WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a rare Oval Office address on Sunday night, President Joe Biden urged Americans to "lower the temperature" of political discourse in the wake of an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
“Disagreement is inevitable in American democracy,” Biden stated, emphasizing that political differences should never escalate into violence. “While we may disagree, we are not enemies. We’re neighbors, friends, co-workers, citizens, and most importantly, we are fellow Americans. We must stand together."
The speech, only the third from the Oval Office during Biden's presidency, came after a gunman shot at Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, causing a minor injury to his ear. The suspected shooter was killed by a counter-sniper before Secret Service agents secured Trump.
Biden condemned the incident, which capped a politically charged season filled with harsh accusations and animosity between the two major parties. Social media has played a significant role in escalating tensions as Election Day approaches."
There is no place in America for this kind of violence — for any violence, ever. Period. No exceptions," Biden asserted. "We cannot allow this violence to be normalized."
Biden's call for national unity echoes themes he highlighted during his inauguration but has largely set aside amid a fierce re-election campaign. In his 2021 inaugural address, Biden urged Americans to "end this uncivil war that pits red against blue." However, his rhetoric has grown more partisan as he has characterized the Trump-led MAGA movement as a threat to American democracy.
Following the shooting incident, Biden softened his tone, reminding Americans that politics should be a forum for rational debate, not violence. "We stand for an America not of extremism and fury, but of decency and grace," he said. "In America, we resolve our differences at the ballot box, not with bullets. The power to change America should always rest in the hands of the people, not in the hands of would-be assassins."
Biden's address comes at a time when his position as the presumptive Democratic nominee is under scrutiny. After a lackluster debate performance last month, some Democratic lawmakers have suggested he step aside in favor of a younger candidate. Every public appearance is now closely examined for signs that, at 81, Biden may be struggling with the demands of the presidency.
