White House blasts Biden border policies ahead of Trump Florida visit, citing brutal hammer killing

The White House is using the killing of a Florida mother to criticise Joe Biden’s border policies as Donald Trump prepares for a midterm rally in Fort Myers. A spokesperson said the accused man was released into the United States under Biden and later received Temporary Protected Status, while the administration presents the case as evidence supporting its immigration enforcement agenda.

Haitian national Rolbert Joachim is accused of repeatedly hitting the woman, a gas station clerk and mother of two, with a hammer outside a Fort Myers petrol station in April; she died from her injuries. DHS says he entered the country in August 2022, was released and later received temporary status, which expired in 2024; he was arrested with police assistance from ICE. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, and DHS says an immigration detainer was lodged against him. Trump won 63.6% of the vote in Lee County in 2024, and the White House says his administration has recorded 17 straight months without border releases.