President Biden delivered a State of the Union address that lasted more than an hour Thursday night, delivering many highlights and key moments that elicited reactions from the audience and social media.
Biden spent the first few minutes of his speech talking about Putin’s invasion of Russia, the war in Ukraine and Sweden’s membership in NATO.
”“What is unusual about our moment is that freedom and democracy are under attack simultaneously at home and abroad,” Biden said, adding, “Overseas, Putin’s Russia is marching in, invading Ukraine; “It’s causing chaos in Europe and beyond.” If anyone in this room thinks President Putin is going to stop by Ukraine, I guarantee you he won’t. ”
Mr. Biden went on to criticize those who are blocking funding to Ukraine and touted Sweden’s recent entry into NATO as evidence that Mr. Biden has strengthened the alliance.
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President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Capitol in Washington. (Shaun Hsu/Pool via AP)
Biden mentioned Trump multiple times during his speech. attracted criticism Conservative pundits said the speech sounded like a campaign speech and often referred to him simply as “my predecessor.”
”“My predecessors and some of you here are trying to bury the truth of January 6th,” Biden told the audience near the beginning of his speech, adding, “I will not do that.” Told.
Mr. Biden has focused on the illegal immigration debate, touting the merits of the failure of the bipartisan Senate immigration bill.
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President Joe Biden speaks during the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
”“In November, my team began serious negotiations with a bipartisan group of senators, and the result was a bipartisan bill that included the toughest border security reforms we’ve ever seen,” Biden said. was born,” he said.
The remarks drew roars from Republicans in the crowd, as Biden went off-script in his speech.
”Oh, don’t you think so?” Biden said. Did conservatives get together and say this is a good bill? It’s going to be crazy. That’s amazing. ”
As Republicans continued to express displeasure with his explanation of the failed bill, Biden quipped, “Look at the facts. You know how to read.”
Biden later named Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant, something Republicans had urged him to do.
“Laken Riley,” Biden said. An innocent young woman killed by an illegal immigrant. That is correct. But how many out of thousands are killed by illegal aliens? My heart goes out to her parents. I myself have experienced the loss of a child, so I understand this very well. ”
U.S. President Joe Biden during the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photographer: Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Many on social media posted that they heard Biden incorrectly say “Lincoln Riley” instead of “Layken.”
Towards the end of his speech, Biden acknowledged those who have criticized his age and argued that age is an asset.
“It may not seem like it, but I’ve been there for a while,” Biden said. “When you get to be my age, some things become more clear than ever. I know America’s story over and over again. I’ve seen competition between people, competition between people who want to pull America back into the past, and people who want to move America into the future.”
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”I’ve been told I’m too old,” Biden added, “whether young or old. I was always known and always knew what would last. ”
“I know that our North Star, the very American ideal, is that we are all born equal and have the right to be treated equally throughout our lives. We have lived up to that idea completely. “I’m not leaving, and I’m not leaving now. I’m optimistic.”
Fox News Digital’s Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.
