Photo Courtesy: AP News
By: Beau Russell
President Joe Biden addressed the nation from Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Thursday night to discuss the “Soul of the Nation.”
The President began his speech by appealing to patriotism, pointing to the success of the founding of the United States and the strength of democracy. The tone shifted very quickly however as President Biden went on to claim that the democracy on which this country functions is under attack.
Throughout the course of his speech, President Biden claimed that Donald Trump and his political supporters (MAGA) are attacking democracy by assaulting the validity of the 2020 election. He went on to denounce the perpetrators of the January 6th assault on the Capitol, and emphasize that political violence is not the American way.
The President also attempted to shorten partisan separation, calling for “mainstream” republicans and democrats to unify. While the President attempted to signal a difference between “mainstream” and “MAGA” republicans, many republican spokespeople have said that the President’s comments were an attack on their party.
President Biden ended his speech with a message of hope for the future and a rally call to vote.