Psaki says crime has surged over the past two years, points to 'gun violence' and 'underfunding' of police

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during a Monday press briefing that there has been an increase in crime during the past two years.

She pointed to "gun violence" as a major factor for the surge, and said that insufficient funding for some police departments represents an area where action is needed.

"Gun violence is a huge reason for the surge in crime," Psaki said. She said that action is needed regarding the "Underfunding of ... some police departments," as well as "their need for additional resources," an issue which she said that Biden has "advocated for consistently through the course of his career."

"The president is never going to be satisfied or complacent when officers are being gunned down, or when Americans have to worry about whether they can safely ride the subway or bus or even be at work. We've seen a surge in crime, obviously this weekend is a glaring example of that, especially gun violence over the last two years," she said, adding that Biden "has been aggressive in using the tools at our disposal to combat that."

Major U.S. cities continue to experience fatal shootings.

Two New York City police officers were shot on Friday, according to the New York Times, which reported that one of the officers passed away and the other was wounded.

Earlier this month, a woman was killed in New York after someone pushed her onto the subway tracks in front of a train, and on Sunday another individual was shoved onto the subway tracks and sustained injury, according to the Washington Post.

01/24/22: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psakiyoutu.be