President Biden began a day of campaigning in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, urging his supporters to “stand together” amid growing calls for him to step down as the Democratic nominee.
Congregants at the predominantly Black Mount Airy Church of God in Christ in Northwest Philadelphia greeted Biden onstage before he delivered a prepared speech.
“I’ve been in this job a long time, and I truly believe I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of America if we come together,” Biden said.
“We have to bring dignity and hope back to America,” Biden said. “We have to bring America back together. That’s my goal.”
Ahead of the president’s speech, the Rev. Lewis Felton gave a speech praising Biden, saying, “We are united because we love our president.”
Felton also likened Biden to the biblical character Joseph, whose jealous brothers sold him into slavery only to eventually return to him for help. He said Democrats who have called on Biden to drop out of the race are jealous.
“Mr. President, that’s what’s happening. People are jealous of you. They’re jealous of your tenacity. They’re jealous of your favor. They’re jealous of God’s hand in your life,” Felton told The Associated Press.
“Never give up on Joseph,” Felton said. “You lost your wife. You lost your children. But God never left you alone.”
The campaign halt comes as the president seeks a show of strength in the face of Democratic lawmakers concerned about his position as the party’s leader. Five House Democrats have so far called on him to resign.
Biden was then scheduled to travel to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to rally with labor union members and local Democrats. He is due to return to Washington, DC, on Sunday evening ahead of the NATO summit the US is hosting this week.
