WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden used Thursday night's State of the Union address as a bitter confrontation with Republican front-runner Donald Trump, whose espouse of “grudges, vengeance and retaliation” endangers civil liberties at home. This led to lively discussions regarding the second term. abroad.
Biden's speech from the House podium, delivered just eight months before he ran for re-election, sharply contrasted with Biden as the nation's most prominent speaker, seeking to dispel voters' concerns about his age and work performance. For old presidents, it was a kind of interview.his almost certain Rivals in November. He spoke out and harshly criticized his predecessor for not supporting America's allies abroad and for embracing anti-democratic ideas at home.
“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 Russian aggression. “History is watching”
Biden quickly turned to domestic threats, citing the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol by Trump supporters attempting to overturn the 2020 election, and countering threats to democracy. He appealed.
What you need to know about the State of the Union
President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver his 2024 State of the Union address at 9 p.m. ET. Follow the live coverage here.
“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.”
“My life has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy,” Biden said. “A future built on the core values that have defined America: honesty, decency, dignity, and equality. Respect for everyone. To give everyone a fair chance. To give hate a safe place. I can't. Now, some people my age are seeing a different story, one of American resentment, revenge, and retribution. That's not me.”
the president showcased his accomplishments performance He introduced legislation on infrastructure and manufacturing, asking Congress to approve additional aid for Ukraine, tighter immigration controls and lower drug prices. He also sought to remind voters of the situation he inherited when he took office in 2021 amid a raging pandemic and economic contraction.
The 81-year-old president was being watched not only for his message, but also for his ability to convey it with vigor and command.
AP Washington Correspondent Sagar Meghani reports that much attention will be focused on how President Biden delivers tonight's State of the Union address.
White House aides say Biden aims to show off his combative side and try to nail down Republicans over positions he believes are out of step with the country and show doubters are wrong. “It's about proving that, especially when it comes to Republican policies,” he said. access to abortionThe same goes for taxation and medical care. It's part of his campaign-year effort to even use public speeches to make voters' choices clear at the polls this fall.
Mr. Biden, who won by touting his legislative accomplishments such as boosting the manufacturing of computer chips nationwide, has deviated from his prepared script by voting against such policies while also touting them. He criticized Republican lawmakers who tried to bring it back to their own countries.
“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 support Israel's fight against Hamas.
The State of the Union is the most important night on the White House calendar, with the president making direct calls to a captive audience of lawmakers and dignitaries in the House chamber and to tens of millions of viewers nationwide. I can do it. But still, the night has lost some of its luster as viewership has declined.
Biden's top aides in the White House and on the campaign are picking up new talking points, such as when Trump feuded with heckling Republicans last year and criticized past efforts to cut Medicare and Social Security. I was looking forward to that moment.
Mr. Johnson wants to avoid a similar situation this year, according to a person familiar with Mr. Johnson's remarks to lawmakers, who called on Republicans in a closed-door meeting Wednesday to show “civility” during his speech. That's what it means.
And Republican leaders in Congress were appealing to one of the new members through a State of the Union rebuttal to draw a generational contrast with Biden. Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, the youngest Republican woman elected to the Senate, plans to paint a picture of a nation that “seems to be moving away” and where “our families are hurting.” was.
“Currently, our commander-in-chief is not in command. The free world deserves better than a flailing and fading leader,” Britt said, according to excerpts released Thursday night. It is said that “America deserves leaders who recognize that secure borders, stable prices, safe streets, and a strong defense are the foundations of a great nation.”
Biden painted an optimistic future for the country as the vast amount of legislation he signed into law during his first two years in office takes effect. But he also planned to warn that the progress he is seeing at home and abroad is fragile, especially if Trump returns to the White House.
President Trump said he would respond to Biden's comments in real time on the Truth Social platform.
This year, Biden faced growing sentiment, particularly among base supporters, over his staunch support for Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The White House initially hoped a short-term ceasefire would be in place by the time of the speech.blame Hamas Haven't accepted the deal yet Mediated by the United States and its allies.
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 took a detour to the Capitol after hundreds of ceasefire protesters tried to block its path from the White House.
Amid growing concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, Biden in his speech directed the US military to establish a temporary port on the Gaza coast with the aim of increasing the flow of aid to the besieged region. It was announced that.
The president also urged lawmakers to pass much-needed defense aid for Ukraine. A severe ammunition shortage allowed Russia to go on the offensive again in the two-year war.
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.
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.
One of the guests to First Lady Jill Biden's speech was kate coxsued the state of Texas to obtain an emergency abortion after severe fetal abnormalities were detected, and ultimately left her home state.
“If the American people send me a Congress that supports the right to choose, I promise to make Roe v. Wade the law of the land again,” Biden said. Several House Democratic women wore white, a symbol of women's suffrage, to promote reproductive rights.
The White House also invited union leaders and gun control advocates that Jill Biden and her husband met as they traveled the country to promote her policies. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will attend to commemorate the country's entry into NATO in the wake of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Former Congressman George Santos, who was expelled and disgraced but still retains privileges in the chamber, also appeared at the speech.
During his State of the Union address, Biden also raised the issue of “shrinkflation” (where companies put fewer pretzels in jars and less yogurt in sealed cups) and so-called “junk fees” for services. did. Neither is a major driver of inflation, but the White House wants to show consumers that Biden is fighting for them.
Biden also unveiled an expansion plan to raise corporate taxes and use the revenue to reduce the budget deficit and cut taxes for the middle class.
Mr. Biden came to the speech with a number of issues to address in order to improve his standing. One survey found that just 38% of American adults approve of the way he is conducting his job as president, while 61% disapprove. recent research By The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
The same survey found that more than six in 10 (63%) say they have little or no confidence in Biden's mental ability to effectively serve as president. . A similar but slightly smaller percentage (57%) say Trump lacks memory and insight for the job.
Already intense scrutiny of Biden's age was further intensified as special counsel Robert Hur raised questions about the president's mental acuity. In his report last month Regarding Mr. Biden's handling of classified information. Mr. Hsu is scheduled to testify about his own investigation before lawmakers on Tuesday.
After the speech, Biden will head out on a campaign trip over the weekend, holding events in Pennsylvania on Friday and Georgia on Saturday. Trump is also scheduled to campaign in Georgia on the same day. The President's Cabinet will also be deployed across the country to spread the President's message.
The Biden campaign announced Thursday night that it will host more than 200 watch parties across the country, including in cities, suburbs and rural towns in battleground states. Campaign officials plan to use the event to recruit volunteers and encourage them to participate in Biden's re-election efforts.
___
Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Josh Boak, Aamer Madani, Farnoush Amiri, Amanda Seitz and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.