What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
September 16, 2024 Recap
President Biden addressed the press before his Marine One departure, responding to questions about the investigation into the assassination attempt against Former President Donald Trump on Sunday, September 14. He expressed relief that the targeted president was unharmed, stating, "Thank God the president is okay." Biden confirmed that a full report on the incident had been received and that he would travel to the affected area later that evening to assess the situation further.
The President highlighted the need for increased support for the Service, emphasizing that Congress should respond to their requirements. He suggested that the Service might need more personnel, though the specifics were still being determined. Biden noted that discussions are ongoing about whether additional personnel or other forms of assistance are necessary to bolster the Service's capabilities. When pressed for more details, he reiterated that decisions about the exact needs, including whether more personnel are required, are still being evaluated.
President Biden delivered remarks at the 2024 National HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia, PA, expressing his deep appreciation and commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). He began by sharing his personal connection to Delaware State University, which embraced him early in his political career and highlighted his continued support for HBCUs throughout his presidency. Biden praised the achievements of HBCUs, acknowledging their critical role in shaping future leaders and professionals across diverse fields, including engineering, teaching, healthcare, and law. He emphasized that HBCUs have long been engines of economic mobility and pivotal in raising the standard of living for many Americans, particularly within the Black community.
During his speech, Biden condemned the recent attempted assassination of a former president in Florida, commending the Secret Service for their quick and professional response. He reaffirmed his stance against political violence, emphasizing that America resolves its differences peacefully at the ballot box, not through violence. He called for an end to political violence, reminding the audience that America's history has suffered too many times from assassins' bullets, and urged the nation to work together to prevent such acts.
Biden highlighted his administration’s historic investments in HBCUs, totaling $17 billion—the most any administration has ever committed. He noted that these funds have been used to enhance campus infrastructure, provide financial aid, and develop new research labs and facilities, preparing Black students for future jobs in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, engineering, and biochemistry. Biden underscored the importance of education as a cornerstone of American leadership and the necessity of tapping into the full talents of the nation, including HBCU graduates, to ensure a prosperous future.
The President also spoke about his administration's broader efforts to support HBCUs, such as the CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to create innovation hubs at these institutions and develop a diverse workforce in semiconductor manufacturing. He celebrated the unique contributions of HBCUs, pointing out that despite representing only 3% of all U.S. colleges and universities, HBCUs produce a significant percentage of Black engineers, teachers, doctors, dentists, and judges, highlighting their critical role in the country’s academic and professional landscape.
Biden acknowledged the current challenges facing HBCUs and the broader Black community, including attacks on affirmative action, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as threats and hate crimes. He decried the recent rise in bomb threats against HBCUs and the spread of misinformation targeting marginalized communities, asserting that these actions are fundamentally un-American and must be stopped. Biden reiterated his belief in a country that offers opportunities for everyone, regardless of background, and praised HBCUs for being at the forefront of this fight for inclusivity and equality.
In closing, Biden reflected on the legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune, a pioneering educator and civil rights leader, quoting her call to pry open the gates of freedom fully. He encouraged the audience to continue pushing for progress, expressing hope that an HBCU graduate might become President of the United States one day. Biden concluded by reminding everyone of the strength found in unity, emphasizing that when Americans work together, there is nothing they cannot achieve. He thanked the HBCU community for their contributions to the nation and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to supporting and advancing the mission of these historic institutions.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan marked the three-year anniversary of AUKUS, highlighting the partnership between the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. that aims to promote a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region. He noted significant progress in Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, including Australian sailors training in the U.S. and U.K. and Australians embedded in U.S. shipyards. The partnership has also led to investments in defense industries, creating thousands of skilled jobs. Changes in export controls have enhanced defense trade, and the nations continue to develop advanced military capabilities together.
President Biden's proclamations on National Voter Registration Day, Constitution Day, and Citizenship Day, 2024 emphasize the importance of civic engagement and the protection of democratic values in the United States. In the National Voter Registration Day proclamation, Biden underscores voting as the cornerstone of American democracy and urges all eligible citizens to register to vote. He highlights the ongoing challenges to voting rights, including voter suppression and election subversion. He outlines federal initiatives to increase voter registration access for various groups, such as veterans, college students, and Indigenous peoples. The proclamation also calls on Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to further safeguard voting rights, reminding Americans of their responsibility to uphold the republic through active participation in the electoral process.
In the proclamation for Constitution Day, Citizenship Day, and Constitution Week, Biden reaffirms the U.S. Constitution's significance and citizenship duties. He emphasizes that America's democracy is built on the foundational principles of separation of powers and checks and balances. The proclamation calls for the continued protection of constitutional rights, including voting rights and reproductive freedoms, and celebrates the contributions of all native-born and naturalized citizens. It serves as a reminder of the need to preserve democratic values and encourages Americans to honor and uphold the Constitution. Together, these proclamations reflect a commitment to protecting democratic rights and ensuring the active participation of all citizens in the nation's governance.
The White House convened a roundtable with federal agencies, public health partners, and community leaders to address the escalating "clade I" Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other countries. The meeting, led by the National Security Council and the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, emphasized global mpox response and domestic preparedness as key priorities for the Biden-Harris Administration.
Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer and Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall highlighted the need for improved preparedness and collaboration with community organizations and international partners. They stressed the importance of early detection, information dissemination, and rapid deployment of countermeasures to keep Americans and the world safer.
The convening reaffirmed U.S. leadership in the global mpox response, focusing on enhancing domestic readiness and the ability to respond to potential clade I cases. Although there are no current Clade I cases in the U.S., officials are preparing to detect, contain, and manage future cases. Clade IIb Mpox, responsible for the 2022 outbreak, continues circulating at low levels globally.
President Biden Delivers Remarks at the 2024 National HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia, PA
