President Biden used his Wednesday night speech to issue stark warnings about election deniers running for office around the country, calling out the surge in political violence that has ensued since the 2020 election and underscoring that the fate of American democracy is now in the hands of voters.
Speaking just six days before the midterm elections, Biden began his remarks by discussing the recent violent attack against Paul Pelosi, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, which authorities say was politically motivated.
Biden directly connected the violence against Pelosi to the individuals who stormed the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
“My fellow Americans, we’re facing a defining moment, an inflection point. We must with one overwhelming, unified voice speak as a country and say there’s no place – no place – for voter intimidation or political violence in America, where it’s directed at Democrats or Republicans,” Biden declared.
The will of the voters during the midterm elections, which are already taking place with mail-in ballots and early voting, will determine “whether democracy will endure,” he said.
“Make no mistake, democracy is on the ballot for all of us,” Biden added.
The President specifically called out candidates who have declined to commit to accepting the results of the upcoming election.
“I wish the assault on our democracy ended that day, but I cannot. As I stand here today, there are candidates running for every level of office in America … who won’t commit to accepting the results of the election that they’re running in,” he said. “This is a path to chaos in America. It’s unprecedented. It’s unlawful. And it’s un-American.”
And Biden called on Americans to consider whether the votes they will cast will preserve democracy or put it at risk.
“This year, I hope you’ll make the future of our democracy an important part of your decision to vote and how you vote,” he said.
Biden added: “The fate of the nation, the fate of the soul of America lies where it always does, with the people. In your hands. In your heart. In your ballot.”
