On Tuesday evening, President Joe Biden made an appearance at a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris, held at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 Training Center in Philadelphia. The event was meant to rally support for the Biden-Harris ticket, but the 81-year-old president’s performance on stage raised eyebrows due to his visible struggles.
Biden’s age and health have been the subject of growing scrutiny, and Tuesday’s event seemed to only fuel those concerns. The president appeared to be in poor form throughout his speech, and a notable misstep while trying to land a jab at former President Donald Trump highlighted just how much he’s been slipping in recent months.
In an attempt to praise Harris and critique Trump, Biden fumbled his words, resulting in an awkward moment. “She beat Trump so badly in the debate, he’s scared to death to beat her again!” Biden exclaimed to the crowd. The comment seemed intended to underscore Harris’ strength, but the phrasing left many scratching their heads, as the context didn’t align with reality.
This moment was yet another reminder of the ongoing decline that some argue Vice President Kamala Harris has been shielding for years. Critics of the administration have long claimed that Harris has downplayed or outright ignored signs of Biden’s cognitive decline, possibly to maintain the facade of a fully functioning presidency. Tuesday’s event seemed to showcase that dynamic in action, as Biden struggled through much of his speech.
During the event, Biden launched into a tirade against Donald Trump, coughing intermittently as he tried to deliver his lines. Despite his apparent physical difficulties, Biden doubled down on his rhetoric, declaring, “we ain’t goin back,” in a clear reference to the political battles ahead.
However, the most eyebrow-raising moment came when Biden seemed to let slip a piece of information that many saw as a shocking admission. He openly acknowledged that his Department of Justice (DOJ) is working to imprison Trump after the 2024 election, a statement that some are interpreting as a candid confession of the administration’s intent to target the former president.
“The same guy who has three other major cases waiting for him when he loses,” Biden said, referring to the various federal cases brought against Trump by Special Counsel Jack Smith. It was a stark reminder of the numerous legal challenges Trump faces, many of which have been perceived by some as politically motivated.
Biden didn’t stop there. He went on to reference the legal battles surrounding Trump in New York, specifically pointing to the 34 felony counts that were filed against the former president. “And by the way, 34 felonies,” Biden added, recalling the controversial involvement of his DOJ, specifically mentioning Matthew Colangelo, the DOJ’s lead prosecutor who had been dispatched to New York to take on Trump’s case.
As Biden’s speech continued, his tone grew more animated as he addressed the subject of Trump’s legal woes. “He got the sentence kicked back, but I want to watch that sentence,” Biden said with a hint of satisfaction, as if anticipating the prospect of Trump being incarcerated. The comment gave the audience a clear sense of Biden’s desire to see his political rival behind bars, something that is bound to spark further debate over the use of the DOJ for political purposes.
Biden’s remarks seemed to be made with little concern for the optics of a sitting president openly celebrating the potential imprisonment of his chief political rival. The speech left many questioning just how impartial the legal actions against Trump have been, especially in light of Biden’s apparent delight in the legal troubles Trump is facing.
This candid moment, combined with Biden’s coughing fits and flubbed lines, painted a picture of a president who is not only physically struggling but also increasingly willing to cross lines that were once considered off-limits. The bluntness with which Biden spoke about the DOJ’s efforts to go after Trump raised alarm bells for those concerned about the politicization of justice in the U.S.
In conclusion, the event in Philadelphia was meant to showcase unity and strength within the Biden-Harris administration, but it instead highlighted the ongoing challenges Biden faces both physically and politically. From his missteps on stage to his revealing comments about Trump, the night was far from the confidence-building moment the campaign likely intended. Biden’s remarks about the DOJ targeting Trump are certain to fuel ongoing debates about the role of justice and politics in America, particularly as the 2024 election approaches.
