Biden: Trump, MAGA Republicans ‘Represent Extremism’ That Threaten ‘Very Foundation of Our Republic’
00:13 GMT 02.09.2022 (Updated: 08:57 GMT 15.11.2022)
© AP Photo / Evan Vucci
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Biden's Thursday address largely echoed the same message he used ahead of the 2020 presidential election, one in which he called for Americans to stand for democracy in the face of extremism.
US President Joe Biden blasted his predecessor and Republicans within the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement late Thursday, calling them a threat to the "very foundation" of US democracy.
"Equality and democracy are under assault," Biden said during a primetime address in Pennsylvania. "Too much of what's happening in our country today is not normal."
"Trump and MAGA Republicans represent the extremism that threatens the very foundation of our republic … MAGA Republicans don’t respect the Constitution, the rule of law, or the will of the people," he stressed.
However, Biden did note as a sidebar that "not even the majority of Republicans" are in fact MAGA Republicans. "Not all embrace their extremist ideology," he said.
The president's primetime address went on to hammer MAGA Republicans, with Biden saying the group promotes authoritarian leaders, fans the flames of violence and refuses to believe in "the will of the people."
"MAGA forces are determined to take this country backward. Backwards to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to marry who you love," he said. "They look at the mob that stormed the Capitol on January 6 not as insurrectionists who placed a dagger to the throat of our democracy, but they look at them as patriots."
Switching to a more hopeful stance, the US commander-in-chief quickly pivoted to highlighting that "there are far more Americans… who reject the extreme MAGA ideology than those that accept it."
"It’s within our power, it’s within our hands - yours and mine - to stop the assault on American democracy. I believe America is at an inflection point. One of those moments that determine the shape of everything that's to come after it," Biden said. "And now America must choose to move forward or backwards. ...To be a nation of hope and optimism or a nation of fear and darkness. MAGA Republicans have made their choice - they live not in the light of truth but in the shadow of lies."
"Together we can choose a better path," he urged, calling on the nation to "come together, unite behind the single purpose of defending our democracy regardless of your ideology."
Biden took the opportunity to underscore that "plain and simple -- there is no place for political violence in America. Period. None." He continued, stating that the US cannot be "pro-insurrectionist and pro-American. They are incompatible."
"As your president, I will defend our democracy with every fiber of my being, and I’m asking every American to join me. MAGA Republicans look at America and see carnage and darkness and despair. They spread fear and lies. Lies told for profit and power. But I see a different America. An America with an unlimited future. An America that’s about to take off."
Protesters outside Independence Hall, where Biden held his speech, were heard shouting "Let's go, Brandon" for several minutes throughout the event. Also heard on the sidelines was a chorus of what is believed to be police sirens.
Biden's speech, which was not carried live by all major broadcasters, has received a mixed response from the public, with many praising his strong stance. Some individuals within the Trump camp, such as Trump-era adviser Jenna Ellis, have referred to the president's remarks as "grounds for impeachment."
Former US President Donald Trump has since responded to Biden's speech, calling on others to "slowly but passionately" explain to his successor that "MAGA" stands for "Make America Great Again," and that if he doesn't want follow the motto, "he certainly should not be representing the United States of America."
Trump's response came hours after White House officials worked to shut down criticism that the Thursday address was overly political. Biden insiders have stressed that the address was meant to simply underscore the urgency around the threat posed by "MAGA Republicans."
