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Biden accuses Trump, supporters of holding 'dagger at throat' of democracy

70 Comments
By MARY CLARE JALONICK, LISA MASCARO and ZEKE MILLER

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Trump's claims of widespread election fraud were rejected by the courts and refuted by his own Justice Department.

The above one more example of the separate realities seen by Trump and his herds, some of whom actually believe that aliens firing lasers started forest fires in California. And all believe more in their Trump than they do in US institutions, and that Trump will take on what they call the 'establishment', and refuse to recognize that in his brief and highly damaging time in the White House Trump and his fellow establishment Republicans did more to benefit the wealthiest members of his faction of the establishment, and did little to help those at the lower rungs of the US caste system, beyond pandering to the white nationalists among them. Trump is the most divisive politician in modern US history and his attacks on voting and elections continue further undermining the few remaining democratic bits of what was the US republic. And Trump has far right media and authoritarian despots around the globe helping him try to bury democracies.

9 ( +26 / -17 )

Republican leaders and lawmakers largely stayed away from the day's events, dismissing them as overly politicized — some continuing to spread false claims about the election.

American democracy has always been deeply flawed, but it has become nigh unworkable.

One solution would be ranked choice voting. Break the grip of the dysfunctional two party duopoly.

11 ( +21 / -10 )

Trump's "bruised ego matters more to him than our democracy or our Constitution"

—President Joe Biden

This is absolutely true. Everything Trump does is in service to his own ego. He is a deranged man and should never have been chosen to represent a popular political movement.

12 ( +31 / -19 )

I'm not saying that I want this to happen, but it's obvious that the US is going to break up into at least two, probably more, separate countries. It's just inevitable. Hopefully it will be done peacefully.

-7 ( +14 / -21 )

He’s not wrong

0 ( +16 / -16 )

Well said, PTownsend.

1 ( +17 / -16 )

An eloquent and heartfelt speech. Well said.

11 ( +27 / -16 )

And Trump is a madman. This Canadian says so. I've lived for almost 70 years, north of a country I used to respect and love to visit. But you'll never, ever, find me going there again. It's a sick, sick country. And not deserving of so-called 'world leadership'. Move the UN to Switzerland. Get it over with.

8 ( +24 / -16 )

Republican or Democrat doesn't matter anymore. It's talking about two separate systems for two soon to be separate countries. Let each party have its way with its future country. If you're annoyed with one party, then just chill because it won't be a party that affects your country for much longer. No need to get all upset about things. Again, not saying that I want this to happen, but it seems to be inevitable.

-8 ( +8 / -16 )

I'm no Trump fan or Republican, but Biden and the Democrats have control of the government as we speak (House, Senate, White House). If anything isn't getting done, it's on Biden and the dems.

How are doing with the minimum wage?

How are we doing with revamping the healthcare system?

How are we doing with student loan debt?

How are we doing with fixing our infrastructure?

Stop blaming Republicans for your own party's failure to get things done. Why aren't you using your executive order? Expect a Republican landslide in the midterms.

-8 ( +20 / -28 )

As much at Trump hates Hillary like dogs hate cats, she at least admitted defeat. Almost all Trump people think that Trump is still president.

3 ( +20 / -17 )

they believe in the Constitutional right to speak out 

Spreading disinformation about the 2020 election is not a right. All of Trump’s hooey about election fraud has been thoroughly debunked, even by his own people doing multiple recounts. This kind of disinformation undermines trust in democratic institutions and encourages anti-democratic action, be it through legislation or violence. And we have seen both from the GOP.

8 ( +21 / -13 )

Trump is the most divisive politician in modern US history

I will give you that and that’s refreshing because more and more Americans are getting tired of the status quo.

https://nypost.com/2021/12/27/gop-leads-among-independent-voters-ahead-of-2022-midterms/

and his attacks on voting and elections continue further undermining the few remaining democratic bits of what was the US republic.

Absolute nonsense, the Democrats want this voting right passed (which it won’t) because it would give them full power of how US elections are conducted, if it were to pass (it won’t) then that would be the end of democracy and fair elections as we know it and Manchin and Sinema are not going to let their party do that. They understand how vital the process is for all Americans.

And Trump has far right media and authoritarian despots around the globe helping him try to bury democracies.

Around the globe??? Proof?

-9 ( +17 / -26 )

I'm no Trump fan or Republican, but Biden and the Democrats have control of the government as we speak (House, Senate, White House). If anything isn't getting done, it's on Biden and the dems.

How are doing with the minimum wage?

