During his State of the Union address on Thursday, President Joe Biden of the United States delivered a reoccurring onslaught against Donald Trump, providing a clear glimpse into the upcoming November general election. Remarkably combative yet buoyant, Biden continuously entertained reference to Trump, his predecessor, as he picked apart the past president’s stances on various matters, ranging from foreign policy to immigration.
Near the end of his roughly hour-long discourse, Biden revealed his most notable declaration, confirming a new humanitarian assignment for the US to provide assistance to Gaza. He revealed the plan to set up a “temporary pier on the Gaza coast in the Mediterranean” that would enable the delivery of significant quantities of water, food and medicine. Biden vowed this mission wouldn’t involve American ground troops and will significantly boost supply into Gaza.
While re-emphasising his support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, he openly criticised the humanitarian emergency in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of over 30,000 Palestinians. He made it clear to Israel that humanitarian relief cannot be side-lined or used as a bargaining tool, but rather it must be a priority to protect and save innocent lives. He asserted that the only practical resolution to the situation is a two-state solution in due course.
Biden began his speech by strongly advocating for the allies of the United States abroad. He urged Congress to allocate additional funding to support Ukraine during its conflict with Russia while criticising Trump’s recent remarks about Nato. Likening the current climate to 1941, on the brink of the United States entering the Second World War, Biden continuously reminded the American people that “history is watching” their responses to global crises. Reflecting on the violent episode at the Capitol on 6th January, Biden cautioned that democracy was facing a serious threat.
As Biden noted, “Not since President Lincoln and the civil war has our freedom and democracy been under attack at home as it is today. What distinguishes our current situation is that both freedom and democracy are under assault domestically and internationally simultaneously.”
In a scathing critique of former US President Trump, current President Biden recounted, with evident disapproval, Trump’s statement where he suggested that Russia could freely deal with NATO countries which failed to meet the requested financial contributions. Biden panned this viewpoint as unsafe and intolerable. The Democrat leader didn’t shy away from expressing his stance to Putin, the leader whom he has known from his previous role, that they won’t yield or capitulate.
During his speech, he faced opposition and outbursts from Republican congress members present in the House chamber. At the onset of his address, Biden expressed his view that Trump fell short in executing the primary presidential responsibility of being considerate of the American people, labelling this failure as unpardonable. This comment sparked disapproval, with an anonymous congress member calling out, “Lies!”
Addressing the issue of immigration directly with the Republicans later, Biden criticised them for their role in thwarting the progress of the bipartisan border and national security agreement that faced roadblocks in the Senate the previous month. Holding Trump responsible for this obstacle by encouraging members to be against the bill, Biden faced loud disapproval from the Republicans.
In a high-strung incident, Georgia’s hard-right Republican, Marjorie Taylor Greene, urged Biden to mention the name of Laken Riley, a Georgia student who endured a tragic death at the hands of an illegal immigrant. As Biden entered the chamber, Greene provided him with a button bearing Riley’s name. Despite mispronouncing the student’s first name, Biden displayed the button while mentioning her and he subsequently extended his sympathy to Riley’s parents. He then underlined the imperative to “change the dynamic at the border” and pressed his Republican counterparts to expedite the bill for the benefit of the American people.
Despite the contentious exchanges with the Republicans, Biden also took the opportunity to offer a glimpse into his potential next term. He highlighted the fact that amongst the guests of first lady Jill Biden at the State of the Union address was Texas resident Kate Cox, who had to abandon her home state after her appeals for abortion services were denied by the courts.
Addressing the American citizens, Mr. Biden vowed to restore Roe v Wade as a legitimate law once more, should they select a supportive Congress for him. This proposition elicited considerable applause from his fellow Democrats. Despite a declining approval rating and his advancing age, an aspect which he humoured in his speech, Mr. Biden used the stage to delineate his various pledges. These included safeguarding social security and Medicare, instating a ban on assault weapons, and reinforcing a cap on the pricing of prescription medicines.
Contrasting his own plans for America to those of Mr. Trump, he urged his compatriots to consider their ideas’ longevity rather than their own. Stating that sentiments such as hate, anger, and revenge were outdated principles that would drag America backwards, he called on the nation to keep their focus on the future. Emphasising his vision for a progressive America, he reminded them of the importance of their country’s potential.
During what is expected to become an extended and fiercely contested General Election season, Mr. Biden has a window of eight months to convince voters to believe in and rally behind his vision. – Guardian