Democrats Share Mixed Messages on Independence Day
On July 4th, several prominent Democrats expressed a sense of doom and gloom, triggering criticism from various quarters. Their comments largely focused on perceived threats to the nation stemming from the Trump administration.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris took to social media to reflect on the challenging times, posting, “On July 4th, I’m taking the time to reflect. Things are hard right now. They’ll probably get worse before they get better. But I love our country. And when you love something, you fight for it. Together, we continue to fight for the ideals of our country.” This post included a photo featuring former White House staffer Doug Emov, but notably, former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden were absent from the image. Some users on social media were quick to comment on this omission, even making light of Harris’ well-known phrases.
In contrast, Biden offered a more positive note, encouraging Americans to “fight to keep it up.” Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama issued a warning about ongoing threats to core democratic values. He emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “The core democratic principles seem constantly under attack.” Obama invoked his own campaign slogan to illustrate the power of the word “we” in democracy.
As Independence Day serves as a reminder of America’s collective journey, Obama noted, “America does not belong to all citizens.” His remarks also highlighted the resurgence of cynicism and disillusionment globally.
Adding to the discourse, Xi Jin Van Fleet, a survivor of Mao’s Cultural Revolution, remarked that they were “reclaiming our country from people who are tirelessly working to dismantle everything it stands.”
Senator Bernie Sanders joined the dialogue with a post that echoed themes from the past. He noted, “On July 4, 1776, the Americans said: Don’t be the king, not in tyranny. On July 4, 2025, the Americans say again: Don’t be the king, not in tyranny.” This was interpreted as part of the anti-Trump “No Kings” movement, although some social media users pointed out the irony, reminding Sanders that Trump was elected, unlike a king.
