WASHINGTON: United States President Joe Biden on Thursday addressed the Israeli-Palestinian issue, including truce talks and funding for the war in Ukraine, in a State of the Union address that sought to contrast visions with his 2024 Republican opponent, Donald Trump. Biden also stated that democracy is under threat at home and abroad and called former President Donald Trump’s attitude towards the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) unacceptable.
Speaking before a joint session of the House and Senate, Biden began his remarks by directly criticizing Trump for comments calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade other NATO countries unless he spent more on defense. “Now my predecessor, a former Republican president, is saying to Putin, quote, ‘Do what you want,'” Biden said. “I think it’s outrageous, dangerous and unacceptable.” Biden, who is pushing Congress to provide Ukraine with additional funding for its war with Russia, also had a message for Putin: “We will not back down,” he said.
The president contrasted Trump, his Republican challenger in the Nov. 5 election, on democracy, abortion rights, and the economy during a speech that Democrats see as a big chance for Biden to make his case for a second term before the House. a rare television audience of millions of Americans. Biden, suffering from low approval ratings, faces resentment among progressives in his party over his support for Israel in its war against Hamas and from Republicans over his stance on immigration.
Some lawmakers wore truce badges to mark their protest, but many chanted, “Four more years!” as he entered the chamber. Several lawmakers in the audience wore white to support reproductive rights. Biden highlighted the threats to democracy that Trump says he poses as the former president repeats false claims about his 2020 election loss and suggests imprisoning political enemies.
“My life has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy. A future based on the core values that have defined America: honesty, decency, dignity, equality,” Biden says, according to excerpts of the speech released in advance. “Some people my age see a different story now: the American story of grudge, revenge, and retribution. It is not me.”
Trump, who faces multiple criminal charges as he fights for re-election, says he plans to punish political enemies and deport millions of migrants if he wins a second term in the White House. Representative Troy Nehls, a Republican, wore a shirt with Trump’s face and the words “Never Give Up.”
Gaza port, funds of Ukraine Biden was expected to try to cool anger among many Democrats over his support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza following the October 7 attacks by Hamas. During the speech, he will announce that the US military will build a port on Gaza’s Mediterranean coast to receive humanitarian aid by sea, US officials told reporters.
Biden used the speech to push again for a $95 billion arms aid package for Ukraine and aid to Israel that had been blocked by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. The first wife’s guests at the speech include Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who was in Washington when Sweden formally joined NATO on Thursday, two years after Russia invaded Ukraine — suggesting Biden will talk about his support for the security alliance, another contrast with Trump.
