President frames Trump as a threat to democracy in a speech marking the anniversary of the Capitol attack

U.S. President Joe Biden officially kicked off his 2024 re-election bid with a powerful speech warning that American democracy is under threat from his likely Republican opponent, Donald Trump. Speaking from the historic site of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Biden emphasized the dangers posed by Trump’s extremist agenda, recalling the violent January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump rioters who sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

In a move that highlighted the continuing political tension in the country, Biden’s address came just one day before the third anniversary of the Capitol insurrection. While recent polls show Biden either trailing or in a tight race with Trump, the 81-year-old president used the speech to position the former president as a dire threat to American values and democracy.

In his speech, Biden also referenced his first TV ad of the year, which portrays images of the Capitol attack alongside warnings of an “extremist” threat to the nation. Set to dramatic music, the ad serves as a stark reminder of the events that continue to shape the political landscape as the 2024 race heats up.

Biden’s speech, originally scheduled for January 6, was moved up a day due to a looming winter storm, but the timing remained significant as it marked the anniversary of the deadly Capitol attack. The address underscores Biden’s strategy to cast the upcoming election as a battle for the soul of the nation, with the threat of extremism at the forefront of his campaign message.