President Joe Biden Falls Down Stairs While Boarding Air Force One

Joe Biden fell while walking up the steps to Air Force One today (19 March).

The US President, 78, tripped a couple of times as he made his way on board the aircraft ahead of a trip to Atlanta, Georgia.

Fortunately, however, he managed to compose himself and got back to his feet fairly sharply, giving a salute at the top of the stairs before disappearing into the cabin.

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to meet with Asian community leaders in Atlanta today following a horrific spate of shootings on Tuesday (16 March).

Speaking about the shocking news, President Biden said on Wednesday (17 March): "Whatever the motivation here, I know Asian Americans are very concerned, because as you know I have been speaking about the brutality against Asian Americans, and it's troubling.

"But I'm making no connection at this moment. The motivation of the killer. I'm waiting for an answer, as the investigation proceeds, from the FBI and from the Justice Department.

"I'll have more to say when the investigation has completed."

Vice President Harris echoed these sentiments, saying the country was 'standing by' its Asian community.

She said: "It is tragic. Our country, the president and I and all of us, we grieve for those lost.

PA

"I do want to say to our Asian American community that we stand with you and understand how this has frightened and shocked and outraged all people."

Shooter Robert Aaron Long, 21, killed seven women, six of whom were Asian, and one man after opening fire on three massage parlours this week.

The 21-year-old told police that his motivation was to 'eliminate sexual temptation', claiming he is a sex addict and he blames the massage parlours for it.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta said it was utterly devastating.

She said: "Whatever the motivation was for this guy, we know that the majority of the victims were Asian.

"We also know that this is an issue that is happening across the country. It is unacceptable, it is hateful and it has to stop."

A police officer was criticised for saying during a press conference that the main suspect in the Atlanta spa shooting had been having a 'bad day'.

Captain Jay Baker from Cherokee County sheriff's office said: "He was pretty much fed up and kind of at the end of his rope.

"Yesterday was a really bad day for him and this is what he did."

Topics: joe biden, World News, US Politics, US News, US President, Politics

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom