Joe Biden accused Donald Trump of having “tried to prevent a peaceful transfer of power” and promised that he would not let “anyone put a dagger to the throat of American democracy” in a combative speech on the anniversary of the assault on the Capitol.
Without naming him, referring to him only as “The ex-president” The “the losing former president”- a formula likely to infuriate the Republican millionaire – the 79-year-old Democrat launched a full-blown verbal attack from the Capitol, where thousands of Trump supporters tried a year ago to avoid certification of Biden’s victory.
The president accused his predecessor of having “tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power” during the “armed insurrection”Of January 6, 2021.
Trump “has created and spread a web of lies about the 2020 elections and has done so because it values power over principle, because it puts its own interest before the interest of its country” and because “his wounded ego matters more to him than our democracyBiden, who had never attacked him head-on like this, blurted out.
Trump’s response was immediate. The magnate considered that the speech of his successor, which suffers a strong deterioration of popularity among the public opinion, was a “political theater“Intended to divert attention from your”failure”.
“Are we going to be a nation that accepts political violence as the norm? Are we going to be a nation that does not live in the light of the truth but in the shadow of the lie?Biden wondered.
“We cannot afford to become that type of nation,” he said, estimating that the United States is waging, within and outside its borders, a “struggle” between democracy and autocracy. “I did not seek this battle,” acknowledged Biden, when according to a recent poll only 55% of Americans think their choice is legitimate.
Dagger in the throat
“I will not allow anyone to put a dagger to the throat of democracy“Warned the Democrat.
At the same solemn ceremony on Capitol Hill, his vice president, Kamala Harris, called out “to join in defense“Of democracy, because”the American spirit has been put to the test”.
Biden’s speech marks a break, as if he had chosen to be more combative. Until now he had favored reconciliation, treating Trump and his staunch supporters with contempt.
But reconciliation seems far away. The anniversary of January 6, far from being a moment of national unity, has exposed the deep political divisions in the United States on Thursday.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell will not be present at the ceremonies in Washington. And it issued a statement accusing the Democrats of “exploit“This anniversary”to promote partisan political goals that existed long before”.
Trump canceled a press conference scheduled for this Thursday from his Florida mansion, without meaning that he has moderated. On Thursday he repeated, again without evidence, that the 2020 elections were “rigged”.
The billionaire retains immense influence over the Republican Party. Very few unambiguously condemn the assault on the Capitol.
Republican Senator Mitt Romney is one of the exceptions and this Thursday he stated on Twitter: “We are putting ourselves in danger by ignoring the lessons of January 6. Democracy is fragile, it cannot survive without leaders of integrity and courage who are more concerned with the strength of our Republic than with winning the next elections.”.
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Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
