In what may be his final speech to a joint meeting of Congress, President Trump warns that the return of his predecessor Donald Trump would end the republic.
The president warns that a return of his predecessor, Donald Trump, could put an end to the republic in what might be his final speech to a joint session of Congress. The president warns that Donald Trump’s return could put an end to the republic in what might be his final speech before a joint session of Congress.
In what may be his final speech to a joint meeting of Congress, President Trump warns that the return of his predecessor Donald Trump would end the republic.
LOADINGERROR LOADING. WASHINGTON ― President Joe Biden’s fourth and possibly last speech to a joint session of Congress on Thursday night was the feistiest and most direct of his presidency, telling Americans he has delivered on many of his promises while warning them of the threat that predecessor and potential successor Donald Trump poses to democracy itself.. From its start, Biden’s speech put Republicans on defense, leaving House Speaker Mike Johnson to sit in silence as the president rallied in favor of a slew of popular causes: the war in Ukraine, in vitro fertilization and defending American democracy against the man who inspired the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.. Advertisement. “Jan. 6 lies about the 2020 election and the plots to steal the election posed the gravest threat to our democracy since the Civil War. But they failed. America stood. America stood strong, and democracy prevailed,” Biden said to cheers from Democrats and silence from Republicans gathered in the House chamber in the Capitol.. “My predecessor and some of you here seek to bury the truth about Jan. 6. I will not do that. This is a moment to speak the truth and to bury the lies. Here’s the simplest truth: You can’t love your country only when you win,” he said.. Biden never mentioned Trump’s name, but a half dozen times he lit into his “predecessor” for praising Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and abandoning America’s allies in NATO. For bragging about being able to overturn Roe v. Wade. For mismanaging the COVID pandemic response. For trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act. For boasting about doing nothing to crack down on assault rifles. And for telling his allies in Congress to kill a border security bill that would have given Republicans most of what they have been demanding for years.. “This bill would save lives and bring order to the border,” Biden said. “I’m told my predecessor called members of Congress and the Senate to demand that they block the bill. He feels it would be a political win for me and a political loser for him.. Advertisement. President Joe Biden arrives to board Air Force One on Tuesday in Hagerstown, Maryland, before traveling back to Washington.. Alex Brandon/Associated Press. Biden came into the State of the Union speech narrowly trailing Trump in many national polls as well as in surveys of the seven key states that will likely determine the outcome of the November election. One of the biggest concerns voters have expressed is Biden’s age. At 82, he is already the oldest U.S. president in history, and he would be 87 at the end of a second term.. Biden addressed the issue, as he has done regularly of late, by acknowledging it with humor.. “I know I may not look like it, but I’ve been around awhile. And when you get to my age, certain things become clearer than ever before,” he said, explaining that he believed in fundamental American values. “My lifetime has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy. A future based on the core values that have defined America. Honesty. Decency. Dignity. Equality. To respect everyone. To give everyone a fair shot. To give hate no safe harbor.”. Biden delivered the speech with intentional energy: There were more than 80 exclamation points in the prepared text sent out by the White House.. He then once more contrasted his vision with that of Trump, who has openly said he would use the regained power of the presidency to seek retribution. Again, Biden didn’t mention his name.. Advertisement. “Now other people my age see a different story. An American story of resentment, revenge and retribution. That’s not me,” Biden said.. It’s unclear how Biden’s 67-minute performance Thursday night will affect voters’ view about his fitness for the job. Though the speech brought his biggest television audience so far this year, likely until his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention this summer, just how many undecided voters ― who tend to be the least politically engaged ― watched live or will see clips in the coming days is unknown.. One factor in Biden’s favor, though, may be the incessant ridicule Republicans heap upon him for his gaffes, his gait and his physical appearance. Trump routinely claims that Biden “can’t put two sentences together” ― potentially lowering expectations so much among casual political observers that even an average performance would appear to excel.. Further, Republican primary voters may have helped Biden counter an age argument by nominating someone who is not only nearly the same age but who is facing 91 felony counts across four criminal indictments, two of them for his coup attempt culminating in the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol by a mob of his followers.. Trump has suffered from verbal miscues himself for years and of late seems to be having more trouble pronouncing words as he reads from a teleprompter ― difficulties that may get more scrutiny now that he is the presumptive Republican nominee.. Advertisement. Biden is planning to ramp up his travel around the country following Thursday’s speech, with visits to Pennsylvania and Georgia on Friday and Saturday and more expected next week.. Support HuffPost. Our 2024 Coverage Needs You. Your Loyalty Means The World To Us. At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.. Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.. Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.. As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That’s why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.. Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we’ll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can’t find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.. Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.. Dear HuffPost Reader. Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.. The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?. Dear HuffPost Reader. Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. 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