The stakes couldn’t have been higher.
The pressure was on for President Biden’s third State of the Union address. With the election looming and doubts about his age and fitness abounding, he had to reassure, energize — and warn his audience. Here’s how it went.
Touting his achievements
Biden said he wanted to “wake up” Congress, and he threw himself wholeheartedly into the task. He drew attention to lower inflation and a strong job market, trying to turn around a public narrative that remains downbeat despite the economy performing unexpectedly well post-pandemic. “It doesn’t make the news, but in thousands of cities and towns, the American people are writing the greatest comeback story never told,” he said.
He hinted that he’d increase corporation tax to 21% in his second term — which would likely necessitate the Democrats taking back the House — so that “every big corporation finally begins to pay their fair share.”
Threats in Ukraine, and conflict in Israel and Gaza
Biden invoked the threat of conflict in the U.S. and abroad, declaring: “What makes our moment rare is the freedom of democracy, under attack both at home and overseas.” He didn’t mention Donald Trump by name, but referred 13 times to “my predecessor,” lambasting his lax attitude towards President Putin and his lie that the 2020 election was stolen. “You can’t love your country only when you win,” he said.
He spoke about Israel and Gaza in more detail, clearly conscious of the protest vote from progressives who remain enraged over his handling of the situation.
“To the leadership of Israel, I say this: Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip,” he said. “Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority.” He added that his administration “will not rest” until the hostages taken by Hamas are returned home safely — and that the conflict will not end until a two-state solution is reached.
“Israel also has a fundamental responsibility, though, to protect innocent civilians in Gaza.”
Concerns over his age
Biden touched on fears he’s too old to seek reelection, joking: “I know I may not look like it, but I’ve been around a while.” He added that his eight decades had taught him “to give hate no safe harbor.”
He framed his advanced years in contrast with Donald Trump’s, who’s only four years his junior. He painted Trump as vengeful and old-fashioned, casting himself as the wise, experienced alternative.
“When you get to be my age, certain things become clearer than ever,” he said, continuing: “The issue facing our nation isn’t how old we are, it’s how old our ideas are.”
A promise to restore reproductive rights
Biden — who once admitted that he was “not big on abortion” as a Catholic — addressed the Supreme Court’s landmark decision to overturn Roe v Wade in 2022, which has proven a decisive issue among voters. He highlighted Trump’s conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, saying: “He’s the reason it was overturned and brags about it.”
He noted that some Republicans are seeking to ban abortion entirely, asking “What other freedom would you take away?”
“Clearly those bragging about overturning Roe v. Wade have no clue about the power of women in America,” he continued. “But they found out when reproductive freedom was on the ballot and won in 2022, 2023, and they will find out again in 2024. If Americans send me a Congress that supports the right to choose I promise you: I will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again.”
Heckling from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
Far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene interrupted Biden’s speech at regular intervals, shouting “Laken Riley!” when he was talking about immigration. Riley was killed while jogging at the University of Georgia in February. An undocumented migrant has been charged with her murder, a development conservatives have seized on to bolster their push for stricter immigration measures.
Biden said Riley’s name, adding: “To her parents, I say, my heart goes out to you. Having lost children myself, I understand.” He veered off-script, calling Riley “an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal” — a term Democrats typically disapprove of — and drew attention to the GOP’s efforts to thwart a border bill to deliver Donald Trump a platform to campaign on.
“Unfortunately,” he said, “politics have derailed this bill so far.”
The Republican response
Alabama Sen. Katie Britt delivered the GOP rebuttal to Biden’s State of the Union address, saying “The American dream has turned into a nightmare.”
Speaking from her kitchen table in Alabama, Britt claimed: “Right now, the American dream has turned into a nightmare for so many families. The true, unvarnished state of our union begins and ends with this — our families are hurting, our country can do better.”
A rising Republican voice — and just 42 years old — Britt was an obvious choice for the party at a time when they’re keen to highlight the potential hazards of Biden’s advancing years.
“Right now, our commander-in-chief is not in command. The free world deserves better than a dithering and diminished leader,” she said. “America deserves leaders who recognize that secure borders, stable prices, safe streets and a strong defense are actually the cornerstones of a great nation.”
