President Biden on Thursday delivered his third State of the Union, taking a defiant political tone amid the gridlock in Congress and addressing his predecessor and likely opponent, former President Donald Trump, ahead of what will likely be a nasty rematch between the two this November.
While Mr. Biden did not mention Trump by name, he frequently chided “my predecessor,” highlighting the unusual race ahead, with two presidents who have pursued vastly different agendas.
Despite House Speaker Mike Johnson’s pleas for decorum, there were still disruptions from Republicans. Mr. Biden veered off script when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene yelled, “Say her name,” of Laken Riley, the Georgia nursing student who was murdered. An undocumented man has been arrested for the crime. Mr. Biden held up a button with Riley’s name and addressed her parents, saying, “my heart goes out to you.” Several other disruptors were removed from the chamber.
The president kicked off his speech with a declaration that democracy will be on the ballot in November. He pointed to other “unprecedented” times for the State of Union address, comparing this moment to Franklin Roosevelt’s speech in Jan. 1941, when “Hitler was on the march” in Europe.
“History is watching,” he said, urging Congress to “stand up” to Russian President Vladimir Putin. And he criticized his predecessor for his stance toward Putin, accusing Trump of bowing down to him. He spoke of the assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, saying “history will be watching.” He accused Trump and Republicans of trying to “bury the truth” about the events of Jan. 6.
Mr. Biden also highlighted likely general election campaign issues, including the immigration bill that is stalled by Republicans in Congress. He also touted Democrats as the party protecting abortion access; first lady Jill Biden invited Latorya Beasley, an Alabama woman whose IVF treatment was halted after the state Supreme Court decision declaring IVF embryos “extrauterine children.” She also hosted Kate Cox, who sued Texas over its abortion law after the baby she was carrying was diagnosed with a fatal condition. Ultimately, she obtained an abortion out of state.
