Biden Makes First Public Appearance Since March

'I feel great to be out here'
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 25, 2020 12:44 PM CDT
Biden Makes First Public Appearance Since March
Joe Biden and Jill Biden depart after placing a wreath at the Delaware Memorial Bridge Veterans Memorial Park, Monday, May 25, 2020, in New Castle, Del.   (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Joe Biden made his first in-person appearance in more than two months on Monday as he marked Memorial Day by laying a wreath at a veterans park near his Delaware home. Since abruptly canceling a March 10 rally in Cleveland at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has waged much of his campaign from his home in Wilmington. When Biden emerged on Monday, he wore a face mask, in contrast to President Trump, who has refused to cover his face in public as health officials suggest. Biden and his wife, Jill, laid a wreath of white flowers tied with a white bow, and bowed their heads in silence at the park, the AP reports. He saluted. "Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made," he said after.

"I feel great to be out here," Biden told reporters. His visit to the park was unannounced and there was no crowd waiting for him. But Biden briefly greeted a county official and another man, both wearing face masks and standing a few feet away. Biden also yelled to another, larger group standing nearby, "Thank you for your service." His campaign says Biden has gone to the park for Memorial Day often in the past, though services were canceled Monday. Though low-key, the appearance was a milestone in a campaign that has largely been frozen by the pandemic. While the feasibility of traditional events such as rallies and the presidential conventions are in doubt, Biden’s emergence suggests he won’t spend the nearly five months that remain until the election entirely at home.

(More Joe Biden stories.)

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