In his second address to the nation on Sunday evening, President Joe Biden urged Americans to unite and maintain peace following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday.
According to The Post Millennial, Biden emphasized the need for unity among Americans, stating, "We're neighbors, we're friends, coworkers, citizens," and adding, "we're not enemies." He urged his fellow citizens to "stand together," and to "lower the temperature" and "take a step back."
President Biden expressed relief that Trump was unharmed in the incident, stating, "Thankfully, former Trump is not injured." He also extended his condolences to the family of Corey Comperatore, who tragically lost his life to the assassin's bullet. However, he did not provide any updates on the ongoing investigation or the motives of the 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Cooks, from Pennsylvania.
In his address, Biden strongly condemned the use of violence as a means to resolve political disputes. He referenced several violent incidents, including the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, the FBI-involved kidnapping plot against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and the 2017 shooting at a congressional baseball game that left Republican Rep. Steve Scalise in a coma. He stated, "Violence has never been the answer," and added, "There's no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence, ever. Period. No exceptions."
Despite his call for unity and peace, Biden did not address the calls for violence against Republicans and GOP-led causes by several elected officials from his own party. He criticized the "heated" political rhetoric in the country, even though he himself had recently suggested targeting Donald Trump to top Democratic donors.
Biden urged Americans to resolve their differences through democratic means, stating, "In America, we resolve our differences at the battle box... The power to change America should always rest in the hands of the people, not in the hands of a would-be assassin." He called for a peaceful resolution to the election.
As he continued his address, Biden seemed to struggle with his words, seemingly trying to avoid echoing Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again." He instead asked Americans to reflect on what makes America special, emphasizing the need for dignity, respect, and unity.
Biden also warned against the dangers of misinformation and foreign interference, stating, "Where misinformation is rampant. Where foreign actors fuel the flames of our division to shape the outcomes consistent with their interests not ours."
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