Aiming to reframe the November election as part of a battle for the nation’s soul — “the work of my presidency,” Biden used his first speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to argue that Trump and allies “Make the America Great Again’ is a challenge to the nation’s system of government, its standing abroad and the way of life of its citizens.

		Read more: Biden says he is ‘determined’ to revive US assault weapons ban 		
		read more 		


			Biden says he is “determined” to revive the US assault weapons ban

“Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic,” Biden said. He said they are “determined to bring this country back”, “promoting authoritarian leaders and fanning the flames of political violence”. Story continues below ad Biden’s explicit attempt to marginalize Trump and his supporters marks a sharp turnaround for the president, who proclaimed his desire to bring about national unity in his inaugural address. White House officials said it reflected growing concern over Trump allies’ ideological propositions and relentless denial of the nation’s 2020 election results. “MAGA forces are determined to take this country back,” Biden says, according to prepared remarks released by the White House. “Back to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry the one you love.” “For too long, we have assured ourselves that American democracy is guaranteed. But it’s not,” says Biden. “We have to defend it. Protect it. Support it. Each of us.” 1:02 Biden Forgives $10,000 in Student Loans for Millions of Americans Biden Forgives $10,000 in Student Loans for Millions of Americans – August 24, 2022 Biden, who largely avoided even referring to the “former guy” by name during his first year in office, has become increasingly vocal in calling out Trump personally. Now, emboldened by his party’s recent legislative victories and wary of Trump’s return to the headlines, Biden is stepping up his attacks. Story continues below ad Trump is planning a rally this weekend in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden’s hometown. At a Democratic fundraiser last week, Biden likened the “MAGA philosophy” to “semi-fascism.” In Philadelphia, White House officials said, Biden intended to return to the 2017 white supremacist protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, which he says led him out of political retirement to challenge Trump. Biden argues that the country faces a similar crossroads in the coming months. Biden’s allies stress that he is not rejecting the entire Democratic Party and are calling on traditional Republicans to join him in condemning Trump and his supporters. It’s a balancing act, given that more than 74 million people voted for Trump in 2020.

		Read more: US to move COVID-19 vaccines and treatments to private market by 2023 as supply runs out

“I respect conservative Republicans,” Biden said last week. “I have no respect for these MAGA Republicans.” Delivering a preemptive rebuttal from Scranton on Thursday night, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy accused Biden of trying to divide Americans and blasted the Democratic record in Washington, pointing to rising inflation, crime and unemployment. government spending. Trending Stories

			Vegan mum jailed for life after son dies of malnutrition 	   				‘Elon Musk, please help us’: Tesla owners go on hunger strike over quality issues

“Over the past two years, Joe Biden has launched an assault on the soul of America, on its people, on its laws, on its most sacred values,” he said. “He has launched an attack on our democracy. His policies have seriously wounded America’s soul, diminished America’s spirit, and betrayed America’s trust.” Story continues below ad Asked about McCarthy’s criticism, White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said “we understand we hit a nerve” with the Republican leader and cited previous statements by the Republican that Trump was responsible for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. at the US Capitol. . Larry Diamond, a democracy expert and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, said Trump’s call for attacks on democracy “can be manipulated or labeled as partisan. And if you don’t call it out, you’re walking away from an important challenge to the defense of democracy.” Even this week, Trump was posting on his beleaguered social media platform about overturning the 2020 election results and holding a new presidential election, which would violate the Constitution. Timothy Naftali, a historian of the presidency at New York University, said it’s not unusual for there to be tension between a president and his successor, but “it’s unprecedented for a former president to actively try to undermine the U.S. Constitution.” 1:48 Trump FBI probe: Judge to appoint ‘special master’ to review documents seized in raid Trump FBI probe: Judge to appoint ‘special master’ to review documents seized in raid “The challenge facing President Biden is to continue with his agenda while still doing what is necessary to uphold the Constitution,” Naftali said. “It’s not easy”. Story continues below ad The White House has sought to keep Biden out of the legal and political maelstrom surrounding the Justice Department’s discovery of classified documents at Trump’s Florida home. But Biden took advantage of some Republicans’ quick condemnation of federal law enforcement. “You can’t be pro-law enforcement and pro-insurgency,” Biden said Tuesday in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Biden’s appearance Thursday night was promoted as a taxpayer-funded official event, a sign of how the president views defeating Trump’s agenda as much a policy goal as a political one. The major television networks were not expected to broadcast the address live. Biden’s trip to Philadelphia is just one of three in the state in a week, a sign of Pennsylvania’s importance in the midterms, with competitive Senate and governor races. However, neither Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, the Democratic Senate candidate, nor Attorney General Josh Shapiro, their pick for governor, were expected to attend Thursday night. 2:23 USA Justice Department claims evidence of ‘hidden’ documents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home. The White House intended the speech to bring together familiar themes: the bipartisan gun and infrastructure legislative victory as proof that democracies “can succeed,” pushing GOP policies on guns and abortion that Biden says are out of step; with most people’s opinions. and rejecting efforts to undermine confidence in the nation’s elections or diminish its standing abroad. Story continues below ad The challenges have only increased following the turmoil surrounding the 2020 election and the attack on Capitol Hill. The lies surrounding this presidential race have prompted harassment and death threats against state and local election officials and new restrictions on mail-in voting in Republican-dominated states. County election officials have faced pressure to ban the use of voting equipment, efforts fueled by conspiracy theories that voting machines were somehow manipulated to steal the election. Candidates challenging Trump’s loss have been inspired to run for state and local election seats, promising to restore integrity to a system undermined by false claims.