How are we doing with revamping the healthcare system?

How are we doing with student loan debt?

How are we doing with fixing our infrastructure?

Stop blaming Republicans for your own party's failure to get things done. Why aren't you using your executive order? Expect a Republican landslide in the midterms.

That is exactly right.

-6 ( +20 / -26 )

This was a lost opportunity to unify the nation not further divide it. the only thing Joe Biden is supposedly good at is empathy and bringing people together. He failed.

and no Kamala this is not the same as Pearl Harbor or 9/11.

Dems just trying to take advantage of this day for partisan politics and to try to win an election with it. “A dagger at the throat of democracy”? Who writes this nonsense?

-4 ( +18 / -22 )

"The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a President for all Americans — whether you voted for me or not. I will keep the faith that you have placed in me."

Hasn’t done the work and is not the President for all Americans when he keeps attacking half of them.

-4 ( +18 / -22 )

The most urgent threat to the very basic form of human rights.

The Right to Life. ...

The Right to Freedom from Torture. ...

The Right to equal treatment. ...

The Right to privacy. ...

The Right to asylum. ...

The Right to marry. ...

The Right to freedom of thought, opinion and expression. ...

The Right to work.

All were never in were never in danger from Donald Trump.

Joe Biden's administration need to focus on the here and now.

The Governments of China and Russian federation.

1 ( +13 / -12 )

Trump is a traitor to my country. But worse are the Republicans who refuse to clean house and return the party to what it used to be, before they allowed Trump to become their Presidential candidate. I've hated the Democrats my whole life. Unitl 2016. I could see then just by listening to Trump talk that this man could cause massive damage to the country, I totally underestimated his potential, and overestimated the common sense and intelligence level of the average American voter. We will not allow a "civil war" to happen.

I absolutely agree with President Biden's address.

6 ( +23 / -17 )

a President with a disapproval rating of 56-60% just attacked everyone who doesn’t support him.

then his VP tried to make this equivalent to 9//11 and Pearl Harbor.

the only Biden support left is probably teachers unions and far leftists after this divisive speech.

-7 ( +16 / -23 )

“For the first time in our history, a president not just lost an election, he tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power as a violent mob breached the Capitol,” Biden said. “You can’t love your country only when you win."

Well said Joe - and you sure triggered the pro-Trump crowd here...LOL..

7 ( +18 / -11 )

The cynic in me sees all this hyperbole and faux outrage directed at one thing- the 2022 midterm elections. If the Democrats can continue to use Trump as a whipping boy and keep him in the public eye, it will distract voters from the real issues that should take prominence. TDS as political strategy is the name of the game. Anything to avoid the beating they are doomed to take in November.

-5 ( +11 / -16 )

Yes if Dems lose the election with this as their primary “achievement” we will never hear of it again.

it it works, then Dems will just become more insufferable with the hyperbole than ever.

-9 ( +12 / -21 )

“We must be absolutely clear about what is true and what is a lie,” Biden said. "The former president of the United States of America has spread a web of lies about the 2020 election."

BINGO!

“I did not seek this fight, brought to this Capitol one year from today. But I will not shrink from it either. I will stand in this breach, I will defend this nation. I will allow no one to place a dagger at the throat of this democracy.”

And that is what Trump and his supplicant Repub anti-democrats are doing. Refusing to accept defeat like an adult, but ranting and raving about the fantasy of fraud, which he has lost in court proving 61 times and even his fake audit in Arizona proved didn't exist. The only fraud is Trump continuing to fleece his flock of their money...

Reps Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz stood by their refusal to certify Biden's election that day — “We're ashamed of nothing,” Gaetz said on a podcast.

Obviously. One is an anti-Semite and the other a child molester....they wouldn't know shame if it hit them in the face... And watch out for those religious-funded space lasers...

Rep Liz Cheney, chair of the House committee investigating the attack and one of the few GOP lawmakers attending the Capitol ceremonies, warned that “the threat continues.” Trump, she said, "continues to make the same claims that he knows caused violence on January 6.”

One of the handful of real Republicans left - and she has a bigger pair than any of the neutered Repubs like Graham and Cruz...

As long as Trump and his blinded followers continue to spread fascist anti-democratic lies about his loss, and mimic Putin, Xi, The Mullahs, and the Generals in Myanmar....our democracy and The Constitution will continue to have a dagger at its throat...

7 ( +18 / -11 )

Interesting to see how Dick Cheney has risen in the eyes of the Democratic party and the media (but I repeat myself). I thought he was a war criminal? Now he is a "respected elder".... I guess anyone from the other side who agrees with the Democratic party line is redeemed.

