Biden declares he won’t “bow down” to Putin and pledges to revive ties with India

Washington: During his vehement State of the Union address to Congress on Thursday, US President Joe Biden declared that he would “not bow down” to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the crisis in Ukraine and pledged to revive ties with nations like India in light of China’s ascent. Biden also attacked his predecessor and Republican opponent, Donald Trump. Even several Democrats were surprised by how passionate and strong the 81-year-old president’s speech was.

Before the presidential elections in November, in his last State of the Union address, Joe Biden said that the US prefers competition over confrontation with China and that his nation is better positioned to defeat Beijing in the rivalry of the twenty-first century. “We are challenging China’s unjust economic practices, defending peace and stability on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and reviving our alliance with our closest ally in the Pacific, India. Korea, South Korea, Japan, and Australia,” he said.

Listing his administration’s accomplishments and outlining his plan for the next four years in office, Biden attacked Republicans for thinking that China was rising and America was regressing, asserting that the US has the greatest economy in the world, its GDP has increased since his election, and its trade deficit with China has shrunk to its lowest level in ten years.

“I’ve ensured that China’s weaponry cannot employ the most cutting-edge American technology. In all honesty, despite his harsh remarks about China, it never occurred to “my predecessor” to take such action, Biden said, repeatedly using the term without referring to Trump by name. Raising his voice again and again, Biden emphasized the differences between himself and his almost inevitable opponent in November, all the while allaying voter fears about his age and work record.

“Will not submit” to Putin, asserts Biden
In his 68-minute address, Biden also denounced Trump for undermining democracy and caving up to Putin, all the while hiding the truth about the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Biden criticized Trump directly at the opening of his speech for saying that other NATO countries should be invaded by Putin if they did not increase their military spending. “I think it’s outrageous, it’s dangerous, and it’s unacceptable,” he said.

“We haven’t seen such an assault on freedom and democracy at home since President Lincoln and the Civil War.” The uniqueness of our period lies in the simultaneous threats to freedom and democracy from both domestic and foreign sources. Invading Ukraine and causing havoc across Europe and beyond, Putin of Russia is on the march overseas, and history is watching, Biden said, pleading with Congress to back Ukraine’s defense efforts against Russia’s invasion. The president outlined his achievements in manufacturing and infrastructure while pressuring Congress to approve more aid to Ukraine, stricter immigration laws, and reduced prescription medication costs.

“Ukraine will be in danger if the United States leaves…I have known President Putin for a long time, and I have this message for him: we will not give up. We refuse to submit. I refuse to submit,” he said. The US President seemed to enjoy the argument and also provoked Republicans about their plans. He also encouraged Democratic colleagues to engage in call-and-response banter over healthcare, taxes, and economic difficulties.

“I’ve learned to embrace freedom and democracy throughout my life,” said Biden. “A future founded on the fundamental principles that have characterized America: equality, decency, honesty, and dignity. to treat everyone with dignity. to provide a fair chance to everyone. not to provide a haven for hatred. Some individuals my age now see a different narrative, one that is centered on American hatred, vengeance, and retribution. I’m not like that.

Biden on immigration, Israel, and other matters
Biden sternly instructed Israel’s leaders during his address not to withhold humanitarian help from the Palestinians for political reasons. “I say this to Israel’s leadership: humanitarian aid cannot be used as a negotiating chip or as a secondary concern. The preservation and protection of innocent life must come first. A two-state arrangement is the only practical way to resolve this issue going forward, he said.

As a result of his unwavering support for Israel’s assault against Hamas in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 30,000 Palestinians, Biden came under growing criticism from both his opponents and members of his own party. “I’ve been working non-stop to establish an immediate ceasefire that would last for six weeks,” he said.

Many Republicans and Democrats donned stickers and pins in support of the Israeli prisoners who are currently being held captive in Gaza. Concurrently, a number of progressive members of the House donned Palestinian keffiyehs, the iconic black and white checkered scarves that have come to represent Palestinian solidarity.

When Biden was discussing immigration, one of the more divisive parts of his speech was when he was listing the conservative organizations’ support for the bipartisan border legislation that Republicans had thwarted last month. Sen. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican who supports Trump, prodded Biden to deviate from his planned speech and discuss the tragedy of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, 22, who was slain by an illegal immigrant who had been granted parole.

Riley’s murder has been used by Republicans as a symbol of Democratic failure, blaming Biden and his administration’s border policy for the deaths of Americans at the hands of illegal immigration. During the address, Greene yelled, “It’s about Laken Riley,” cutting off Biden as he was discussing the border. “Say her name!” As he made his way to the stage, Biden responded by taking up a button that Greene had pushed into his palm, repeating Riley’s name,, and claiming that she was an innocent lady who had been slain by “an illegal..”. After stating that “legal” US citizens murder hundreds of people, he sent his condolences to Riley’s family.

Trump’s answer
In stark contrast to his sometimes dull daily appearances, Biden’s tough tone was intended to dispel concerns about whether the 81-year-old president—the nation’s oldest ever—is still capable of carrying out his duties. In addition, he made fun of Republicans’ alleged ties to Russia and chastised them for claiming credit for government spending supported by Biden that they opposed in voting.

“Trump and the Republicans have spent months going after Biden’s energy and stamina in front of the whole country, with with Biden giving them an absolute and well-deserved scolding,” Eric Koch, a Democratic strategist, said. When people posted about his speech on X, the old Twitter, the hashtag “yelling” became popular.

With the passage of the several laws he signed into law during his first two years in office, Biden outlined a hopeful future for the nation. He was also scheduled to issue a warning, pointing out that the progress he observes both domestically and internationally is precarious, and more so in the event that Trump wins reelection. Biden’s speech included important elements on access to reproductive therapies and abortion.

In real time, Trump reacted to Biden’s address on his Truth Social platform, criticizing Biden for what he claimed to be “the Angriest, Least Compassionate, and Worst State of the Union Speech ever made” and defending himself. Our nation felt embarrassed by it!

In a private meeting on Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson pleaded with Republicans to conduct themselves with “decorum” during the address, but it didn’t seem like he was very successful. As Biden spoke about increasing taxes on companies and millionaires, some House Republicans got up and started to leave the room.