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Joe Biden will vow to reject “resentment, vengeance and punishment” as he hails America’s “comeback” in his annual address to Congress on Thursday night and outlines the battle lines for his electoral fight against Donald Trump.
According to excerpts from Biden’s State of the Union address released by the White House, the president will say he embraces “freedom and democracy” and “fundamental values” including “respecting everyone and “not giving hate a safe haven.”
“Some people my age see a different story: an American story of resentment, revenge and punishment. It’s not me,” the president of the United States will say in a veiled attack on his likely Republican rival in November’s presidential elections. While Biden is 81, Trump is 77.
The speech marks a high-stakes moment for Biden, who seeks momentum in his reelection bid despite low approval ratings, backlash over inflation and immigration, and questions about his physical and mental ability to serve others four years in office.
But the president is also driving a booming economy and a strong job market, following a series of legislative achievements aimed at reviving domestic manufacturing. Biden will urge an “American return” which, in his opinion, has not been sufficiently reported across the country.
“I came to office determined to get us through one of the most difficult periods in our nation’s history. And we did it,” the president will say.
“America’s comeback is building a future of American possibilities, building an economy from the center up and from the bottom up – not from the top down, investing across all of America – in all Americans – to make sure everyone gets a fair chance and we leave no one behind,” Biden will add.
The remarks to Congress come two days after Biden and Trump secured big victories in their parties’ presidential primaries, all but ensuring a rematch this November of their 2020 elections.
Republicans’ response to Biden’s speech will be delivered by Alabama Senator Katie Britt and will preview some of the party’s campaign attack lines on the president, including criticism of his handling of the economy and “diminished” leadership.
“At this time, our commander in chief is not in command. The free world deserves better than a hesitant and weakened leader. America deserves leaders who recognize that secure borders, stable prices, safe roads and a strong defense are the pillars of a great nation,” he will say, according to excerpts from his speech.
Trump, who has said he will respond to Biden’s speech in real time on social media, attacked the president last Thursday.
“Biden is running from his record and is lying like crazy to try to escape accountability for the horrible devastation he and his party have created,” Trump said. “Meanwhile, the same policies that are causing the demise of this horror show continue. We can no longer tolerate this as a country.”
White House officials said Biden will also talk about his plans to raise corporate taxes and limit the cost of prescription drugs — a populist economic message designed to draw a contrast with Trump’s plans to implement new tax cuts if he wins a another mandate.
Biden is also trying to channel anger over restrictions on reproductive rights that have been imposed in many conservative states in the wake of the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that overturned decades-old precedent protecting abortion rights nationwide. The president will work to enact legislation at the federal level to protect women’s right to terminate a pregnancy.
“If the Americans send me a Congress that supports the right to choose, I promise you: I will restore Roe vs. Wade as the law of the land,” he will say.