-10 ( +8 / -18 )

This may have been a good opportunity to begin properly healing America, finding common ground and uniting the country again, emphasising shared beliefs and goals. Underlining the divide, picking at wounds and stirring up more aggro was not a good idea.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

Kurumazaka, I am serious. Nobody has explained yet how a disorganized group of idiots, with no firearms, no leadership, and no political manifesto, were somehow going to remotely threaten America's political institutions. I think for most Democratic politicians, "threat to our democracy" really means "threat to our stranglehold on power".

Washington's elites (and I mean from both parties) live in a bubble that is insulated from what happens in the rest of the country. I do not condone the violence, I do not question the results of the election. I DO question the selective outrage and posturing that has accompanied this whole event, culminating in the very well organized media coverage and fearmongering campaign by Democratic politicians.

-11 ( +7 / -18 )

Biden finally broke his silence giving a speech that came too late to shut the stable door on Trump's Big Lie which has now been given a whole year to metastasize at warp speed and infect the body politic to the point where the poison will linger for years to come. Arrests of the top conspirators and traitors should have been made long ago because we all know where the buck stops and the identity of the one man responsible for this attack on America's electoral process. The failure of the Dems and DOJ to dress the instigators and donors in orange by now may have fatal consequences for the future viability of the republic as we know it since the door to despotism has been opening ever wider since January 6th.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

President Joe Biden has enough on his plate.

Inflation close to out of control, a pandemic, two nuclear armed dictators breathing down his neck. a congress and senate split on essential economic policy legislation.

And the best course of action is to blow raspberry's at Trump.

“We must pass voting rights bills,” said Harris, addressing those gathered. “We cannot sit on the sidelines. We must unite in defense of our democracy.”

This is Harris top priority agenda?

Above the pandemic? Above the need for a consistent, funded affordable methodology to relive extreme poverty and hardship.

All pollical parties need to reach a common ground.

That wont happen if Government finger point and mull over Trump.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

Indeed. Trump calls the vaccine a "miracle", says it is completely "safe and it works", and has had three jabs...

The one you took twice already, can't wait to be first in line for the 3rd shot this Spring and doubted in 2020? Talking about a complete 180. It sounds like you should thank the man instead of wishing his demise on a daily basis.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

January 6th was such an ugly day. It was based on an ugly rumor that it was stolen by an ugly man. Then an ugly mob tried to help this ugly man's desire to be forcibly reinstalled as president. Never before has such a thing in U.S. history ever happened. Now this ugly man with the help of his ugly followers is trying to prevent American citizens from voting because that is the only way they can win without any new ideas. They truly know Trump's loss in 2020 had nothing to do with voter fraud and everything to do with being less popular than the other party. It's a shame that they refuse to recognize and accept this fact.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Zichi, exactly ONE person was charged with carrying firearms to the riot. And he didn't even enter the Capitol. The rest were improvising, as idiots do at a riot. It says a lot that people think 'our democracy' can be overthrown by flagpoles and fire extinguishers.

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

Zichi, exactly ONE person was charged with carrying firearms to the riot. And he didn't even enter the Capitol. 

So, what? January 6th wasn't a big deal, because only one person was arrested with a firearm? A ridiculous assertion. While it's good that only person arrested was apparently armed, that in no way diminishes the gravity of the situation. It was very clear what they were doing in the Capital- trying to overthrow the election.

It says a lot that people think 'our democracy' can be overthrown by flagpoles and fire extinguishers.

Yeah and threatening representatives to vote to reject the election results. Let's also not forget Peter Navarro openly admits to trying to throw out the election results. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB8wwHJ4LFs

only 55% surveyed say that Biden was legitimately elected. And that number decreases every time they ask it.

According to who? Link please.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

Kurumazaka- it happened because a small minority of people attending a mostly peaceful political demonstration decided to act like idiots. The vast majority of people who attended Trump's speech that day went, listened, and then went home.

And the fact that a shambling swamp creature like Biden was able to win the election is reason enough that electoral reform is desperately needed. Too many states were free-lancing how to run their elections. Understandable due to the circumstances around the pandemic, but should not be allowed to continue.

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

To compare events of January 6th to the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and the atrocities of the plane hitting the Twin Towers is frankly contemptable.

How on earth can committees come together 2022?

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Because, as we're finding our each day, in weeks leading up to Jan 6th, there was collusion between these far-right domestic terrorist groups, members of the President's inner circle, and Repub members of Congress....it was a planned coup....that failed....

