Last Updated on September 22, 2022
President Joe Biden posted a video statement Thursday urging Americans to “fight back” against “extreme MAGA Republicans.” The Biden Administration has escalated the intensity of its rhetoric against former President Trump and his supporters in recent weeks. In the span of a week last month, Biden warned that the government could use military jets on American citizens before delivering a divisive speech targeting “extreme MAGA Republicans” in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
“I’m here at a Democratic rally, we’re making real progress here,” Biden said in the fundraising video. The President then touted his spending projects, including the “Inflation Reduction Act” and the “American Rescue Plan” in urging Americans to vote for Democrats in November.
“But the extreme MAGA Republicans want to take it all back. You know they’re talking about cutting social security, Medicare. Banning abortion access across the country,” Biden claimed. “We need to elect Democrats this November, and fight back and keep moving forward for the American people.”
“So join us. We need you. Please join us,” the president concluded.
Join us at https://t.co/V9MzpvQJcq to fight back against extreme MAGA Republicans. pic.twitter.com/iiQs2AzzuS
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 21, 2022
Biden has framed “extreme MAGA Republicans” as enemies as part of a bold shift in rhetoric following his FBI’s raid on former President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate.
“Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are a threat to the very soul of this country,” Biden wrote in a tweet dated September 1.
While addressing supporters at a rally in Scranton, Biden mocked the philosophy behind the Second Amendment and hinted that the military would use combat aircraft on American citizens if necessary.
“For those brave right-wing Americans who say it’s all about keeping Americans independent and safe, if you want to fight against a country you need an F-15,” Biden said. “You need something a little more than a gun.”
Just days later, the president delivered a dark and divisive speech in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. Flanked by U.S. Marines in front of a red backdrop, the president lashed out at former President Trump and his supporters for over 20 minutes.
“As I stand here tonight, equality and democracy are under assault,” Biden said. “We do ourselves no favor to pretend otherwise. So, tonight, I’ve come to this place where it all began, to speak as plainly as I can to the nation about the threats we face, about the power we have in our hands to meet these threats and about the incredible future that lies in front of us if only we choose it,” he continued.
“Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundation of our republic,” Biden went on to say. “They refuse to accept the results of a free election, and they’re working right now as I speak in state after state to give power to decide elections in America to partisans and cronies.”
Biden’s latest “extreme MAGA” statement was posted just a day after a North Dakota man confessed to hunting and killing a conservative teenager over his political beliefs. Shannon Brandt, 41, told police that he ran down 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson with his car following a “political argument.”
Brandt was soon released on bail after confessing to the crime. He faces charges of vehicular homicide.
Biden has been slammed for his increasingly hostile rhetoric following the Ellingson murder.
“Joe Biden said: ‘Political violence is never appropriate. Period. Never. Never. Never,’” wrote conservative activist Charles Downes in a tweet. “In that case, why hasn’t the Biden DOJ charged Shannon Brandt with a hate crime?”
“Biden voter, Shannon Brandt, 41, murdered 18 yr old Cayler Ellingson after Joe Biden told the nation that Republicans represent ‘an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.’ Joe Biden has blood on his hands!” wrote one Twitter user in response to one of the president’s tweets.
Joe Biden said: “Political violence is never appropriate. Period. Never. Never. Never.” In that case, why hasn’t the Biden DOJ charged Shannon Brandt with a hate crime?
— Charles R Downs (@TheCharlesDowns) September 20, 2022
This is the clearest statement yet that by “extreme MAGA Republicans,” Joe Biden means pretty much every Republican. One of whom was murdered with a car for his “extreme” beliefs. Stop this now before more blood is on your hands. https://t.co/4pu2RDYObt
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) September 22, 2022
https://twitter.com/ShawnQuinn83/status/1572587988504424450
The White House has yet to comment on the Ellingson murder.