President Joe Biden used his State of the Union address on Thursday night to draw a sharp contrast with his likely November rival, former President Donald Trump, taking repeated jabs at his predecessor without mentioning him by name. In a feistier tone than in his previous State of the Union speech, Biden argued for a second term, showcasing his accomplishments and warning of threats to democracy both at home and abroad.
Less than five minutes into his address, Biden made his first reference to his "predecessor," accusing Trump of telling Russian President Vladimir Putin to "do whatever the hell you want" in Ukraine. "I think it's outrageous. It's dangerous and it's unacceptable," Biden said, casting Trump as a fundamental threat to democracy and accusing him of seeking to "bury the truth of January 6th."
The president's animated and combative approach was designed to banish doubts about his age and job performance while sharpening the contrast with Trump. "Freedom and democracy are under attack both at home and overseas at the same time," Biden said, appealing for Congress to support Ukraine's efforts to defend itself against Russia's invasion. "History is watching."
Biden pivoted to threats at home, referencing the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol by Trump supporters seeking to overturn the 2020 election. "My predecessor - and some of you here - seek to bury the truth about Jan. 6 - I will not do that," Biden said. "This is a moment to speak the truth and to bury the lies. Here's a simple truth. You can't love your country only when you win."
The president showcased his accomplishments on infrastructure and manufacturing, and pushed Congress to approve more aid to Ukraine, tougher migration rules, and lower drug prices. He also reminded voters of the situation he inherited when he entered office in 2021 amid a raging pandemic and a contracting economy.
White House aides said Biden was aiming to prove his doubters wrong by flashing his combative side and trying to needle Republicans over positions he believes are out of step with the country, particularly on access to abortion, but also tax policy and healthcare. Taking a victory lap in selling his legislative accomplishments, Biden veered from his prepared script to take a dig at Republicans who voted against such policies but are eager to take credit for them back home.
The State of the Union address offered Biden a direct line to a captive audience of lawmakers and dignitaries in the House chamber and tens of millions of viewers at home. However, the night has lost some of its luster as viewership has declined in recent years.
Biden faced heightened emotions among his base supporters over his staunch backing for Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. The White House had initially hoped a short-term cease-fire would be in place by the speech, blaming Hamas for not yet accepting a deal brokered by the U.S. and its allies. In response to the growing concerns about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, Biden announced that he has directed the U.S. military to establish a temporary port on the Gaza coast aimed at increasing the flow of aid into the beleaguered territory.
The president also issued an emphatic call for lawmakers to pass sorely needed defense assistance for Ukraine, as acute ammunition shortages have allowed Russia to retake the offensive in the 2-year-old war.
Access to abortion and fertility treatments was another key component of Biden's speech, especially in light of a controversial ruling from Alabama's Supreme Court that has upended access to in vitro fertilization treatment in the state. "If Americans send me a Congress that supports the right to choose I promise you: I will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again," Biden said.
Going into the State of the Union, Biden had work to do shoring up his standing, with just 38% of U.S. adults approving of how he is handling his job as president, according to a recent survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The same survey found that more than 6 in 10 (63%) say they're not very or not at all confident in Biden's mental capability to serve effectively as president.
Following the speech, Biden was set for a weekend of campaign travel, holding events in Pennsylvania on Friday and Georgia on Saturday. The Biden campaign said it would host more than 200 watch parties around the country Thursday night, using the events to recruit volunteers and encourage others to get involved in Biden's reelection effort.
