Staff Reports
In a moment drenched with irony, President Joe Biden called for the nation to “lower the temperature in politics” after a chilling attempt on the life of former President Donald Trump this past Saturday. This plea came during a rare Oval Office address, making it Biden’s third since taking office—a number that reflects more on politicking than genuine leadership.
Biden’s brief, unscripted comments on Saturday and Sunday supposedly followed high-level briefings about the assassination attempt, painting a somber picture of the current political climate. It’s worth noting, however, that the current administration’s own rhetoric has long fanned these flames of division.
Following the attempt, the President reportedly had a “short but good” phone call with Trump, which one might suspect was more about optics than genuine concern. The bulk of Biden’s Sunday night speech was aimed at urging voters from both sides to reject political violence, almost as if stating the obvious could undo the damage that’s already been done.
What a joke.
Biden calls for lowering of ‘temperature’ in politics during Oval Office address – Washington Examiner https://t.co/aZZOmzdP75
— Cassis (@cassisnouveau) July 15, 2024
With phrases like “we cannot, we must not go down this road in America” and invoking historical moments of violence, Biden delivered a sermon on peace and unity, all while ignoring the elephant in the room—his administration’s contribution to this toxic environment. His seemingly heartfelt declarations fall flat in light of the constant polarizing narrative pushed by his own party.
The President also confirmed that he had instructed the Secret Service to green-light any additional resources for Trump’s security detail, an almost obligatory move given the severity of the situation. Furthermore, Biden promised heightened security for the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, as if merely throwing a bone to the GOP would somehow bridge the gorge of mistrust between the two sides.
In an interesting turn, Biden took a moment to acknowledge Corey Comperatore, the tragic hero who shielded his family from the suspected gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, during Trump’s rally. This nod to the human cost of political violence may be one of the few genuine notes in his address.
So, as Biden embarks on a new week of campaigning, preparing for the inevitable criticisms of his record at the RNC, he calls for action at the ballot box instead of violence in the streets. Perhaps it’s time for the Commander-in-Chief to look inward and address how his own leadership—or lack thereof—has contributed to the country’s current vitriol.
