In an evening speech in Philadelphia on Thursday, President Joe Biden issued his strongest criticism yet of Republicans and their loyalty to his predecessor, charging that they thrive on instability and warning that their attempts to subvert democracy could become violent.
It was a stern and urgent appeal to the populace made months before the crucial midterm elections that will determine Congress’s power. Despite being touted as an official presentation, Biden’s words gave a general idea of his fall campaign platform.
While attempting to strike a balance between his own recent successes and optimism about the country’s future, Biden created a bleak picture of his political rivals, alleging that Donald Trump and his supporters pose a threat to the entire American enterprise.
Joe Biden tried to distinguish the Republican Party as a whole from Trump’s most devoted supporters. He tried to end on a more optimistic note by claiming that voters still had the power to control the nation’s darkest forces.
According to administration sources, Biden decided the timing was appropriate to give a more serious, sober reflection on what he sees as growing anti-democratic forces building across the nation after criticizing Republicans for what he labels “MAGA extremism” and “semi-fascism” over the last week.
Biden’s speech, according to officials, wasn’t partisan but rather catered to the most extreme elements of the GOP.
Doug Sosnik, a former advisor to President Bill Clinton, said Biden is looking to take advantage of a string of legislative victories, worries about the abortion verdict of the Supreme Court, and continuous coverage of Trump’s legal woes after months of suffering in the polls.
Although the White House insisted Biden’s address was not political, he repeatedly attacked Trump and his followers. He referred to them as “MAGA Republicans” in reference to the former president’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
President Biden called on Democrats, moderate Republicans, and independents to speak out and vote on Thursday as he issued a warning to Americans that their democracy is under attack by a group of Republicans led by the former president Donald Trump.