Washington DC – US President Joe Biden has touted his administration's economic performance and sought to differentiate himself from his predecessor, Donald Trump, during his third State of the Union address in the months before the US presidential election.
Speaking to a joint session of Congress Thursday evening, the Democratic president repeatedly criticized President Trump but did not mention his Republican rival by name.
“My purpose tonight is to wake up Congress and warn the American people that this is not a normal moment,” Biden said. “Freedom and democracy are under attack at home and abroad. ' he warned.
Recent polls have shown Biden and Trump tied for the White House, and their looming rematch in November's presidential election will loom large over Thursday's State of the Union address. It's dropping.
delivered speech This is an important platform for Biden. Questions about whether he is qualified to seek a second term continue, as well as protests over his staunch support for Israel despite deadly military attacks in the Gaza Strip. confronting.
Here are five key takeaways from his 2024 State of the Union address.
US to build 'temporary pier' to strengthen support for Gaza
Biden, who has faced intense criticism for months for his unwavering support for Israel during the Gaza war, said his administration was building a “temporary pier” off the coast of the Palestinian territory to facilitate aid deliveries. announced that it would be built.
Biden said in his speech that the pier would be able to “accept large shipments of food, water, medical supplies and temporary shelter,” but he did not say how long it would take to set it up. .
The move comes a week after the United States airlifted 36,000 meals to hundreds of thousands of hungry people in northern Gaza.
But the Biden administration has ruled out coordinating aid or halting arms transfers to Israel to pressure Israel to allow more aid to the Gaza Strip, saying U.S. support for its allies remains “ironclad.” He emphasized.
Critics of Biden's stance said the Gaza pier would likely fail to alleviate the region's growing hunger crisis. Israel has blocked the delivery of aid while continuing its military offensive.
“This is a huge crisis here, with 700,000 people starving from northern Gaza downriver,” Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti told Al Jazeera in advance. “It seems like just another attempt to distract from the real issue.” Biden's speech.
Ahead of Thursday night's speech, more than 100 protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza blocked roads leading to the parliament building. “What do we want? A permanent ceasefire. When do we want it? Come on,” they chanted.
Pledges support for Ukraine, touts pro-Israel sincerity
Biden called on Israel to allow more aid to the Gaza Strip, but stressed that Israel is a “lifelong supporter” of its ally the United States.
“Nobody has stronger demands than me. I challenge any of you here,” he said.
He also called on Congress to unblock aid to Ukraine to protect the country from Russian aggression. A growing number of Republicans oppose the high costs of continuing to provide U.S. funding to Kiev.
“My message to President Putin, who I've known for many years, is simple: We're not going to go away. We're not going to bow down. I'm not going to bow down,” Biden said.
Trump also lashed out. He said he would tell Russia to “do whatever they want” to NATO members who are not spending enough on defense. “The former president actually bowed to the Russian leader and said that,” Biden said in his speech.
“I think it's outrageous. It's dangerous and it's unacceptable.”
Contrast with Republican rival Trump
Biden has long sought to project himself as a bulwark protecting American democracy from the Make America Great Again (MAGA) base of Trump and other former Republican presidents, and that was a central theme Thursday night. became.
In January 2021, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, attempting to stop Congress from certifying Biden's victory in the 2020 election. Trump also faces two criminal charges related to his own efforts to overturn the election results.
During his State of the Union address, Biden took multiple jabs at his Republican rival.
“My predecessors and some of you here have tried to bury the truth of January 6th, but I will not do that,” Biden said. “Here's the simple truth: You can't love your country only when you win.”
Reporting from the Capitol, Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett said Biden mentioned Trump at least 10 times during his speech, calling him “my predecessor.”
“It was really more of a campaign speech than a State of the Union address,” Halkett said. “What was unusual was that [Biden] Although he only mentioned him once, he kept mentioning him every time the topic came up during his speech. ”
Abortion, reproductive rights
Biden has also sought to distinguish himself and Democrats from American conservatives who are celebrating the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. This landmark ruling affirms the constitutional right to abortion in the United States for decades.
After Roe was overturned, Republican-led states passed numerous abortion restrictions and bans, spurring outrage. The issue resonates with many Democratic voters who continue to demand access to abortion and reproductive health care.
On Thursday night, Biden pledged to defend access to abortion across the country.
“If the American people send me a pro-choice Congress, I will once again make Roe v. Wade the law of the land,” he said.
Citing Democratic victories in recent elections since abortion rights were stripped away, the US president also said women's “electoral power” could help the party win votes again in November. Said it would be helpful.
He also blamed President Trump for Roe's ouster. The Republican president appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court who helped overturn the precedent.
economy, economy, economy
Much of Biden's speech focused on domestic issues, chief among them his administration's response to the economy.
The US president said he inherited an economy “on the brink” during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that his policies helped revive the economy. “Our economy is now literally the envy of the world, with 15 million new jobs created in just three years,” he said.
Biden also emphasized that he intends to ensure that businesses pay their fair share, in a nod to American labor unions and the American middle class.
“I'm a capitalist. Do I want to make a million dollars or millions of dollars? That's great. Just pay your fair taxes,” he said. “A fair tax code is how we invest in what makes this country great.”
