In a fervent speech marking the start of his 2024 campaign, President Joe Biden underscored the critical importance of democracy, describing it as the “most pressing issue of our era.” The address, delivered in Pennsylvania on the eve of the third anniversary of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, served as a stark contrast between his administration and that of his likely opponent, Donald Trump.
“Donald Trump’s campaign is about him, not America. Not you. Donald Trump’s campaign is obsessed with the past, not the future. He’s willing to sacrifice our democracy, put himself in power,” Biden stated.
The president’s speech, delivered near Valley Forge – a symbolic site of resilience during the American Revolution – allowed him to draw a parallel between George Washington’s selfless relinquishment of power and Trump’s relentless attempts to retain it, even encouraging his supporters to march to the Capitol as he refused to accept the 2020 election result.
Biden reminded Americans of the tumultuous end to Trump’s presidency, cautioning against viewing his predecessor’s term through rose-tinted glasses. He recalled the insurrectionists’ attack on the Capitol, a first in American history, and the ensuing chaos.
His words could galvanize a base that has been disillusioned with his handling of various crises, including the Israel-Hamas war and the influx of migrants at the US-Mexico border. Recent polls indicate that while Biden may not be a popular leader, democracy remains a central issue for Americans.
Biden also directly attributed the deaths of several people on January 6 to “Donald Trump’s lies.” He further criticized Trump for mocking Paul Pelosi, who was attacked by a man denying the election results.
As time has passed, Biden lamented, “politics, fear, money all have intervened, and all of these MAGA voiced who know the truth about Trump on January 6, have abandoned the truth and abandoned democracy.” He urged Democrats, Independents, and mainstream Republicans to make their choice, expressing confidence in America’s decision.
The president’s campaign also released its first 2024 ad, focusing on the insurrection and the extremist movement threatening American democracy. Biden, in the ad, asks, “What will we do to maintain our democracy?”
Meanwhile, Trump has been vocal about his intention to seek retribution against his political opponents if he wins the presidency again. His recent messaging, promising to be a dictator on Day 1 and vowing to “root out … radical left thugs,” echoes the rhetoric of history’s most infamous authoritarians.
In closing his speech, Biden referenced John Trumbull’s portrait of Washington resigning his commission, which hangs in the Capitol rotunda and was passed by the rioters three years ago. “Our leaders return power to the people, and they do it willingly, because that’s the deal,” Biden said, expressing regret that the portrait did not give the rioters pause.