		Read more: US announces nearly $3 billion in new military aid package for Ukraine

There is no evidence of widespread fraud or manipulation of voting machines. Judges, including those appointed by Trump, have dismissed dozens of lawsuits filed after the election, and Trump’s own attorney general has called the claims bogus. But an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that about two-thirds of Republicans say they don’t believe Biden was legitimately elected president. This year, election officials face not only the ongoing threat of foreign interference, but also ransomware, politically motivated hackers and insider threats. In the past year, security breaches have been reported at a small number of local election offices in which authorities are investigating whether office staff improperly accessed or provided improper access to sensitive voting technology. Story continues below ad

Associated Press writer Zeke Miller reported from Washington. Chris Megerian in Washington and Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta contributed. © 2022 The Canadian Press

title: “Biden S Prime Time Speech Trump Allies Threats To Democracy National Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-24” author: “Helen Rice”

Aiming to reframe the November election as part of a battle for the nation’s soul — “the work of my presidency,” Biden used his first speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to argue that Trump and allies “Make the America Great Again’ is a challenge to the nation’s system of government, its standing abroad and the way of life of its citizens.

		Read more: Biden says he is ‘determined’ to revive US assault weapons ban 		
		read more 		


			Biden says he is “determined” to revive the US assault weapons ban

“Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic,” Biden said. He said they are “determined to bring this country back”, “promoting authoritarian leaders and fanning the flames of political violence”. Story continues below ad Biden’s explicit attempt to marginalize Trump and his supporters marks a sharp turnaround for the president, who proclaimed his desire to bring about national unity in his inaugural address. White House officials said it reflected growing concern over Trump allies’ ideological propositions and relentless denial of the nation’s 2020 election results. “MAGA forces are determined to take this country back,” Biden says, according to prepared remarks released by the White House. “Back to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry the one you love.” “For too long, we have assured ourselves that American democracy is guaranteed. But it’s not,” says Biden. “We have to defend it. Protect it. Support it. Each of us.” 1:02 Biden Forgives $10,000 in Student Loans for Millions of Americans Biden Forgives $10,000 in Student Loans for Millions of Americans – August 24, 2022 Biden, who largely avoided even referring to the “former guy” by name during his first year in office, has become increasingly vocal in calling out Trump personally. Now, emboldened by his party’s recent legislative victories and wary of Trump’s return to the headlines, Biden is stepping up his attacks. Story continues below ad Trump is planning a rally this weekend in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden’s hometown. At a Democratic fundraiser last week, Biden likened the “MAGA philosophy” to “semi-fascism.” In Philadelphia, White House officials said, Biden intended to return to the 2017 white supremacist protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, which he says led him out of political retirement to challenge Trump. Biden argues that the country faces a similar crossroads in the coming months. Biden’s allies stress that he is not rejecting the entire Democratic Party and are calling on traditional Republicans to join him in condemning Trump and his supporters. It’s a balancing act, given that more than 74 million people voted for Trump in 2020.

