President Joe Biden has warned that “equality and democracy are under assault” in the US as he used a prime-time speech to sounded an alarm about his predecessor Donald Trump.
The President labelled “MAGA Republican” adherents an extremist threat to America and its future.
Mr Biden used his speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia last night to argue that Mr Trump and “Make America Great Again” allies are a challenge to nation’s system of government, its standing abroad and its citizens’ way of life.
“Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic,” Mr Biden declared.
He continued by saying that the former president’s supporters “are determined to take this country backward”, “promote authoritarian leaders” and “fan the flames of political violence”.
Mr Biden added: “(They want to take the country) backwards to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry who you love.
“For a long time, we’ve reassured ourselves that American democracy is guaranteed. But it is not. We have to defend it. Protect it. Stand up for it. Each and every one of us.”
The explicit effort by Mr Biden to marginalise Mr Trump and his adherents marks a sharp turn for the President, who preached his desire to bring about national unity in his Inaugural address.
White House officials said it reflects his mounting concern about Trump allies’ ideological proposals and relentless denial of the nation’s 2020 election results.
Mr Biden, who largely avoided even referring to “the former guy” by name during his first year in office, has grown increasingly vocal in calling out Mr Trump personally.
Now, emboldened by his party’s recent legislative wins and wary of Mr Trump’s return to the headlines, Mr Biden is sharpening his attacks.
It comes as Jared Kushner said his father-in-law is “obviously thinking” about running for president again in 2024.
Mr Kushner, who advised Mr Trump in the White House, revealed that the former president has asked him about a potential second run.
In an interview with Sky News presenter Kay Burley, Mr Kushner - who is married to Ivanka Trump - said he would “rather not go into” what Mr Trump asked him, but added: “But basically, I know that he’s obviously thinking about it.
“He hates seeing what’s happening in the country.”
Asked if Mr Trump was preparing another run for the White House, he said “nobody can speak for him on that”.
“He’s asked me about it. I said, ‘You know, it’s tricky’.”
