Equality and Democracy Under Attack

U.S. President Joe Biden told Americans that “equality and democracy have come under attack” and urged his compatriots to fight for “the soul of the country.”

The head of state said this Thursday evening, speaking at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

“For a long time we have assured ourselves that American democracy is guaranteed. But it is not,” he said. – We have to stand up for it. Defend it. Stand up for it. Every one of us.

Biden’s speech came just over two months before the midterm elections for Congress, which will determine which party will control the houses of the legislature.

The president also made a direct criticism of his chief rival, former President Donald Trump, who many believe may run for president again in 2024.

“Donald Trump and the Republicans in the Make America Great Again (MCAW) movement represent extremism that threatens the very foundation of our republic,” Biden said.

“And here’s what I think is true,” the president continued, “The SASV Republicans have no respect for the Constitution. They don’t believe in the rule of law. They don’t recognize the will of the people.”

Biden added: “They nominate authoritarian leaders. They fan the flames of poltical violence, which is a threat to our individual rights, the right to achieve justice, the rule of law, and the very soul of our country.”

“I want to say bluntly and frankly: there is no place in America for political violence. Period! There is no place and there never will be!” – the president stressed.

White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said this was not a campaign speech.

“It’s not a political speech,” she said of Biden’s speech outside Independence Hall, where the nation’s founders discussed and signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

“This is another opportunity for the president to speak directly to the American people,” she said.

At the same time, the spokeswoman added: “We’re talking about agendas that are incredibly extreme. We’re talking about an agenda that doesn’t align with what most Americans think. And so, yes, the president will talk about it. He’s not going to shy away from it.”

In recent days, Biden has waged a rhetorical battle with Republican lawmakers and his predecessor, Donald Trump, and has been sharply critical of the opposition party’s philosophy, calling it “semi-fascist.”

Jean-Pierre said the agenda includes conservative support for the June Supreme Court decision overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion at the federal level.

Under the latest Supreme Court ruling, whether to allow or prohibit abortion must be decided at the state level. Some Republicans have called for a federal law banning most abortions nationwide.

“A nationwide abortion ban is an extreme step and is not consistent with the position of most Americans,” she said. – It just doesn’t fit. It deprives people of their rights. It deprives people of their freedom. And he thinks it’s an extreme agenda.”

Biden’s speech is significant, said Brendan Nayen, a professor of government at Dartmouth University and co-founder of Bright Line Watch, a monitoring group that tracks the state of American democracy.

“I believe American democracy faces its greatest threat since we became a full-fledged democracy after the civil rights movement in the 1960s. We have seen a violent insurgency to change the outcome of presidential elections, and now we are seeing threats of violence in response to efforts to enforce the rule of law,” Nayen said.