WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is launching a crime prevention strategy Wednesday in a push to take on soaring gun violence as Republicans blame the rise in crime on calls from progressive activists to cut police funding.
In a White House speech Wednesday, Biden will announce a “zero tolerance policy” for rogue gun dealers and steps to stop the illegal trafficking of firearms, according to senior administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Biden will also emphasize that cities and states can use their portions of $350 billion in direct aid from Biden’s COVID-19 rescue plan, approved by Congress in March, on public safety efforts including hiring more police officers.
The president’s efforts come as he’s been unable to
