Some of the candidates’ sharpest policy disagreements have been on these issues. Here’s where they stand.
Some of the candidates’ sharpest policy disagreements have been on these issues. Here’s where they stand.
Trump vs. Biden on Policing, Crime and Guns
ByMaggie AstorNov. 2, 2020
Trump vs. Biden on Policing, Crime and Guns
Trump vs. Biden on Policing, Crime and Guns
Some ofPresident TrumpandJoe Biden’ssharpest policy disagreements have been on policing, crime and guns.
Here’s where they stand →
Trump vs. Biden on Policing, Crime and Guns
Police funding
Trumpopposes calls to defund the police but has proposed cutting over $500 million from programs that support law enforcement.
Bidenwants to add funding for experts like social workers to respond to certain calls alongside officers. He doesn’t want to defund the police.
Trump vs. Biden on Policing, Crime and Guns
Black Lives Matter
Trumptook executive action to create a misconduct database after the police killing of George Floyd, but has mostly stood by officers and condemned protesters.
Bidenwould offer grants to racially diverse police forces and give the Justice Department more power to investigate police departments.
Trump vs. Biden on Policing, Crime and Guns
Fighting crime
Trumpwants to expand police departments, and prosecute drive-by shootings and attacks on the police more harshly.
Bidenwants to offer grants for states to address root causes of crime, such as child abuse, illiteracy and addiction.
Trump vs. Biden on Policing, Crime and Guns
Prison reform
Trumpsigned the First Step Act, which changed federal mandatory minimum sentences and expanded early-release programs.
Bidenhelped pass the 1994 crime bill but now wants to end mandatory minimums, cash bail, private prisons and incarceration for nonviolent drug crimes.
Trump vs. Biden on Policing, Crime and Guns
Gun control
Trumpbanned bump stocks after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting but has rejected other gun control laws.
Bidensupports an assault weapons ban, voluntary buybacks and incentives for states to require licenses for gun owners.
Trump vs. Biden on Policing, Crime and Guns
Death penalty
Trumphas called for the death penalty in several individual cases, and his administration carried out the first federal execution in 17 years.
Bidensupported the death penalty as a senator but now opposes it because of the possibility of wrongful convictions.
Read our2020 elections coveragefor more about key campaign issues.