Politics
Biden on Trump: ‘He’s willing to sacrifice our democracy to put himself in power’
By Jake Beardslee · January 8, 2024
In brief…
- Discussed differences between his and Trump's priorities for 2024 campaign
- Highlighted divide between mainstream Republicans and MAGA supporters
- Framed election as referendum on democracy
On the third anniversary of the January 6 capitol attacks, President Joe Biden spoke at an event commemorating the day and discussed his likely 2024 election opponent Donald Trump and the Republican party. In his speech at Statuary Hall in the Capitol building, Biden addressed the upcoming election and the state of American democracy.
“This is not rhetorical, academic or hypothetical,” Biden said, Reuters reported. “Whether democracy is still America’s sacred cause is the most urgent question of our time. That’s what the 2024 election is all about.”
Biden stated that Trump’s focus on the 2020 election results and voter fraud claims distracted from other issues. “Donald Trump’s campaign is about him. Not America, not you,” Biden said. “Donald Trump’s campaign is obsessed with the past. Not the future.” He suggested Trump may be willing to “sacrifice our democracy” to regain power.
Biden noted that some Republicans are aware of the facts surrounding January 6 but remain supportive of Trump. “These MAGA voices who know the truth about Trump on January 6 have abandoned the truth and abandoned democracy,” Biden said. He called for Democrats, independents and “mainstream Republicans” to unite behind democratic principles.
Biden emphasized the high stakes of the election, asking, “Is democracy still America’s sacred cause?” He characterized the 2024 election as pivotal for the future of American democracy. The speech aimed to present clear differences between Biden and Trump ahead of the campaign.