What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
July 8, 2024 Recap
President Biden issued an open letter to House Democrats, reaffirming his commitment to running in the upcoming election and defeating Donald Trump. He emphasized his extensive conversations with party leaders, officials, and voters, acknowledging their concerns and expressing gratitude for their support. Biden highlighted his strong performance in the Democratic nomination process, receiving 87% of the votes and nearly 3,000 delegates, making him the presumptive nominee.
Biden stressed the importance of respecting the voters' choice and rejected the idea of dismissing the nomination process. He underscored his achievements as President, such as job creation, infrastructure development, healthcare expansion, and climate change investments. Biden contrasted his economic vision with that of Trump and the MAGA Republicans, emphasizing his commitment to working people, affordable healthcare, and protecting Social Security and Medicare.
He also focused on protecting American freedoms, criticizing Trump's stance on issues like abortion rights and the Affordable Care Act. Biden vowed to make Roe v. Wade the law again if re-elected and promised Supreme Court reform. He called for unity among Democrats, urging them to focus on defeating Trump in the upcoming election. He concluded with a call to come together as a unified party to ensure victory.
In a candid, unscripted phone interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," President Biden discussed his campaign and the Democratic Party's support for his nomination with hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. He emphasized his confidence in securing the Democratic nomination, citing the 14 million votes he received and widespread support from Democratic voters. Biden contrasted his active campaign efforts with former President Trump's passive approach, highlighting his recent travels and engagements with voters and union members. He dismissed concerns about his age and cognitive abilities, noting his accomplishments and daily neurological tests.
Biden addressed criticisms from prominent figures who suggested he should step aside, reiterating his commitment to running and his belief in his ability to defeat Trump. He also discussed the broader political landscape, expressing optimism about the decline of far-right nationalism in Europe, as seen in recent elections in France and Britain. Biden reaffirmed his dedication to rebuilding the economy for the middle class and maintaining strong international alliances, particularly through NATO.
In response to concerns about a previous poor debate performance, Biden acknowledged the incident but assured the public of his health and capability. He criticized Trump's dishonesty and inaction, asserting he is the best candidate to lead the country. The interview concluded with Biden reiterating his determination to continue his campaign and maintain his leadership position.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued a statement regarding the bilateral meeting of newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House. President Biden looks forward to his first meeting with the Prime Minister and will underscore the importance of strengthening the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. The leaders will have the opportunity to discuss in depth U.S.-UK cooperation across a range of issues, including support to Ukraine, advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific, reaching a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, ensuring that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon, and strengthening the coalition to confront Iranian-backed Houthi threats to commercial shipping. They will also discuss furthering bilateral cooperation in areas such as protecting advanced technologies and developing climate and clean energy solutions. President Biden looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Starmer to Washington, D.C., for NATO’s 75th anniversary and their bilateral meeting.
NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:
Byron B. Conway, of Wisconsin, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, vice William C. Griesbach, retired.
Jonathan E. Hawley, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of Illinois, vice James E. Shadid, retiring.
Ryan Young Park, of North Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, vice James A. Wynn, Jr., retiring.
Gail A. Weilheimer, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, vice Gene E. K. Pratter, deceased.
President Biden issued a statement condemning Russia's missile strikes in Ukraine, which resulted in civilian casualties and damage to Kyiv's largest children's hospital. He emphasized the need for global support for Ukraine and announced that he would meet with President Zelenskyy and NATO leaders in Washington, D.C., to demonstrate unwavering support. Biden also mentioned upcoming measures to enhance Ukraine's air defenses. The U.S. stands with the Ukrainian people.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and White House National Communications Advisor John Kirby held a press conference that began with positive economic news. They highlighted the creation of over 200,000 jobs in the past month, and a record 3 million travelers screened at airports, indicating strong economic activity. Additionally, 1 million barrels of gasoline were sold to lower gas prices, achieving the lowest 4th of July gas prices in three years. A report also highlighted significant job growth in previously struggling communities under President Biden's administration.
The President's recent schedule and achievements were discussed, including campaign rallies, discussions on the Supreme Court, emergency operations briefings, and communications with international leaders. Looking ahead, President Biden will speak to labor leaders, host the NATO Summit, travel to Michigan for a campaign event, and participate in events in Texas and Las Vegas.
The upcoming NATO Summit was a focal point, with President Biden set to host leaders from 38 countries for the 75th anniversary of NATO. Discussions will focus on strengthening the alliance, aiding Ukraine, and enhancing defense investments. The summit aims to send a clear message to Russia about the coalition's resilience and unwavering support for Ukraine. Kirby emphasized recent security packages authorized for Ukraine, which have significantly impacted the battlefield. Ukraine has successfully held off Russian advances, and further announcements on support for Ukraine are expected at the NATO Summit.
The briefing also covered the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, with continued efforts to achieve a ceasefire involving multiple parties. The U.S. stressed the importance of Israel protecting civilian lives amid the conflict. Additionally, questions about President Biden's health were addressed, confirming that he has seen a neurologist three times in connection with his annual physical exams. The administration emphasized comprehensive health evaluations and the privacy of medical personnel.
The briefing underscored the importance of maintaining transparency and clear communication about the President's health and activities. The administration highlighted its commitment to engaging directly with the American public and addressing concerns. Other topics included the potential impacts of recent elections in France, the role of specific medical specialists, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in various regions.
President Biden met this afternoon with Liat Beinin Atzili, an Israeli-American released through a hostage agreement brokered by Washington in late November. According to the White House, Atzili was accompanied by her family, and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also attended the meeting.
First Lady Jill Biden expressed strong support for President Joe Biden's bid for re-election despite some Democrats urging him to drop out after a poor debate performance against Donald Trump. Speaking in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jill Biden emphasized the President's commitment to the race and his support for the military. She contrasted her husband's dedication to veterans with Trump's self-centeredness. She cited Biden's military ties, including his late son Beau's service in Iraq, and criticized Trump's derogatory comments about service members.
Jill Biden announced the formation of Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris in Tampa, Florida, highlighting the President's focus on military support as a "sacred obligation." She argued that Trump cannot be trusted to uphold constitutional duties, referencing accusations of Trump calling fallen soldiers "suckers" and "losers," which he denies.
The First Lady's comments aimed to bolster Biden's campaign after the debate led to doubts about his ability to defeat Trump. She highlighted Biden's recent visit to a military cemetery in France, which Trump skipped in 2018. Trump's campaign did not respond to requests for comment. The debate saw Biden and Trump clash over their commitment to veterans, with Trump accusing Biden of prioritizing migrants over veterans.
Source: Florida Politics
President Biden and Liat Beinin Atzili meet in the Oval Office at The White House
