© Reuters. U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., March 7, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Authored by Trevor Hunnicutt, Jarrett Renshaw, and Nandita Bose
(Reuters) – During his final State of the Union speech before the upcoming U.S. election, President Joe Biden diverged from former President Donald Trump’s viewpoint, spotlighting Israel and addressing immigration challenges.
These are some key insights from Wednesday’s State of the Union address:
REBUKING ISRAEL
Biden delivered a firm message to Israeli leaders, urging them to prioritize humanitarian aid to Palestinians without any political motives.
“I urge the leadership of Israel not to delay humanitarian assistance to Palestinians for political reasons,” Biden emphasized. “Safeguarding and preserving innocent lives must be a primary concern. Looking ahead, the most viable resolution to this issue is a two-state plan.”
The President has been under mounting pressure from Democratic colleagues for his stance on Israel’s response to the recent hostilities by Palestinian Hamas militants.
“I have been tirelessly working to establish an immediate six-week ceasefire,” he stated, reiterating U.S. policy and confidently using the term “ceasefire,” which was previously avoided by his administration.
LAKEN RILEY AND IMMIGRATION
Provoked by Trump-aligned Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Biden departed from his prepared remarks to address the tragic case of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia, allegedly murdered by an undocumented immigrant who had been released on probation.
Republicans hold Biden responsible for the deaths of Americans killed by illegal immigrants, citing his administration’s border policies. Riley’s death has become a symbol of Democratic shortcomings according to the Republicans.
“This is about Laken Riley,” Greene interjected during the speech, interrupting Biden’s discussion on border issues. “Remember her name!”
Biden accepted the button handed to him by Greene as he approached the podium, and reiterated Riley’s name, describing her as an innocent victim killed by “an undocumented individual.” He went on to mention the thousands of deaths caused by legal U.S. residents before expressing his condolences to Riley’s family.
FAREWELL TO “BIDENOMICS”
The term “Bidenomics” was notably absent from the speech, which previously served as the White House’s slogan for Biden’s economic agenda during a nationwide tour last year.
Democratic candidates in congressional races have steered clear of the phrase, with senior Democrats advising the administration to discard the overarching slogan and instead focus on specific measures such as prescription drug price limits, job growth data, and unemployment rates.
It appears Biden has heeded this counsel.
BIDEN’S JEST FOR REPUBLICANS
Biden injected humor into the speech by taking a playful swipe at his Republican adversaries.
He reacted with mock surprise to Greene wearing a Trump campaign hat in the House chamber before turning away.