WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden made a defiant case for a second term in his State of the Union address Thursday night, calling Republican front-runner Donald Trump “vengeance, revenge, and retribution.” He accused them of endangering national and internal freedoms. abroad.
Relishing the political moment, Biden fired multiple broadsides at “my predecessor” (13 times in total) without ever mentioning Trump's name. He repeatedly spoke out, seeking to sharpen the contrast with President Trump while allaying voters' concerns about his age and job performance. almost certain Rivals in November.
Biden's rough-and-tumble tone was a sharp break from his often boring daily routine and was aimed at ousting him. doubt About whether the 81-year-old president, the oldest president in this country's history, is still able to carry out his duties.
For 68 minutes on the House floor, Biden appeared to be enjoying the fight, chiding Republicans on policies such as immigration and taxes, and engaging in call-and-response banter with fellow Democrats.
“I know it may not seem like it, but I've been there for a while,” Biden deadpanned. “And when you're my age, certain things become more clear than ever.”
Noting that he was born during World War II and came of political age during the tumult of the 1960s, Biden declared: “My life has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy. A future based on the core values that have defined America: integrity, decency, dignity, and equality. Everyone. To give everyone a fair chance. You can't give a safe place to hate. Now, some people my age are telling a different story: American resentment, revenge, and retribution. Some people are watching the story. That's not me.”
The president linked President Trump's praise for those who occupied the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election to anti-democratic threats abroad.
“Freedom and democracy are under attack simultaneously at home and abroad,” Biden said, appealing to Congress to support Ukraine's efforts to defend itself from two years of Russian aggression. “History is watching”
Biden directly addressed the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol and condemned those who downplayed it.
“My predecessor, and some of you here, are trying to bury the truth of January 6th, but I will not do that,” Biden said. “It's time to tell the truth and bury the lies. Here's a simple truth: You can't love your country only when you win.”
The State of the Union is the most important night on the White House calendar, with the president addressing a captive audience of lawmakers and dignitaries in the House chamber and tens of millions of viewers across the country (Biden's largest audience). You can connect directly with your audience (which is almost certainly your audience). Year. Mr. Biden knew that attention would be on not only his personal message but also whether he could deliver it with vigor and command.
Aides say Biden aims to prove his skeptics wrong by showing off his combative side and nailing Republicans, especially over positions he sees as out of step with the country. He said that access to abortionThe same goes for taxation and medical care.
Mr. Biden, who won by touting his accomplishments in Congress, such as funding to ramp up computer chip manufacturing nationwide, has deviated from his prepared script, voting against such policies while also supporting his own country. He criticized Republican politicians who took credit for the achievement.
“If there's someone in your district who doesn't want that money, please let me know,” Biden said.
The president was addressing a historically ineffective Congress. Speaker Mike Johnson took control of the Republican-led House of Representatives five months ago. chaotic exile Words from former Chairman Kevin McCarthy. Congress is still struggling to approve funding legislation for this year, and a foreign aid bill to support Ukraine has been stalled for months. stop russian invasion and to support Israel's fight against Hamas.
Mr Johnson called on Republicans in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday to show “civility” during speeches, but it appeared to have had limited effect. As Mr. Biden discussed raising taxes on billionaires and corporations, many House Republicans stood up and began to leave the chamber. While some shook their heads in their chairs, Mr. Johnson did not hide his emotion, raising his eyebrows and occasionally rolling his eyes.
Mr. Biden rhetorically questioned whether the tax code was fair and whether billionaires and big corporations needed “another $2 trillion in tax cuts,” as Republicans wanted, leading to a shout-out with lawmakers. The team engaged in an and-response.
Biden also highlighted his efforts to fight “shrinkflation” — when companies reduce the amount of pretzels in jars and yogurt in sealed cups — and so-called “junk fees” for services. Neither is a major driver of inflation, but the White House was hoping Biden would show consumers he was fighting for them.
Congressional Republican leaders used the program to introduce one of their new members. Rebuttal in the State of the Union, hopes to strike a generational contrast with Biden. Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, the youngest Republican woman elected to the U.S. Senate, painted a picture of a nation that “seems to be moving away” and where “our families are hurting.”
“Right now, our commander-in-chief is not in command. A free world deserves better than a capricious and diminished leader,” Britt said carefully in a speech from his kitchen. “America deserves leaders who recognize that secure borders, stable prices, safe streets, and a strong defense are the foundations of a great nation.”
By contrast, Biden argued that the state of unions is “strong and getting stronger.”
President Trump reacted to the speech in real time on his site Truth Social, defending himself and calling it “the angriest, most uncaring, and possibly the worst State of the Union speech ever.” criticized Biden. It was a disgrace to our country! ”
This year, Biden faced growing sentiment, particularly among base supporters, over his staunch support for Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Biden had initially hoped a short-term ceasefire would be in place by the time of his speech, allowing for the release of more hostages and drawing much-needed aid into the territory.White House condemns Hamas Haven't accepted the deal yet Mediated by the United States and its allies.
“Israel must allow more aid to Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers are not caught in the crossfire,” Biden said, reaffirming Israel's rights but not tying aid to Hamas. He warned that it should not be used as a “bargaining chip”. Protect yourself from attacks by armed groups.
Scores of Democrats and Republicans wore pins and stickers in honor of the Israeli hostages still held captive in Gaza. Meanwhile, several House progressives wore Palestinian keffiyehs, black and white checkered scarves symbolizing Palestinian solidarity. Biden's motorcade to the speech took a detour to the Capitol as hundreds of ceasefire protesters tried to block its path from the White House.
Immigration was another flashpoint of the night.
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has refused to act on an aid bill passed by the Senate after President Trump used his influence to impose new, tougher measures to restrict immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. is claimed. help sink a bipartisan compromise That would have been just that.
As Mr. Biden outlined conservative groups' support for the bill, some people in the audience seemed to scream or interrupt, and Mr. Biden said, “You should know how to read.'' ” he retorted.
As Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, wearing pro-Trump gear, continued to shout at Biden, the president handed out the Georgia Republican's first handout with the name of slain Laken Riley on it. He held up a white button. Authorities say a Georgia nursing student was killed in September 2022 by a Venezuelan national who entered the United States illegally.
“Laken Riley,” Biden said, calling her “an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal alien.” He expressed his condolences to her family and said she was heartbroken for them.
Access to abortion and infertility treatment was also a key element of Biden's speech, especially in light of the Alabama Supreme Court's controversial decision that overturned access to IVF treatment in the state.
Biden acknowledged LaToria Beasley, a guest of first lady Jill Biden whose IVF treatment was canceled after the Alabama ruling, saying, “To my friends across the aisle, please don't make your families wait any longer.” said. “We guarantee the right to IVF throughout the country!”
Another guest is kate coxwho sued the state of Texas for an emergency abortion after severe fetal abnormalities were detected and ultimately left her home state.The case attracted national attention.
___
Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Josh Bourque, Aamer Madani, Farnoush Amiri, Kevin Freeking, Fatima Hussein, Amanda Seitz and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. Contributed.