And the Feds were aware of this, they even had snipers positioned on the roofs and across the street and still, these people were allowed on the grounds, why? Where was all the security and why didn't they all have riot gear knowing what could possibly happen? Why won't Pelosi answer any of these questions since she was in charge of overseeing the Capitol security?

More far-out conspiracy theories

That goes both ways and why won't the Feds talk about Ray Epps? Out of everyone that was arrested, the main instigator of all of this is just completely incognito.

More weak white-washing attempts...first the rioters are all patriots,

Who determines what a Patriot is, the left?

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

Lincoln...there was collusion? Where have I heard that word before....

To do what exactly? If there was actually a plan to overthrow the government, don't you think they would have done a better job of it? Militias and far right groups are famous (or infamous) for how well armed they are. Yet somehow, in spite of all their 'colluding', they managed to leave all their guns at home. They also managed to not have any kind of political manifesto or rationale ready to go once they overthrew the government.

Sorry, you will have to do better than that.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

Today marks one year since the deadly Capitol insurrection

https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/january-6-capitol-insurrection-anniversary/index.html

Please as any individual or group been changed with insurrection?

This is a gruesome form of political self harm.

Harris 'Will it be remembered as a moment that accelerated the unraveling of the oldest and greatest democracy in the world?

From a US Vice President.

Pompous and frank historic delinquency.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

The bit where you said Democrats were 'like cockroaches',

I didn't specifically say they WERE, I never implied that. But nice try.

before the mods were generous enough to delete that bit for you. 

They can think what they want, they're not in my head and no one can tell me what or how I interpret what I say, I'm a big boy and if I meant it, I would stand by it. Funny, the left can say what they want and when they want and can never second guess them, but when a conservative says something, the left can interpret it as they please and again, this is why no one takes the left seriously and why the Dems are all out the door this November, people have just had enough with this one-sided partisan attack on all conservatives.

How many times did Trump lose in court? How many times was election fraud found? 

I personally don't care about it, unlike the left I do what the Republicans are doing and that is focusing on November, that is the real end goal and the clock continues to countdown.

-13 ( +4 / -17 )

History of the Insurrection Act: https://www.history.com/news/insurrection-act-thomas-jefferson-aaron-burr

Trump and his administration are very lucky they are not in jail, yet. The law is very clear.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Zichi, I will forgive you for using....Buzzfeed... as a legitimate journalistic source. But even taking them at their word, only 3 people were arrested for firearms, none of whom actually entered the Capitol building. Three people out of the thousands who were there. Three.

The story also says that many of the rioters either stole weapons (but not firearms) from the police or used improvised weapons. This actually makes my point, that there was no collusion involved. Why would they need to steal or improvise weapons if this were a planned coup to overthrow the government? It shows that they were violent thugs for the most part, nothing more.

Gotcha.

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

It is essential that the perpetrators of the Jan 6 rioting are brought to book. If the alleged offenders were carrying illegal fire arms with intent. Out of the 700 reported FBI arrests how many have been charged and convicted?

There is little doubt that the media have not be short in coming forward with the most extreme inflammatory and sensational language/reporting.

So how may convictions?

Are there any for insurrection?

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Readers, if you have already posted on this thread, please refrain from posting further comments for at least two hours.

Seems even MAGA-world can't agree on what to call Jan 6th....

"We are approaching a solemn anniversary this week," Cruz said during a committee hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill. "And it is an anniversary of a violent terrorist attack on the Capitol where we saw the men and women of law enforcement demonstrate incredible courage, incredible bravery, risk their lives to defend the men and women who serve in this Capitol."

Tucker Carlson didn't like that.....

"He described January 6th as a violent terrorist attack. Of all the things January 6th was, it was definitely not a violent terrorist attack," Carlson said. It was not a violent terrorist attack. Sorry! So why are you telling us it was, Ted Cruz?"

So, who's right (as in correct) here?

5 ( +8 / -3 )

The riot today one year ago at the Capitol hill by Trump supporters was a mind-boggling event indeed questioning us what American democracy really is.

If the claim by the Trump camp that the election was stolen by the Biden camp was true and hence the riot occurred because of it, there would be no democracy in the U.S. Or if such a claim wasn't true, the very fact that the riot occurred has shown the fact that there is no democracy in the U.S.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

AttilathehungryToday  11:06 am JST

Zichi, I will forgive you for using....Buzzfeed... as a legitimate journalistic source. But even taking them at their word, only 3 people were arrested for firearms, none of whom actually entered the Capitol building. Three people out of the thousands who were there. Three.

