by Nicholas Ballasy
President Joe Biden said at his State of the Union address Thursday evening that “freedom and democracy are under attack both at home and overseas” and he repeatedly attacked former President Trump throughout the speech.
Biden opened his address on Capitol Hill touching upon Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He predicted that Russia President Vladimir Putin won’t stop at Ukraine.
“They’re not asking for American soldiers,” he said of Ukraine, asking Congress to vote in favor of the billions in fund for which has asked on behalf of Ukraine.
Biden said Trump recently saying he’d let Russia to “do whatever the hell they want’ to any NATO country that doesn’t pay enough” was “outrageous.”
Biden said his message for Putin is “we will not walk away” and “we will not bow down.”
The president mentioned the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and said democracy ultimately prevailed.
“You can’t love your country only when you win,” Biden said.
He later called for a guarantee to in vitro fertilization (IVF) nationwide.
“Like most Americans, I believe Roe v. Wade got it right,” he said.
Biden argued Trump is “the reason” Roe v. Wade was overturned.
“And he brags about it,” he said.
Biden looked at the Supreme Court justices and criticized their ruling.
“Women are not without electoral power, excuse me, electoral or political power, you’re about to realize just how much you brought about,” he said.
After the ruling overturning Roe v. Wade leaked publicly, Congress passed heightened security measures for the justices.
He again attacked Trump over his response to the COVID pandemic.
“My predecessor failed the most basic presidential duty that he owes to the American people, the duty to care. I think that’s unforgivable,” he said.
Later, Biden credited the vaccine, which was developed under Trump, for “turning setback into comeback.”
Biden also argued that Trump and other former presidents “failed to buy American” during their presidencies.
Trump had issued executive orders to buy American and hire American.
Biden described the state of the union as “strong and getting stronger” as Democrats in the chamber chanted, “four more years.”
Biden said he is eliminating title insurance for federally backed home loans. This pilot program has already faced resistance, according to reports.
He also called for universal access to pre-school for every 3 and 4 year old.
Biden suggested raising the minimum corporate tax he imposed from 15% to 21%. He also said billionaires should be required to pay 25% in taxes, which he estimated would raise $500 billion over the next decade.
Biden touted the border deal that died in the Senate due to opposition from Republicans.
“Get this bill done. We need to act now,” he said. “I’m ready to fix it.”
He attacked Trump’s strict policies to crackdown on illegal immigration.
Biden held up a pin with Laken Riley’s name on it and said: “Lincoln Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, that’s right, but how many of the thousands of people are being killed by illegals?”
He noted that he lost children and his heart goes out to Riley’s parents.
Biden argued that “America is safer today than when I took office.”
A heckler was then escorted out of the gallery for yelling.
In response to Biden’s statement, House GOP Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., posted on X: “Tell that to Laken Riley’s parents.”
Biden also called for more gun control measures and criticized Trump for not taking action on that issue.
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Nicholas Ballasy has been breaking news for more than a decade in the nation’s capital and questioning political leaders about the most pressing issues facing the nation.
