Biden blasts 'MAGA Republicans' and 'sickening' attacks on FBI during speech at Pennsylvania university

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - President Joe Biden on Tuesday railed against the "MAGA Republicans in Congress" who have refused to condemn the Jan.

6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol and now are targeting the FBI as he tried to portray Democrats as the true pro-law enforcement party ahead of the November midterms.In remarks initially billed as a crime-prevention speech, Biden seized on comments from allies of former President Donald Trump who have called for stripping funding from the FBI since it executed a search warrant at Trump's Florida residence.

Biden's remarks were the first substantive defense he has made of the FBI since the Aug. 8 search at Mar-a-Lago, which triggered not just withering criticism of the agency but threats of violence against its employees."It's sickening to see the new attacks on the FBI, threatening the life of law enforcement and their families, for simply carrying out the law and doing their job," Biden said before a crowd of more than 500 at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. "I'm opposed to defunding the police; I'm also opposed to defunding the FBI."It was a notably different tack for Biden, who has steered clear of extensively commenting on any element of the Justice Department's investigation since federal agents conducted the search at Trump's estate.

Biden also appeared to call out — without naming him — recent comments from Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who warned of "riots in the streets" should Trump ultimately face prosecution."The idea you turn on a television and see senior senators and congressmen saying, ‘If such and such happens there’ll be blood on the street’?" Biden said.