		Read more: US to move COVID-19 vaccines and treatments to private market by 2023 as supply runs out

“I respect conservative Republicans,” Biden said last week. “I have no respect for these MAGA Republicans.” Delivering a preemptive rebuttal from Scranton on Thursday night, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy accused Biden of trying to divide Americans and blasted the Democratic record in Washington, pointing to rising inflation, crime and unemployment. government spending. Trending Stories

			Vegan mum jailed for life after son dies of malnutrition 	   				‘Elon Musk, please help us’: Tesla owners go on hunger strike over quality issues

“Over the past two years, Joe Biden has launched an assault on the soul of America, on its people, on its laws, on its most sacred values,” he said. “He has launched an attack on our democracy. His policies have seriously wounded America’s soul, diminished America’s spirit, and betrayed America’s trust.” Story continues below ad Asked about McCarthy’s criticism, White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said “we understand we hit a nerve” with the Republican leader and cited previous statements by the Republican that Trump was responsible for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. at the US Capitol. . Larry Diamond, a democracy expert and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, said Trump’s call for attacks on democracy “can be manipulated or labeled as partisan. And if you don’t call it out, you’re walking away from an important challenge to the defense of democracy.” Even this week, Trump was posting on his beleaguered social media platform about overturning the 2020 election results and holding a new presidential election, which would violate the Constitution. Timothy Naftali, a historian of the presidency at New York University, said it’s not unusual for there to be tension between a president and his successor, but “it’s unprecedented for a former president to actively try to undermine the U.S. Constitution.” 1:48 Trump FBI probe: Judge to appoint ‘special master’ to review documents seized in raid Trump FBI probe: Judge to appoint ‘special master’ to review documents seized in raid “The challenge facing President Biden is to continue with his agenda while still doing what is necessary to uphold the Constitution,” Naftali said. “It’s not easy”. Story continues below ad The White House has sought to keep Biden out of the legal and political maelstrom surrounding the Justice Department’s discovery of classified documents at Trump’s Florida home. But Biden took advantage of some Republicans’ quick condemnation of federal law enforcement. “You can’t be pro-law enforcement and pro-insurgency,” Biden said Tuesday in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Biden’s appearance Thursday night was promoted as a taxpayer-funded official event, a sign of how the president views defeating Trump’s agenda as much a policy goal as a political one. The major television networks were not expected to broadcast the address live. Biden’s trip to Philadelphia is just one of three in the state in a week, a sign of Pennsylvania’s importance in the midterms, with competitive Senate and governor races. However, neither Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, the Democratic Senate candidate, nor Attorney General Josh Shapiro, their pick for governor, were expected to attend Thursday night. 2:23 USA Justice Department claims evidence of ‘hidden’ documents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home. The White House intended the speech to bring together familiar themes: the bipartisan gun and infrastructure legislative victory as proof that democracies “can succeed,” pushing GOP policies on guns and abortion that Biden says are out of step; with most people’s opinions. and rejecting efforts to undermine confidence in the nation’s elections or diminish its standing abroad. Story continues below ad The challenges have only increased following the turmoil surrounding the 2020 election and the attack on Capitol Hill. The lies surrounding this presidential race have prompted harassment and death threats against state and local election officials and new restrictions on mail-in voting in Republican-dominated states. County election officials have faced pressure to ban the use of voting equipment, efforts fueled by conspiracy theories that voting machines were somehow manipulated to steal the election. Candidates challenging Trump’s loss have been inspired to run for state and local election seats, promising to restore integrity to a system undermined by false claims.

