What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
Weekend Recap: August 17-18, 2024
The Joint Leaders' Statement on the Anniversary of the Trilateral Leaders' Summit at Camp David highlights the progress made in cooperation between Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the United States (U.S.) since their historic summit. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to advance security and prosperity in the region and globally. They emphasize their dedication to consulting on regional challenges, enhancing security cooperation, aligning economic and technological priorities, coordinating global health, and strengthening people-to-people ties.
Key accomplishments include the inaugural trilateral multi-domain exercise "Freedom Edge," the signing of a new Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework, and progress in countering North Korea's illicit activities. The statement concludes with a strong commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and an unwavering belief in the importance of their cooperation for future prosperity.
President Biden declared a state of emergency in the U.S. Virgin Islands due to the effects of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which began on August 13, 2024. This declaration authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the storm. FEMA is empowered to provide necessary equipment and resources, with 75% of the costs covered by Federal funding. The declaration applies to the islands of St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas, and Water Island, focusing on emergency protective measures to save lives, protect property, and ensure public health and safety.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz launched their bus tour with a rally in Pennsylvania, underscoring the crucial role that grassroots efforts will play in the upcoming election. Governor Walz introduced Harris with a heartfelt endorsement, emphasizing her extensive experience as a prosecutor, attorney general, U.S. Senator, and Vice President. He expressed his belief that she would make an exceptional President. Walz praised the energy and optimism Harris brings to the campaign, highlighting how she inspires Americans to engage with joy and decency and encourages them to focus on building a better future rather than dwelling on the past.
Walz also reflected on a time when political discussions were less divisive, emphasizing the shared values of democracy, personal freedom, and public education that once united people across political lines. He urged supporters to leave everything on the field in the final days of the campaign, drawing on his experience as a football coach to stress the importance of preparation and commitment. Walz concluded by expressing his confidence that the campaign’s efforts would be remembered as a pivotal moment in American history, where people came together to make a significant impact.
Vice President Harris took the stage to build on Walz's message, focusing on the core values that drive their campaign. She praised the volunteers for their dedication and described the campaign as being born out of a deep love for the country. Harris articulated the importance of fighting for the rights and freedoms that define American democracy, such as the right to make personal decisions about one’s body, the freedom to love who you choose, and the need to end child poverty. She emphasized that true leadership is about lifting people up rather than beating them down, framing this as the central measure of a leader’s strength.
Harris also spoke to the fragility of democracy, reminding the audience that it is only as strong as the collective willingness to fight for it. She criticized the trend of equating strength with the ability to dominate others, labeling such behavior as cowardly. Instead, she championed a vision of leadership that builds and reinforces community, highlighting the interconnectedness of all people and the common values that unite them. Harris concluded by rallying the volunteers, encouraging them to continue their work over the next 79 days to ensure victory, not just at the polls but in the ongoing effort to strengthen and unite the country.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, his wife, First Lady of Minnesota Gwen Walz, and Vice President Harris speaking to supporters as they kick off their bus tour to the DNC outside of Pittsburgh, PA
