The father of murdered nursing student Laken Riley is speaking about those who have used his daughter’s killing for political reasons.
During an interview with NBC News’ “Today,” Jason Riley spoke about his daughter’s death and the addressed how it has become a part of the national conversation as her alleged killer was in the country illegally.
NBC News’ Priscilla Thompson asked, “Do you think a difference in immigration policy would have made a difference for Laken?”
“We have no idea if that would’ve changed anything,” Jason Riley responded.
He added, “But, he’s here illegally — he might not have been here had we had secure borders.”
Watch the video below:
The father of Laken Riley, the 22-year-old nursing student murdered on the University of Georgia campus last month, speaks out for the first time in an @NBCNews exclusive interview. @PriscillaWT reports. pic.twitter.com/1DtdAQQrYH
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 18, 2024
Jason Riley went on to criticize how his daughter’s murder has been brought into the political debate, saying, “I feel like she’s being used somewhat politically.”
“It makes me angry. She was much better than that. She should be raised up for the person that she is,” he added.
Several politicians have taken up the slogan “say her name” to bring attention to Laken Riley’s murder. And during the State of the Union, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) sought to pressure President Joe Biden into mentioning her.
Greene shouted, “Laken Riley… say her name!”
Biden picked up a pin in honor of Riley but then mispronounced her name, saying, “Lincoln Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal.”
“That’s right… but how many thousands of people are being killed by illegals?” he asked.
Biden added, “To her parents, I say my heart goes out to you having lost children myself, I understand.”
