On Aug. 19, Biden will speak at the opening of the Democratic Party’s national convention
President Joe Biden, who gave up his re-election fight a month ago, is speaking at the opening session of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee for the 2024 election.
In his speech, Biden is expected to highlight his administration’s accomplishments – boosting the U.S. economy and strengthening international alliances – and make the case for Americans to vote for Kamala Harris. The president plans to raise funds for her campaign.
Harris, 59, is likely to appear on stage with Biden, sources said Saturday. Biden and Harris’ first joint appearance last Thursday to promote the administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug prices was punctuated by supporters chanting “Thank you, Joe.”
On Monday evening, Democrats will pay tribute to Hillary Clinton, their 2016 presidential nominee, whose speech is expected to precede Biden’s. Former President Barack Obama will speak on Tuesday, followed by il Clinton on Wednesday.
In his speech, Biden is expected to highlight Harris’ accomplishments as vice president and issue a warning about the possibility of former President Donald Trump returning to the White House. Biden is expected to dwell on issues related to storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021 his and efforts to undo Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election.
Trump has suggested that Biden may try to use his convention speech to regain the nomination.
“He feels he made a historic tragic mistake,” Trump wrote on social media, ”handing the presidency of the United States in a coup to those he hates most in the world and now wants it back.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Republicans in the House of Representatives released a report alleging that President Joe Biden committed impeachable offenses. It was unclear, however, whether they would seek a vote on the investigation, which the White House has long dismissed as politically motivated.
The 291-page report by three House committees alleges that since 2014, when he was vice president, Biden has used his influence to capitalize on his son Hunter Biden’s business deals with partners in Ukraine, China, Russia and other countries.
It is unclear whether House Speaker Mike Johnson will schedule a vote on Biden’s impeachment before the Nov. 5 election.
Even if the Republican-controlled House of Representatives goes for the measure, it is unlikely to strip Biden of his powers because he would have to be convicted by the Democrat-controlled Senate. Biden is scheduled to leave office on January 20 next year, when his successor will be sworn in.