President Biden on Thursday said police officers and first responders who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine should stay home and be fired.
Speaking during a presidential CNN town hall, moderator Anderson Cooper noted that as many as one in three emergency responders in some major cities are refusing to comply with city vaccine mandates.
“I’m wondering where you stand on that,” Cooper said. “Should police officers, first responders be mandated to get vaccines? And if not, should they be mandated to stay at home, let go?”
“Yes and yes,” Biden replied, going on to suggest that he implemented his controversial vaccine mandate only as a last resort.
In July, Biden announced businesses with more than 100 employees will be required to mandate coronavirus vaccines or administer weekly tests. Employers are also required to pay employees for time off to get vaccinated and recover from side effects.
“The mandates are working,” Biden further claimed, claiming even most airline employees have complied.
Biden went on to say that those who oppose vaccine mandates are attempting to make vaccines “a political issue.”
The president also scoffed at those who oppose vaccine mandates on the basis of “freedom.”
“I have the freedom to kill you with my COVID,” Biden said, mocking what he sees as the attitude of mandate opponents. “No, I mean, come on, freedom.”