Biden targets Trump as ‘desperate’ to cling to power in Howard University commencement address
President Joe Biden, in his January 6 commencement speech to students at Howard University Saturday, invoked “immoral” attempts to stay in power in what was a clear shot in the effort to overthrow former President Donald Trump’s election cast.
He also brought up Vice President Kamala Harris, a Howard graduate, and praised his nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson. Both are the first women to hold their positions.
“By the way, she’s smarter than the rest,” Biden said weeks after announcing his re-election campaign at age 80.
Biden returned to the “soul of the nation” themes as he spoke to HBCU students, accompanied by his politically powerful financier Rep. James C. Clyburn (DS.C.).
“I see you leading and I’m not exaggerating, you’re going to lead it,” he told graduate students.
‘There are people who demonize and turn people against each other,’ President Joe Biden said in remarks denouncing Donald Trump’s election campaign
Again, let’s be clear. For those who don’t see it, don’t want this feature. There are people who demonize and turn people against each other. There are those who would do anything, anything, no matter how desperate or immoral, to stay in power,” he said.
It’s never going to be an easy battle. But I know this: the oldest, most sinister forces, they believe they will determine the future of America. But they are wrong. We will determine the future of America. You determine the future of America.’
He spoke as Special Counsel Jack Smith continues to investigate the attempted overturn of the election, while polls show a narrow gap between Biden and Trump, the leading GOP presidential candidate.
Biden also talked about January 6 and the fight for democracy.
January 2021 – I stood in the US Capitol to be inaugurated as President of the United States. Just a few days before, a violent uprising had taken place in the same place. A dagger to the throat a democracy,’ he called it.
Students gathered in Washington to hear Biden at DC’s Capital One Arena for the start of Howard University
Biden called Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson ‘smarter than the rest’ and praised his appointment of her
“For the first time in our history, an attempt to stop a peaceful transfer of power in this country. They failed. Our democracy survived. Again hope triumphed. And this time I was with a black woman, about to take a two-mile procession down Pennsylvania Avenue as President and Vice President of the United States of America. said.
“I’m not saying this because I’m in a black HBCU, I’m saying wherever I go. You stand up for truth over lies, lies told for power or profit. To face the ongoing attack to undermine our elections, to suppress our right to vote,” Biden said.
“The most dangerous terrorist threat to our homeland is white supremacy,” Biden said.
Biden received cheers when he called for student loan debt relief, even though his policy faces a lawsuit. He also called for the expungement of court records for those serving non-violent drug offenses.
He linked his case to the civil rights struggle and the Charlottesville march that he said fueled his return to public service.
“But I know this: the oldest, most sinister forces, they believe they will determine the future of America. But they are wrong. We will determine the future of America, you determine Americans who are not allowed to choose a world in which to graduate like verbal no graduating class.
He invoked Trump’s famous “good people on both sides” quote.
With student loans, he targeted the GOP, which he usually pursues as “MAGA Republicans.”
“This new Republican Party is so vehemently against it, if you sue my registration, you won’t get your student debt forgiven. The same opposition received aid loans, I might add, to keep their businesses afloat during the pandemic. Members of Congress worth thousands, even millions of dollars, most of it unpaid. Yet they say it’s okay for them, but not for you.’
“I think it’s outrageous,” he said.
The president contemplated fate toward the end of his own remarks, where he seemed to channel some of his own life choices as he embarked on a new chapter after decades in public life.
“You don’t know where or what fate will bring you or when. You just have to keep going. You just have to keep the faith you have to just get up. And if you can balance the ambition of happiness and success, that good life purpose and family, and as you know here at Howard of outstanding leadership and truth service, then there is no stopping you. There is no stopping in America,’ he said.