US President Joe Biden didn’t take his name but he hit out at Donald Trump in his last State of the Union speech in an election year.
The November 2024 elections seem headed for a Biden vs Trump rematch and Biden made the most of it in his more than hour-long fiery speech.
He targeted Trump on the January 6 insurrection, kowtowing to Putin and blocking a bill to tighten border security.
Biden On Trump
If my predecessor is watching, instead of pressuring members of Congress to block the bill, join me in telling Congress to pass it. We can do it together but apparently, that’s what he will not do. I will not demonise immigrants saying they are poisoning the blood of our country. I will not separate families. I will not ban people because of their faith. Unlike my predecessor on my first day in office, I introduced a comprehensive bill to look at it and all these and more, secure the border, provide a pathway for citizenship to dreamers and so much more.
Biden On Ukraine, Putin
What makes the moment rare is that freedom and democracy are under attack both at home and overseas at the same time. Overseas, Putin’s Russia is on the march, invading Ukraine and sowing chaos throughout Europe and beyond. If anyone in this room thinks Putin will stop at Ukraine, I assure you he will not. But, Ukraine can stop Putin, if we stand with Ukraine and provide the weapons that it needs to defend itself. That is all Ukraine is asking. They are not asking for American soldiers. There are no American soldiers at war in Ukraine and I’m determined to keep it that way.
Biden On American Economy
Our economy is the envy of the world. 15 million jobs in just three years – a record. Unemployment is at a 50-year low. A record 16 million Americans are starting small businesses and each one is a literal act of hope. Historic job growth, 800,000 manufacturing jobs in America and counting. where is it written we can’t be the manufacturing capital of the world. we are and we will. The racial wealth gap is as small as it’s been in 20 years. Wages keep going up, inflation has dropped from 9% to 3%, the lowest in the world.
Biden On China
Since I’ve come to office, our trade deficit with China is down to the lowest point in over a decade and we are standing up against China’s unfair economic practices. We are standing up for peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. I have revitalized our partnership and alliance with the Pacific, India, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Pacific Islands. I have made sure the most advanced American technologies can’t be used in China, not allowing them to trade there. Frankly, all this tough talk on China, it never occurred to my predecessor to do any of that. I want competition with China, not conflict.
Biden On Gaza, Israel Leadership
I am directing the US military to lead an emergency mission to build a temporary pier in the Mediterranean that can receive large shipments. Israel has a fundamental responsibility to protect civilians in Gaza. To the Israel leadership, I say this – Humanitarian assistance can’t be a secondary consideration or as a bargaining chip. The only solution – two state solution over time.
