officers killed in Charlotte shooting
President Joe Biden is making his third trip to North Carolina this year — and he's headed to the same spot where Republican presidential challenger Donald Trump canceled a rally earlier this month.
Biden, a Democrat, will be in Wilmington on an official presidential visit Thursday afternoon to discuss infrastructure and environmental issues, according to Jill Hopman, chair of the New Hanover Democratic Party.
The White House later publicly announced the visit. The itinerary and location are not yet public.
"I am extremely thrilled and honored that President Biden is coming here," Hopman said. "It is tremendously important during a critical election year for our local party, the city of Wilmington and the state of North Carolina."
President Joe Biden is also planning to add a stop in Charlotte to meet with the family members of four officers killed earlier this week, the Associated Press reported.
After the attack, Biden expressed his condolences and support for the community, calling the slain officers "heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us."
“We must do more to protect our law enforcement officers. That means funding them – so they have the resources they need to do their jobs and keep us safe. And it means taking additional action to combat the scourge of gun violence. Now," Biden said in a statement, calling on leaders in Congress to pass a ban on assault weapons, among other gun control measures.
Biden visited Raleigh in January and March as he seeks to put the state in play in the November general election.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for the third consecutive time, canceled a rally in Wilmington on April 20 due to weather.
Biden visited Raleigh on Jan. 18, delivering a speech focused on his economic and achievements and infrastructure spending at Abbotts Creek Community Center. He also went to Cook Out restaurant and met with a family for a campaign visit.
In March, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the Chavis Community Center about lowering healthcare costs. They also attended a campaign reception, raising more than $2 million.
Trump carried North Carolina in his successful 2016 presidential bid and in his 2020 loss to Biden. Trump leads Biden in recent polling in the state.
