In a statement from the Oval Office on Sunday night, President Joe Biden urged Americans to “lower the temperature” of political rhetoric in the wake of former President Donald Trump‘s assassination attempt. He also asked for more polite conversation and civility.
Although disagreement is essential in an American democracy, politics shouldn’t ever turn into a “killing field,” according to Biden.
In around six minutes, Biden declared, “We may disagree, but we are not enemies.” In addition to being coworkers, neighbors, and friends, we are also citizens and, above all, fellow Americans. We have to unite as one.”
During his tenure, Biden has only given three speeches from the Oval Office. Traditionally, presidents save their remarks in the Oval Office for the most important ones—usually those pertaining to war or peace.
Trump’s ear was injured when a gunman opened fire on him on Saturday during a rally in Pennsylvania. Before Trump was escorted to safety by Secret Service officers, the alleged shooter was eliminated by a countersniper.
The assassination attempt on Trump’s life concluded a campaign season characterized by dire predictions and accusations of wanton criminality between the two parties. As Election Day approaches, social media has served as a catalyst, infuriating partisans on both sides of the country.
“This kind of violence, or any violence at all, has no place in America. Clearly. No exclusions,” stated Biden. “We cannot let the normalization of this violence.”
Biden first promoted national unity when he took office, but he has mostly abandoned it in the heat of a fierce reelection battle.
Biden urged Americans to “stop this uncivil fight between the red and the blue” in his inaugural speech in 2021. His remarks became increasingly politicized as his term went on and he began to run for reelection. He portrayed Trump’s MAGA movement as a serious threat to American democracy that should be put down rather than tolerated.
Since the shooting, Biden has tempered his remarks. He reminded the nation during his speech on Sunday night that politics is a place for reasoned discussion. According to him, using violence to resolve disputes is incompatible with the nation’s democratic values.
“We stand for an America marked by grace and decency rather than radicalism and rage,” he stated.
“In America, disagreements are settled at the polls, not with gunfire,” he stated. “Rather than in the hands of would-be killers, the people should always hold the power to transform America.”
Speaking when his status as the likely Democratic nominee is uncertain, Biden spoke. A number of Democratic politicians have come forward and urged him to withdraw from the race in favor of a younger contender after he gave a dismal debate performance last month.
Now, every statement made in public is closely examined for indications that Biden, 81, is aging and is incapable of handling the demands of the position.
Biden is in a difficult situation because of the gunshot. Trump has never exhibited much compassion when it comes to threatening Democratic opponents. In response to a guy who broke into the San Francisco home of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last year and used a hammer to strike her husband, Trump sarcastically asked California Republicans, “Anyone know how her husband is doing?”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, one of Trump’s favorite target opponents, claimed in an essay published in 2020 that threats against her family increased anytime the president insulted her.
Given that Trump is the target of an assassination attempt, Biden has exhibited empathy, something that Trump has rarely done in the face of his opponents’ struggles. After Biden’s team removed its advertisements, the senator made the unusual decision to call Trump, or “Donald,” to inquire about his health. “We are keeping him and his family in our prayers,” he said, summarizing the call as a “short but good conversation” with his wife Jill Biden.
The hard-edged campaign attacks won’t be gone for long. This week, Milwaukee is hosting the Republican convention for nominations.
“The attendees of the convention in Milwaukee are incredibly appreciative of President Trump’s good fortune,” stated Corey Lewandowski, a counselor to the Republican National Convention. “There will be an almost indescribable level of noise when he [Trump] enters that arena for the first time.”
Biden will engage in some counterprogramming in the interim. He is taking a plane to Las Vegas for Tuesday and Wednesday’s festivities.
“If you believe that your opponent constitutes an existential threat to the liberties and democracy of this country, there is no day off,” said Cornell Belcher, a former Obama administration pollster.
“Over the course of the week, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the campaign will keep highlighting the differences between our optimistic outlook for the future and Trump and the Republicans’ program that looks backward,” the Biden campaign official continued after Biden participated in an interview with NBC News anchor Lester Holt on Monday.
Biden has made three public appearances since the incident. He had earlier on Sunday warned Americans not to make “assumptions about [the shooter’s] motives or his affiliations” in a speech at the White House.
He spoke about the briefing he had with senior White House aides and Vice President Kamala Harris in the Situation Room at the White House.
Additionally, Biden stated that he has requested that the director of the Secret Service examine every security protocol for the Republican conference. At Saturday’s event, Biden said he requested an impartial assessment of security and pledged to make the findings available to the public.
After the shooting on Saturday night, Biden immediately denounced the violence, calling it “sick.” It’s ill. It’s among the reasons this nation has to be brought together. This cannot be tolerated.