After the attack on former President Trump, current President Biden addressed the nation on Sunday from the Oval Office in the White House. He called on Americans to “calm down” and remember that they are neighbors. He emphasized that the United States should “resolve differences through voting”.
During prime time, Biden delivered a speech of about 6 minutes. He said the shooting incident involving Trump showed that “we all need to step back” and expressed relief that Trump was not seriously injured in the incident.
“We cannot allow this kind of violence to become routine. Political discourse in this country has become very intense. It’s time to cool down now,” he said, “We all have a responsibility to do so.”
Biden stated that “we cannot, and must not, turn to” the path of political violence, emphasizing that even with different positions, people are not enemies but neighbors, friends, colleagues, and most importantly, “all Americans”.
“We must unite together,” Biden said.
He mentioned that American democracy is built on a foundation that allows reason and balance to triumph over violence.
“In American democracy, debates are sincere. In American democracy, the rule of law is respected. Integrity, dignity, and fair competition are not just outdated concepts, but a living reality,” he said.
This is the third time since Biden took office in 2021 that he officially commented on significant issues to the American people from the Oval Office.
He emphasized in his speech, “The power to change America should be in the hands of the American people, not attempted assassins.”
Biden said in his speech: “We debate, we differ, we compare and contrast… but in America, we resolve differences through the ballot box.”
“Politics cannot become a real battleground,” Biden said, “Tonight, I ask every American to make a commitment again.”
On Saturday, Trump was shot at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania around 6 p.m., with a bullet grazing his right ear and blood splattering on his face. Currently, investigators are looking into the past of a man named Thomas Matthew Crooks, who is the suspect in this attempted assassination.
The attack on Trump also prompted Biden’s team to rethink their campaign strategy. Within hours of the shooting, Biden’s campaign team pulled television ads, suspended other political propaganda, canceled verbal attacks on Trump, and instead focused on the future.
Biden pointed out that he has instructed relevant agencies to review all security measures and provide resources to ensure Trump’s safety.