		Read more: US announces nearly $3 billion in new military aid package for Ukraine

There is no evidence of widespread fraud or manipulation of voting machines. Judges, including those appointed by Trump, have dismissed dozens of lawsuits filed after the election, and Trump’s own attorney general has called the claims bogus. But an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that about two-thirds of Republicans say they don’t believe Biden was legitimately elected president. This year, election officials face not only the ongoing threat of foreign interference, but also ransomware, politically motivated hackers and insider threats. In the past year, security breaches have been reported at a small number of local election offices in which authorities are investigating whether office staff improperly accessed or provided improper access to sensitive voting technology. Story continues below ad

Associated Press writer Zeke Miller reported from Washington. Chris Megerian in Washington and Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta contributed. © 2022 The Canadian Press

title: “Biden S Prime Time Speech Trump Allies Threats To Democracy National Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-17” author: “Walter Beebe”

Aiming to reframe the November election as part of a battle for the nation’s soul — “the work of my presidency,” Biden used his first speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to argue that Trump and allies “Make the America Great Again’ is a challenge to the nation’s system of government, its standing abroad and the way of life of its citizens.

		Read more: Biden says he is ‘determined’ to revive US assault weapons ban 		
		read more 		


			Biden says he is “determined” to revive the US assault weapons ban

“Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic,” Biden said. He said they are “determined to bring this country back”, “promoting authoritarian leaders and fanning the flames of political violence”. Story continues below ad Biden’s explicit attempt to marginalize Trump and his supporters marks a sharp turnaround for the president, who proclaimed his desire to bring about national unity in his inaugural address. White House officials said it reflected growing concern over Trump allies’ ideological propositions and relentless denial of the nation’s 2020 election results. “MAGA forces are determined to take this country back,” Biden says, according to prepared remarks released by the White House. “Back to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry the one you love.” “For too long, we have assured ourselves that American democracy is guaranteed. But it’s not,” says Biden. “We have to defend it. Protect it. Support it. Each of us.” 1:02 Biden Forgives $10,000 in Student Loans for Millions of Americans Biden Forgives $10,000 in Student Loans for Millions of Americans – August 24, 2022 Biden, who largely avoided even referring to the “former guy” by name during his first year in office, has become increasingly vocal in calling out Trump personally. Now, emboldened by his party’s recent legislative victories and wary of Trump’s return to the headlines, Biden is stepping up his attacks. Story continues below ad Trump is planning a rally this weekend in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden’s hometown. At a Democratic fundraiser last week, Biden likened the “MAGA philosophy” to “semi-fascism.” In Philadelphia, White House officials said, Biden intended to return to the 2017 white supremacist protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, which he says led him out of political retirement to challenge Trump. Biden argues that the country faces a similar crossroads in the coming months. Biden’s allies stress that he is not rejecting the entire Democratic Party and are calling on traditional Republicans to join him in condemning Trump and his supporters. It’s a balancing act, given that more than 74 million people voted for Trump in 2020.

		Read more: US to move COVID-19 vaccines and treatments to private market by 2023 as supply runs out

“I respect conservative Republicans,” Biden said last week. “I have no respect for these MAGA Republicans.” Delivering a preemptive rebuttal from Scranton on Thursday night, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy accused Biden of trying to divide Americans and blasted the Democratic record in Washington, pointing to rising inflation, crime and unemployment. government spending. Trending Stories

			Vegan mum jailed for life after son dies of malnutrition 	   				‘Elon Musk, please help us’: Tesla owners go on hunger strike over quality issues

