State of the Union: Biden draws election battle lines in fiery speech

President Joe Biden delivered a fiery State of the Union address on Thursday, directing pointed remarks towards his predecessor, Donald Trump while highlighting the key themes of his upcoming re-election bid.

Throughout his speech, Biden referred to Trump as “my predecessor” on 13 occasions, spanning over an hour. He criticised Trump for his alleged deference to Russia and condemned his handling of the Capitol riot. 

In addition to addressing these issues, Biden touched upon a range of topics including immigration, abortion, the economy, and the situation in Gaza.

The atmosphere in the House chamber was lively, with Democrats cheering enthusiastically and some Republicans engaging in heckling. The event resembled more of a political rally than the traditional solemnity associated with the State of the Union address, typically characterised by ceremonial grandeur and policy focus.

However, given the impending election, Biden’s speech was characterised by a spirited and confrontational tone as he aimed to delineate the battlegrounds for his forthcoming campaign.