Biden says no to progressive agenda of defunding police, erasing $50k in student loan debt

President Biden is making clear that he is not championing at least two initiatives from his Democratic Party’s liberal wing – defunding police departments and canceling $50,000 in school loan debt for each student.

Biden made the comments in a CNN town hall Tuesday night in Milwaukee.

When a person in the audience asked Biden what he would do to absolve the $50,000 debt, Biden responded, "I will not make that happen."

On the issue of defunding police, a goal by organizers of the summer 2020 protests over police brutality, Biden said, "We have to put more money in police work." 

House Democrats attributed their unexpected losses in last year’s elections to incumbents and challengers’ support for the "defund" movement.

Biden also suggested when asked about his COVID vaccine rollout that every American could get the vaccine "by the end of July," if they wanted. However, he quickly clarified himself by saying, the vaccine would only be available to everyone by July's end.

Biden also seemed to put the blame on White House press secretary Jen Psaki for suggesting to reporters last week that having schools open one day a week would fulfill his promise to reopen the majority of schools amid the pandemic in his first 100 days in office.

"No, that’s not true," Biden said, cutting off CNN moderator Anderson Cooper when he asked for clarification. "That’s what was reported. It was a mistake in the communication." 

Psaki said: "So, more than 50%(of schools)  open by day 100 of his presidency. And that means some teaching in classrooms. So, at least one day a week. Hopefully, it’s more."

Biden on Tuesday night also faced some criticism for rambling, then apologizing for not being clear. Politico cited at least five such instances.