President Biden Calls MAGA Republicans a Threat to Our Democracy
Emboldened by his party’s recent legislative wins and wary of Trump’s return to the headlines, Biden has sharpened his attacks, likening the MAGA philosophy to semi-fascism.
President Joe Biden charged in a prime-time address that the "extreme ideology" of Donald Trump and his adherents "threatens the very foundation of our republic," as he summoned Americans of all stripes to help counter what he sketched as dark forces within the Republican Party trying to subvert democracy, reports the Associated Press.
Excerpt from the Associated Press: In his speech Thursday at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, Biden unleashed the trappings of the presidency in an unusually strong and sweeping indictment of Trump and what he said has become the dominant strain of the opposition party. His broadside came barely two months before Americans head to the polls in bitterly contested midterm elections that Biden calls a crossroads for the nation. "Too much of what’s happening in our country today is not normal," he said before an audience of hundreds, raising his voice over pro-Trump hecklers outside the building where the nation’s founding was debated. He said he wasn’t condemning the 74 million people who voted for Trump in 2020, but added, "There’s no question that the Republican Party today is dominated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans."
According to the Washington Post, President Biden warned the country that American democracy is under threat by his main political opponent.
"Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundation of our republic," he said from the seat of the birth of American democracy, the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
Excerpt from the Washington Post: Here are four takeaways from his forceful address: 1. This speech did not shy away from partisanship, 2. There isn’t much Democrats can do about the problems Biden outlined — for now, 3. Democracy has become a motivating factor on the left, and 4. Biden took aim at the many Republicans who think Jan. 6 was legitimate protest.
Democrats have picked up some momentum this election cycle with wins in multiple special elections, following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. And the FBI search of former President Trump's Florida home has thrust Trump back into the spotlight, front and center. Lots of his candidates have won contentious primaries; he's consolidated his base; and his renewed presence has threatened to make the November elections a choice rather than a referendum on President Biden, writes NPR.
"I believe America is at an inflection point," the president said in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the same city, where he launched his 2020 presidential campaign, "one of those moments that determine the shape of everything that's to come after. And now America must choose to move forward or to move backwards."
Excerpt from NPR: Biden and the White House leaned into that Thursday night with an unusual prime-time address that broke no news or made any big announcements. Instead, Biden took the opportunity to elevate Trump and make it a choice between what Biden and Democrats stand for and MAGA Republican extremism, as he sees it, and their rising influence in positions of power throughout the country. On the eve of Labor Day weekend, the traditional pivot to the final sprint of general elections across the country, here are three takeaways from Biden's speech: 1. Biden tried to reinforce the idea that this election is a choice, not a referendum... on him, 2. This may have been a political speech, but that doesn't mean there aren't real threats, and 3. There is a degree of risk in Biden's strategy.
On Friday, President Joe Biden appeared to walk back Thursday's statements criticizing former President Donald Trump and his supporters, saying that his speech was condemning the efforts to overturn a legitimate election rather than an attack on conservative voters, reports Newsweek.
Excerpt from Newsweek: Biden said he wasn't referring to "any Trump supporter" when he spoke about the threats posed to American democracy the night before. "I don't consider any Trump supporter to be a threat to the country," Biden said. "I do think anyone who calls for the use of violence, fails to condemn violence when it's used, refuses to acknowledge an election has been won, insists upon changing the way in which we rule and count votes, that is a threat to democracy." The president's comments came less than 24 hours after he delivered a speech in Pennsylvania, criticizing the Republican Party for being "dominated, driven and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans."
In a related political story, Sarah Palin has lost a special congressional election in Alaska, in a district that was Republican-held for nearly five decades. The winner, Democrat Mary Peltola, will be the first Alaskan Native to serve as a lawmaker in Congress for the state, reports BBC News.
Excerpt from BBC News: The race was to fill a vacancy left after the former officeholder died. The seat is up for grabs again in November. Former Alaska governor Ms Palin, 58, rose to prominence as a vice-presidential candidate in 2008. Ms Peltola, 49, was declared the winner on Wednesday by three percentage points in a state that ex-President Donald Trump took by 10 points in 2020. The former state lawmaker advocated for abortion access, climate action and the state's salmon populations.
Republicans Gain Control of the House while Nancy Pelosi Steps Down as Democratic Leader
While Democrats maintain control of the Senate, Republicans achieve a narrow majority in the House that creates a divided Congress.
4 min read
Nov
11
Democrats Defy History in Landmark Midterm Election
Although facing political headwinds from high inflation and a mixed economy, Democrats exceeded expectations in the aftermath of Roe and January 6th.
4 min read
Nov
04
Brazil's President Does Not Concede Election Loss but Signals Cooperation
Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro promises a peaceful transfer of power to leftist leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva amid protests from Bolsonaro's supporters.
4 min read
Oct
21
British Prime Minister Resigns amid Market Meltdown
Liz Truss becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in England's history after a rapid downfall resulting from her misguided economic plan.
4 min read
Oct
14
Political Fallout Continues from Leaked Recording of LA Council Members
Protestors demand the resignations of three council members who used offensive and racist language during their secret meeting to solidify power.
