NEWS GLEAMS | Biden's State of the Union Speech; No Criminal Charges for SPD Officer in Death of Jaahnavi Kandula

A roundup of news and announcements we don't want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle!

by Vee Hua 華婷婷

President Joe Biden Gives State of the Union Speech — And Campaign Launch

On March 7, President Joe Biden gave his third State of the Union speech since he took office in 2021. The speech is an annual address to Congress that usually provides a progress report of the president's proudest achievements and moments. This year's speech looked into the future and also served effectively as a stump speech for the president, who will likely run against former President Donald Trump in the fall 2024 election. The pairing between the two likely candidates will be the first time in decades that two presidents have competed with one another for leadership in the Oval Office.

Biden's speech began with globally focused comments referencing former President Franklin Roosevelt, who gave one of his State of the Union addresses when "Hitler was on the march" and "war was raging in Europe." Biden then positioned the U.S.' role in the fight for freedom and democracy against Russia's war on Ukraine, before turning his vision back to domestic issues. While never referring to Trump by name, Biden often spoke about "my predecessor," as he attempted to set himself apart through issues like the Jan. 6 riots, reproductive freedom, and the economy.

"America's comeback is building a future of American possibilities; building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down; investing in all of America … [making] sure everyone has a fair shot and we leave no one — no one behind," said Biden, as he boasted of 15 million new jobs in three years and highlighted that many of the investments were made in states where elected officials had voted against his Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

He spoke extensively of nationwide wage increases, a decreasing racial wealth gap, recent drops in inflation, and an anticipated "soft landing" for the economy despite previous fears of a recession. Biden committed that he would not add additional taxes to anyone who made less than $400,000 a year but wanted to lower the nation's deficit by asking wealthy individuals and corporations to pay their "fair share" of taxes. He also touted investments in factories, farms, and tribal communities, which was followed by Democrat members of the audience chanting, "Four more years!" in support of Biden's economic victories.

Yet Biden was met with audible booing from Republicans when he referenced his recent bipartisan attempt to work with the Senate to pass new immigration laws at the southern border adjoining Mexico. He called the bipartisan bill the "toughest set of border security reforms we've ever seen," funding an increase in the number of security agents, immigration judges, asylum officers, technologies, and policies at the border, which would speed up caseloads and limit fentanyl smuggling.

The bill, if passed, would also allow him the "emergency authority to temporarily shut down the border when the number of migrants at the border is overwhelming." But the Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has not brought the legislation to the floor for a vote, which Biden blamed on Trump, who asked legislators to block the bill because "it would be a political win for me and a political loser for him." Biden called on his predecessor to allow the bipartisan border bill through.

Another significant moment came when Biden, toward the end of the speech, spoke about the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. He began by condemning Hamas and their taking of around 250 hostages on Oct. 7, and reasserted that "Israel has the right to go after Hamas … because Hamas hides and operates among the civilian population like cowards — under hospitals, daycare centers, and all the like."

He then added that Israel still had the "fundamental responsibility … to protect innocent civilians in Gaza," citing, "More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed — most of whom are not Hamas." Biden then took the opportunity to say that the United States has been working nonstop to establish an immediate cease-fire and return the final hostages. He also announced that the U.S. military would establish a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza that would be able to carry large shipments of humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, with no U.S. troops being "on the ground." A Pentagon analysis has since stated that the pier could take two months to build, despite an increasing number of ongoing cases of Palestinians who have died from dehydration and starvation, including many children.

In the final moments of Biden's speech, he drew attention to his age. Recent polling has determined that Biden's age is one of the most problematic aspects of his campaign for a second presidential term, regardless of the party affiliation of voters.

"My lifetime has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy, a future based on core values that have defined America — honesty, decency, dignity, and equality — to respect everyone; to give everyone a fair shot; to give hate no safe harbor," Biden stated. "Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are the oldest of ideas. But you can't lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back. To lead America, the land of possibilities, you need a vision for the future and what can and should be done."

Today, March 11, Biden released his budget for the fiscal year 2025, but it must be passed by Congress to become law. Analysts suspect it will not pass due to party divides, which make the passage of bipartisan legislation difficult.

Seattle Police Department Officer Faces No Criminal Charges in Death of Jaahnavi Kandula

Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian graduate student, was killed in January 2023 after a Seattle police officer struck Kandula while she was crossing the street in a crosswalk. The officer, Kevin Dave, had been traveling 74 miles per hour in a 25-mph zone and did not have his sirens on. On Feb. 21, it was determined that Dave would not face charges for the incident.

Prosecutor Leesa Manion said in a statement, "After staffing this case with senior deputy prosecuting attorneys and office leadership, I have determined that we lack sufficient evidence under Washington state law to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt."

On March 1, Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison filed a traffic infraction against Dave at the Seattle Municipal Court. Her action came after a Seattle Police Department (SPD) referral to Davison that Dave face penalties for "Negligent Driving in the Second Degree with a Vulnerable User Victim" under Seattle Municipal Code 11.58.005.C, which comes with a civil penalty of up to $5,000.

Following the death of Kandula, bodycam footage was released that showed fellow officer Daniel Auderer, vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, joking and laughing about Kandula's death after he responded to the scene. He said that Kandula was "just 26" and "had limited value," and that the City of Seattle should "just write a check."

SPD commanders had recommended in January that Auderer be fired or, less seriously, be forced to take 30 days off without pay. The commanders wrote to Auderer, saying, "The disgrace you have brought to the department on a global scale will undoubtedly stain SPD's reputation for years, and your insensitivity tarnished some observers' perceptions of all SPD officers."

Following the commanders' recommendation, SPD Chief Adrian Diaz was given a month's time to determine the best course of action for Auderer. Auderer's initial March 4 disciplinary hearing has been rescheduled to April 1; he will be required to explain his actions at that time.

Nominate Seattle Public Schools Educators for a Racial Equity and Educational Justice Award!

The Seattle Public Schools (SPS) district's education fund, the Alliance for Education, is seeking nominations for principals, educators, and counselors who have advanced racial equity and educational justice in their communities and classrooms. Founded in 1999, the three awards total $67,500 in grants, which will be awarded to the selected individuals. They are:

The Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence:

Recognizes two SPS principals who have over three years of commitment to their school. In commemoration of Thomas B. Foster, a Seattle attorney who was strongly dedicated to public education, the grant will include a $25,000 award and a surprise celebration for each of its recipients.

The Philip B. Swain Excellent in Education Award:

Recognizes five teachers or counselors who have over three years of commitment to a Title I school, serving students in grades 6 to 12. In honor of former teacher and public education advocate Philip B. Swain, the grant awards a $2,500 grant to each educator.

The Adrienne Weaver Science Teacher Award:

Recognizes a science educator who has over three years of commitment to a Title I school, serving students in grades K to 8. Named after former educator Adrienne Weaver — who had a love for science and hands-on learning — the grant awards $5,000 to one recipient.

Nominations must be made online before Sunday, March 31, via the SPS online portal. One individual can be nominated for multiple grants. Individuals who nominate principals, educators, and counselors must answer additional questions about the nominee and offer reasons for their nomination.

📸 Featured Image: President Joe Biden delivers the annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., March 7, 2024. (Photo: Allison Bailey/NurPhoto via AP)

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