“Biden Revs Up Reelection Engine: Speech on Jan. 6 Triggers Renewed Focus
As President-elect Joe Biden seeks to build a pathway for his reelection campaign, he has focused attention on the dark anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
In a speech in the evening of January 6, Biden revisited the dramatic events of the past year, reflecting on the efforts made to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Biden explained that his administration has put in place a plan to get the country back on its feet. In the wake of the anniversary of the violent attack on the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump, Biden called for a renewed focus on safeguarding the pillars of democracy and truth.
“It’s time for America to start healing,” Biden said. “It’s time to turn the page and bind the wounds, heal the divisions. We have to recommit to the fight for justice, for the truth, for decency, for our democracy.”
Biden also used the speech as an opportunity to draw a contrast to the former president’s administration, condemning the divisions that have been sown over the past few years. Referring to his predecessor’s rhetoric and actions, Biden pleaded for Americans “not to let the voices of fear and division, of anger and hate, of falsehood and conspiracy, drown out the voices of hope and unity, of decency and reason, of truth and justice.”
The speech ended with a hopeful plea for unity, emphasizing the urgent need to come together to work together and overcome the struggles of the past year. Additionally, Biden commented on the “appalling assault on truth” that has taken place over the past four years, in an effort to press forward with his plans to “restore truth and transparency” to the White House.
The speech was seen as a clear effort by the Biden campaign to regain momentum ahead of the 2022 election cycle and signal to opponents that it intends to take the campaign season seriously. In light of recent events, Biden’s comments will likely be seen as an appeal to the moderate voice in the nation, as Biden seeks to establish his worrying of democracy and justice as his platform for victory in the upcoming election.