President Joe Biden delivered his third State of the Union address on Thursday, covering a wide range of themes from the economy and threats to democracy to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, immigration, gun control, and the 2024 presidential election.
In a defiant tone, Biden criticized his “predecessor” without naming former President Donald Trump directly, particularly addressing the events of January 6th.
He stated, “My predecessor – and some of you here – seek to bury the truth about Jan. 6 – I will not do that. 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.”
During the speech, several Republicans booed and heckled President Biden, despite House Speaker Mike Johnson’s assurances that such behavior would not happen.
President Biden also addressed the issue of immigration, acknowledging the significant increase in immigration at the southern border and the political battle in Congress over how to manage it. He emphasized his commitment to fixing the border, stating, “We can fight about the border, or we can fix it. I’m ready to fix it.”
Biden also highlighted the United Auto Workers union and UAW President Shawn Fain, praising their efforts in keeping the Stellantis plant in Belvidere, Ill., open and negotiating to reopen it.
He emphasized the importance of unions in building the middle class, stating, “Wall Street didn’t build this country. The middle class built this country, and unions built the middle class.”
In a significant announcement, President Biden announced the establishment of a temporary pier in the Mediterranean Sea on the Gaza coast to receive humanitarian aid for those displaced during Israel’s military operation.
He called on Israeli leadership to prioritize protecting and saving innocent lives and reiterated his support for a two-state solution in the region.
Gun control was also briefly mentioned, with Biden demanding a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as universal background checks.
The president’s speech had a scrappy tone, aiming to dispel doubts about his age and job performance, particularly as the country’s oldest-ever president.
He emphasized his experience and understanding of the American story, positioning himself as a leader who can guide the country into the future.
