“American Leadership Is What Holds The World Together” – Deadline
Joe Biden called for a massive new aid package for Israel and Ukraine, linking the wars in both countries to American security, while denouncing a rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia in the U.S.
“American leadership is what holds the world together,” Biden said, warning that without it, it will embolden terrorists and Russia to be even more aggressive in their threats to sovereign democracies.
The speech was a rare Oval Office address carried in primetime across broadcast and cable networks, underscoring the gravity of the crisis and the determination of the White House to make sure his message breaks through.
The speech was a prelude to the White House’s budget request to Congress, currently paralyzed given the Republican leadership battle in the House. The president called for putting aside what he characterized as petty squabbles to address the international crises.
He also addressed the rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia in the U.S. since the Hamas attack on Israel.
“We must, without equivocation, denounce anti-Semitism,” Biden said. “We must also without equivocation, denounce Islamophobia. To all of you hurting, those of you hurting, I want you to know: I see you. You belong. And I want to say this to you: You’re all America. You’re all America.”
More to come.
