Trump hosts Laken Riley's family at Rome rally, Biden interrupted by protester in Atlanta
ATLANTA - President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump went head-to-head at their respective campaign rallies around Georgia. The Peach State has proven to be critical for a victory in November.
Biden was scheduled to speak at Pullman Yards in Atlanta, while Trump headed for Rome about 60 miles away.
FOX 5 covered both events. They were live-streamed on FOX 5 Atlanta, Facebook, YouTube and the FOX Local App.
To learn more about the presidential primary, visit the Secretary of State's GA My Voter Page.
Biden Atlanta rally: President speaks at Pullman Yards
President Biden spoke at Pullman Yards in Atlanta before his scheduled slot at 6 p.m. As expected, he addressed the current state of the U.S. economy in addition to healthcare and education.
Biden aimed to energize his base in order to clinch the Democratic Party's nomination.
Before he spoke, Sen. Raphael Warnock and Sen. Jon Ossoff addressed the crowd.
Dr. Jill Biden introduced her husband alongside first-time voter, Desera Lennon, a student at Clayton State University.
While Georgia remains the key swing state that Biden won in 2020 by less than a percentage point, there won't be any big statewide races this time around to keep Democrats motivated to get to the ballot box.
"Here’s a guy who’s kicking off his general election campaign up the road with Marjorie Taylor Green," Biden said. You can tell a lot about a person by the company [they keep]."
During Biden's just-over-20-minute speech, a protester interrupted him, calling him, "Genocide Joe," in reference to the war in Gaza.
Boos and chants of "Four more years!" drowned out the activist as the Secret Service took him out.
"I don't resent his passion," Biden said, addressing the pro-Palestine protester. "There's a lot of Palestinians who are being unfairly victimized.
One name that didn't come up in Saturday's speech was Laken Riley's.
On Tuesday, Georgia will vote in the GOP and Democratic primaries. Georgians may be able to expect to see a lot more of the current and former presidents in these parts.
‘Get Out the Vote’ rally in Rome: Trump speaks
Former president Donald Trump held a rally at the Forum River Center in Rome. He was expected to speak at 5 p.m. but arrived just before 6 p.m.
During his speech, he mentioned the mother, father, sister and roommate of Laken Riley, the Augusta student killed on UGA's campus, were sitting in the front row. He met them before going on stage.
Their support comes two days after Biden's State of the Union address in which he appeared to mispronounce Laken's name.
READ FULL TEXT OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S 2024 ADDRESS
"Biden does not even KNOW my child’s name – it’s pathetic! If you are going to say her name (even when forced to do so) at least say the right name!" Allyson Phillips, Laken's mother, wrote on Facebook.
President Biden mentions Laken Riley during State of the Union
President Biden mentions the murder of Laken Riley while discussing immigration during his 2024 State of the Union address before Congress. The president was discussing a proposed bill when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene interrupted his speech.
Laken's murder took center stage for Trump.
"'The brightest light in every room,' they told me," he said. "She was the whole world to her parents and to her sister."
Hundreds in the crowd held up signs with Laken's face on them. They read, "Say her name."
Trump made sure to say her name often.
He also laid the blame of her death solely at Biden's feet. He then addressed the Riley family directly, making them a promise:
"Laken Riley would be alive today, if Joe Biden had not willfullly and maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States and set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals into our country," he said. "To her family: Tonight, I promise you, I will demand justice for Laken. Justice for Laken."
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also attended the event, greeting supporters before the former president's arrival.
She was one of three speakers who warmed the crowd up before Trump arrived.
"I can't believe I had to sit at the State of the Union and almost 50 minutes in, had to yell at him from sitting in my seat to say her name, say ‘Laken Riley’," Greene said at the rally on Saturday.
"This time we're going to make sure he gets a fair shake in Georgia," said former state Sen. David Perdue. "He cannot win the presidency without Georgia, and I need you to help us do that."
Rep. Mike Collins, whose SOTU invitation to Riley's parents was rejected, also spoke at the Rome rally. He took credit for the passing of the Laken Riley Act in the Georgia House. H.R. 7511 aims to equip Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and state governments with enhanced tools to combat "illegal alien" crime.
"Folks, y'all realized we passed that with 37 democrats helping us, they even realize how damn bad that border is down there," Collins said, referencing the southern border.
Trump spoke to the Rome crowd for almost two hours, often cracking jokes. At one point, he mentioned he wasn't sure why polls have suggested he and Biden were considered "unpopular" candidates, stating he believes he is very "popular" and "liked."
He also addressed rumors that he wasn't willing to debate Biden before the election.
"Officially, I want to debate ‘Crooked’ Joe Biden. Any time. Any place. Anywhere," Trump said.
Aside from the theatrics, Trump made one thing very clear: He would need Georgia in November in order to win back the presidency.
"Georgia could be the State," he said. "Look, if we win Georgia, we're gonna win the election. Let me put it that way, okay? We have to win Georgia."
Trump Rome Rally: Remarks on Fani Willis, Nathan Wade remarks
Trump also attacked Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in his speech, claiming that her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade was improper. He said that should disqualify her from the case against him.
Biden arrives in Georgia
President Joe Biden and Air Force One have landed in the Peach State where he and former President Donald Trump are expected to hold competing campaign rallies.
The president and first lady Dr. Jill Biden were welcomed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport by Mayor Andre Dickens, Rep. Lucy McBath, and Rep. Hank Johnson and his wife, Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson.
Biden and Trump's visit to Georgia comes after the two swept Super Tuesday, clinching their 2024 presidential nominations.