Joe Biden delivered the final State of the Union address of the first term of his presidency Thursday — using the US House of Representatives rostrum to lace into his Republican challenger, Donald Trump, without mentioning the former president by name.
Biden, 81, used the speech, delivered just eight months before his potential rematch with Trump, 77, to address voter concerns about his age and job performance, while also highlighting the differences with his likely November opponent.
Biden's Campaign-Style State of the Union Address
With a forceful tone, Biden criticized his predecessor for failing to support American allies overseas and for promoting anti-democratic beliefs in the country.
"Freedom and democracy are under attack and both at home and overseas at the very same time," Biden stated as he urged Congress to back Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion.
"History is watching, just like history watched three years ago on January 6th," he added.
Although not directly mentioning Trump, Biden invoked the former president several times during his State of the Union addess. He first slammed Trump regarding Russia's war with Ukraine saying, "A former American president actually said that, bowing down to a Russian leader."
Furthermore, Biden invoked Trump about the Jan. 6 riot, Roe v. Wade, and female reproductive rights. Biden also referred to "his predecessor" in connection to mental health, claiming that Trump did not "buy American," and more.
After addressing the threats at home, Biden mentioned the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol by Trump supporters who aimed to overturn the 2020 election, emphasizing the need to protect democracy.
The president highlighted his achievements in infrastructure and manufacturing, urging Congress to pass additional aid for Ukraine, stricter migration policies, and reduced drug costs. He made sure to emphasize the challenges he faced when he assumed office in 2021, dealing with a pandemic and a shrinking economy.
Recent polls indicate that Biden and Trump are in a close race for the White House, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch in November's presidential election that overshadowed Thursday's State of the Union address.
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Key Moments From Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address
"My purpose tonight is to wake up the Congress and alert the American people that this is no ordinary moment," Biden stated, cautioning that "freedom and democracy are being threatened both domestically and internationally".
The speech offered a significant opportunity for Biden, who is still dealing with inquiries about his ability to run for a second term and facing demonstrations against his strong support for Israel amid its violent military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
Here are the keypoints from Biden's 2024 State of the Union address:
US to Boost Gaza Aid
Amidst the Gaza war, Biden, who has been under intense scrutiny for his strong backing of Israel, revealed plans for constructing a temporary pier near the Palestinian territory to assist with aid shipments.
According to Biden, the pier will be equipped to handle large shipments of essential supplies like food, water, medicine, and temporary shelter. However, he did not provide a timeline for its setup. This action follows the recent delivery of 36,000 meals to numerous individuals facing hunger in northern Gaza.
However, the Biden administration has decided against linking aid or halting weapon transfers to Israel in order to push for more assistance into Gaza, emphasizing its unwavering support for the US ally. Critics of the stance taken by Biden argue that the Gaza pier is unlikely to address the increasing hunger crisis in the territory. Israel has halted aid deliveries while carrying out its military operation.
According to a Palestinian politician, the focus should remain on the 700,000 people suffering from starvation in north Gaza and the lack of humanitarian aid being allowed by Israel. Over 100 demonstrators calling for a Gaza ceasefire obstructed a road leading to the US Capitol before the speech on Thursday evening.
"What do we want? Permanent ceasefire. When do we want it? Now," they chanted.
When discussing the situation in the Gaza Strip, Biden emphasized his long-standing support for the US ally while also calling for more aid to be allowed into the area.
Continuous Support For Ukraine
Biden called on Congress to release aid to Ukraine in order to support the country against Russia's invasion. Several Republican legislators are expressing concerns about the increasing cost of ongoing US support for Kyiv.
He criticized Trump for suggesting that he would allow Russia to act freely towards a NATO country that does not meet defense spending requirements. "A previous president actually made that statement, showing deference to a leader from Russia," Biden mentioned in his speech.
"I think it's outrageous. It's dangerous and it's unacceptable."
Roe v. Wade, Female Reproductive Rights
Biden has also made efforts to differentiate himself and his Democratic Party from American conservatives who praised the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade. The significant decision established the constitutional right to abortion in the US for many years.
Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, several states led by Republicans implemented numerous abortion restrictions and bans, sparking widespread outrage. Many Democratic voters are passionate about ensuring access to abortion and reproductive health care.
Thursday night saw Biden pledging to protect abortion access across the country.
"If you, the American people, send me a Congress that supports the right to choose, I will restore Roe v Wade as the law of the land again," the president said.
Pointing to recent election wins for Democrats following the repeal of abortion rights, the US president also expressed confidence in the voting influence of women to secure more votes in November. The fall of Roe is attributed to Trump, as he appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court who played a role in overturning the legal precedent.
Domestic, Economic Issue
Most of the speech by Biden centered on domestic issues, with a key focus on his administration's management of the economy.
The economy was described as being in a critical state when the current president took office amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, but his actions were credited with bringing about its recovery. "Now our economy is the envy of the world - with 15 million new jobs created in just three years," he stated.
Biden acknowledged US labor unions and the American middle class, emphasizing his commitment to making sure that corporations pay their fair share.
