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Symbolically, US President Joe Biden stands in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1787.
Here, more than 200 years later, he painted a bleak picture of his country in a keynote speech.
Joe Biden, US President:
“As I stand here, equality and democracy are under attack.
We're not doing ourselves any favors by pretending it's different.
So today I came here where it all started and will speak as directly to the nation as I can about the threats we face.
And the power we hold in our own hands to counter these threats.«
Biden quickly made it clear who he believed to be responsible for the threat:
Joe Biden, US President:
“Donald Trump and the Maga Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic.
I want to be very clear: Not every Republican, not even a majority of Republicans are Maga Republicans.
Not every Republican supports their extreme ideology.
I know that because I've had the opportunity to work with these mainstream Republicans.
But there is no question that the Republican Party today is dominated, driven and intimidated by Donald Trump and the Maga Republicans.
And that is a danger for this country.«
Maga stands for Make America Great Again, Trump's slogan in his first campaign.
And so his followers and supporters in the party have long been called Maga Republicans.
Joe Biden, US President:
“The Maga forces are desperate to bring this country back to an America where you can't rule over yourself.
has no right to privacy.
No right to contraception.
No right to marry someone you love.
They promote authoritarian leaders and they have fanned the flames of political violence.
These are dangers to our personal rights, to law enforcement, to the rule of law, to the soul of this country.
They don't view the mob that stormed the US Capitol on January 6, which brutally attacked security forces, as insurgents who held a dagger to the throat of our democracy, they view them as patriots.
Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot be pro-insurgency and pro-America.
This is not compatible.
We cannot allow violence to be normal in this country.
That's wrong.
We must reject political violence with all the moral clarity and conviction this country can muster.
Now.
We cannot allow the integrity of our elections to be undermined.
This path leads to chaos.«
Biden appeared combative during his appearance - and called on the American people to fight back against the conditions in the country with all their might.
Joe Biden, US President:
»I will not just stand and watch.
I wont.
When the will of Americans is overruled by wild conspiracy theories, unsubstantiated evidence and outright claims of fraud.
I will not watch elections in this country being stolen by people who just won't accept that they lost.
I will not just stand by and watch as the most fundamental freedom in this country, the freedom to vote and have your voice counted, is taken away from Americans.
As your President, I will defend democracy with every fiber of my being.
And I ask every American to join me.«
The midterms are coming up on November 8th, among other things, large parts of the House of Representatives and Senate will be re-elected.
The vote is considered an important indicator for the 2024 presidential election.
Symbolically, US President Joe Biden stands in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1787.
Here, more than 200 years later, he painted a bleak picture of his country in a keynote speech.
Joe Biden, US President:
“As I stand here, equality and democracy are under attack.
We're not doing ourselves any favors by pretending it's different.
So today I came here where it all started and will speak as directly to the nation as I can about the threats we face.
And the power we hold in our own hands to counter these threats.«
Biden quickly made it clear who he believed to be responsible for the threat:
Joe Biden, US President:
“Donald Trump and the Maga Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic.
I want to be very clear: Not every Republican, not even a majority of Republicans are Maga Republicans.
Not every Republican supports their extreme ideology.
I know that because I've had the opportunity to work with these mainstream Republicans.
But there is no question that the Republican Party today is dominated, driven and intimidated by Donald Trump and the Maga Republicans.
And that is a danger for this country.«
Maga stands for Make America Great Again, Trump's slogan in his first campaign.
And so his followers and supporters in the party have long been called Maga Republicans.
Joe Biden, US President:
“The Maga forces are desperate to bring this country back to an America where you can't rule over yourself.
has no right to privacy.
No right to contraception.
No right to marry someone you love.
They promote authoritarian leaders and they have fanned the flames of political violence.
These are dangers to our personal rights, to law enforcement, to the rule of law, to the soul of this country.
They don't view the mob that stormed the US Capitol on January 6, which brutally attacked security forces, as insurgents who held a dagger to the throat of our democracy, they view them as patriots.
Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot be pro-insurgency and pro-America.
This is not compatible.
We cannot allow violence to be normal in this country.
That's wrong.
We must reject political violence with all the moral clarity and conviction this country can muster.
Now.
We cannot allow the integrity of our elections to be undermined.
This path leads to chaos.«
Biden appeared combative during his appearance - and called on the American people to fight back against the conditions in the country with all their might.
Joe Biden, US President:
»I will not just stand and watch.
I wont.
When the will of Americans is overruled by wild conspiracy theories, unsubstantiated evidence and outright claims of fraud.
I will not watch elections in this country being stolen by people who just won't accept that they lost.
I will not just stand by and watch as the most fundamental freedom in this country, the freedom to vote and have your voice counted, is taken away from Americans.
As your President, I will defend democracy with every fiber of my being.
And I ask every American to join me.«
The midterms are coming up on November 8th, among other things, large parts of the House of Representatives and Senate will be re-elected.
The vote is considered an important indicator for the 2024 presidential election.