The story also says that many of the rioters either stole weapons (but not firearms) from the police or used improvised weapons. This actually makes my point, that there was no collusion involved. Why would they need to steal or improvise weapons if this were a planned coup to overthrow the government? It shows that they were violent thugs for the most part, nothing more.

You appear to be assuming that it was a well planned coup. Nothing about Trump's actions following the election, i.e. the barrage of failed lawsuits and assuming Mike Pence could overturn the result, indicates there was anything well planned or smart going on. A lot of things Trump and his cohorts do turn into embarassing farces so I think being involved in something so dumb and shambolic is very consistent with his MO.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Biden nailed it. Great speech.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Ossan

I've hated Republicans my entire life.

Come on in. The water's fine.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Attack, counter-attack, more counter-counter-attack, and they go on.

Deception, counter-deception, more counter-counter-deception, and they never stop.

Do leaders have nothing else better to do?

Are they not responsible for the welfare of their subjects..?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

"Without naming him, Biden belittled Trump. He minimized him. He said 'we're not negotiating. I don't need to understand you anymore. This is about good versus bad.' It was an essential pivot." Divisive? Right versus wrong tends to be.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Trump's response to Biden's speech today is priceless.

I can imagine him, sitting in the bridal suite at Mar-A-Lago rage watching, his gravid belly heaving as he bellows for whatever scribe will translate his rantings.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

The fact @GOP is more upset over Biden’s speech today than the actual insurrection tells us all we need to know about them.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

"Without naming him, Biden belittled Trump.

As if trump cares what Biden thinks or says.

He minimized him. He said 'we're not negotiating. I don't need to understand you anymore. This is about good versus bad.' It was an essential pivot." Divisive? Right versus wrong tends to be.

Well, it was good for the "hang 'em up high" crowd for sure. But this committee or whatever you want to call it won't save them this November and it won't lower gas prices, food shortages, housing, and medical costs, defeat COVID, help kids that are falling behind, help the border, lower the crime rates, the shoplifting the looting, the defunding of our police, the deteriorating race relations, none of it.

These are the issues that people are most concerned about and the now (for now) ruling classes are focused on 1/6 and this is why, this is their very last run at this because after November, this will all be but a distant memory and the Dems are once again putting all of their eggs in one pocket.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

The fact @GOP is more upset over Biden’s speech today

Not upset, we are just amazed at his speechwriter for going all out on the rant and still wondering the purpose of it was, and the only thing that the GOP is upset about is that the left doesn't want to have an honest conversation about this until you jump on the jump hate bandwagon, then and only then will you be allowed to say whatever you want with impunity.

than the actual insurrection

Trespassing, read the complaint and the court documents.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Well, trump lost to Biden, so he does care a lot.

The heartburn that Biden is causing trump's boys is hilarious!!!

10 ( +13 / -3 )

To understand trump's rage you have to understand the overall context.

Not only did he lose the election, he is facing bankruptcy, criminal charges, his wife is doing a garage sale just to pay the bills, one daughter doesn't talk to him and sons are having mental breakdowns.

That man has lost a lot!!!

11 ( +14 / -3 )

Trump promised to drive by a MAGA rally in COVID-19 infested Florida today to mark the Jan. 6th anniversary. Supporters and right-wing news came. Trump never showed and instead spent the day whining about Biden's speech.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Ulysses... ah yes, 'Covid infested Florida'. Where Democratic lawmakers go on vacation to party sans mask. Must be a terrible place indeed.

But really, the entire event today was pitiful. A carefully orchestrated attempt by both the Democratic Party and their valued allies in the mass media to wring every last bit of sympathy out of the events that took place last year. The cast of the musical "Hamilton" singing? Embarrassing comparisons to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor? Reporters on CNN consoling each other about the 'trauma' and PTSD that they suffered, even though they weren't actually there? This is especially rich, considering the dozens of journalists who were actually assaulted and threatened while covering the summer of 2020 George Floyd riots.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Simon, I agree that the pro Trump people do make some pretty bad oopsies at times. But not something so basic as bringing their guns to a revolution. Certainly not 99.9% of them forgetting. It is laughable to think that a group of rioters so aged and unhealthy that 3 actually DIED during the riot of medical conditions could overthrow the government of the United States. Nobody that I know is defending the violence. But in the face of such pearl-clutching from the Media Democratic Complex, one sometimes just has to laugh.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

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