“Over the past two years, Joe Biden has launched an assault on the soul of America, on its people, on its laws, on its most sacred values,” he said. “He has launched an attack on our democracy. His policies have seriously wounded America’s soul, diminished America’s spirit, and betrayed America’s trust.” Story continues below ad Asked about McCarthy’s criticism, White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said “we understand we hit a nerve” with the Republican leader and cited previous statements by the Republican that Trump was responsible for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. at the US Capitol. . Larry Diamond, a democracy expert and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, said Trump’s call for attacks on democracy “can be manipulated or labeled as partisan. And if you don’t call it out, you’re walking away from an important challenge to the defense of democracy.” Even this week, Trump was posting on his beleaguered social media platform about overturning the 2020 election results and holding a new presidential election, which would violate the Constitution. Timothy Naftali, a historian of the presidency at New York University, said it’s not unusual for there to be tension between a president and his successor, but “it’s unprecedented for a former president to actively try to undermine the U.S. Constitution.” 1:48 Trump FBI probe: Judge to appoint ‘special master’ to review documents seized in raid Trump FBI probe: Judge to appoint ‘special master’ to review documents seized in raid “The challenge facing President Biden is to continue with his agenda while still doing what is necessary to uphold the Constitution,” Naftali said. “It’s not easy”. Story continues below ad The White House has sought to keep Biden out of the legal and political maelstrom surrounding the Justice Department’s discovery of classified documents at Trump’s Florida home. But Biden took advantage of some Republicans’ quick condemnation of federal law enforcement. “You can’t be pro-law enforcement and pro-insurgency,” Biden said Tuesday in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Biden’s appearance Thursday night was promoted as a taxpayer-funded official event, a sign of how the president views defeating Trump’s agenda as much a policy goal as a political one. The major television networks were not expected to broadcast the address live. Biden’s trip to Philadelphia is just one of three in the state in a week, a sign of Pennsylvania’s importance in the midterms, with competitive Senate and governor races. However, neither Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, the Democratic Senate candidate, nor Attorney General Josh Shapiro, their pick for governor, were expected to attend Thursday night. 2:23 USA Justice Department claims evidence of ‘hidden’ documents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home. The White House intended the speech to bring together familiar themes: the bipartisan gun and infrastructure legislative victory as proof that democracies “can succeed,” pushing GOP policies on guns and abortion that Biden says are out of step; with most people’s opinions. and rejecting efforts to undermine confidence in the nation’s elections or diminish its standing abroad. Story continues below ad The challenges have only increased following the turmoil surrounding the 2020 election and the attack on Capitol Hill. The lies surrounding this presidential race have prompted harassment and death threats against state and local election officials and new restrictions on mail-in voting in Republican-dominated states. County election officials have faced pressure to ban the use of voting equipment, efforts fueled by conspiracy theories that voting machines were somehow manipulated to steal the election. Candidates challenging Trump’s loss have been inspired to run for state and local election seats, promising to restore integrity to a system undermined by false claims.

		Read more: US announces nearly $3 billion in new military aid package for Ukraine

There is no evidence of widespread fraud or manipulation of voting machines. Judges, including those appointed by Trump, have dismissed dozens of lawsuits filed after the election, and Trump’s own attorney general has called the claims bogus. But an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that about two-thirds of Republicans say they don’t believe Biden was legitimately elected president. This year, election officials face not only the ongoing threat of foreign interference, but also ransomware, politically motivated hackers and insider threats. In the past year, security breaches have been reported at a small number of local election offices in which authorities are investigating whether office staff improperly accessed or provided improper access to sensitive voting technology. Story continues below ad

Associated Press writer Zeke Miller reported from Washington. Chris Megerian in Washington and Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta contributed. © 2022 The Canadian Press

title: “Biden S Prime Time Speech Trump Allies Threats To Democracy National Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-28” author: “Kelly Mcintosh”

Aiming to reframe the November election as part of a battle for the nation’s soul — “the work of my presidency,” Biden used his first speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to argue that Trump and allies “Make the America Great Again’ is a challenge to the nation’s system of government, its standing abroad and the way of life of its citizens.

		Read more: Biden says he is ‘determined’ to revive US assault weapons ban 		
		read more 		


			Biden says he is “determined” to revive the US assault weapons ban

“Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic,” Biden said. He said they are “determined to bring this country back”, “promoting authoritarian leaders and fanning the flames of political violence”. Story continues below ad Biden’s explicit attempt to marginalize Trump and his supporters marks a sharp turnaround for the president, who proclaimed his desire to bring about national unity in his inaugural address. White House officials said it reflected growing concern over Trump allies’ ideological propositions and relentless denial of the nation’s 2020 election results. “MAGA forces are determined to take this country back,” Biden says, according to prepared remarks released by the White House. “Back to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry the one you love.” “For too long, we have assured ourselves that American democracy is guaranteed. But it’s not,” says Biden. “We have to defend it. Protect it. Support it. Each of us.” 1:02 Biden Forgives $10,000 in Student Loans for Millions of Americans Biden Forgives $10,000 in Student Loans for Millions of Americans – August 24, 2022 Biden, who largely avoided even referring to the “former guy” by name during his first year in office, has become increasingly vocal in calling out Trump personally. Now, emboldened by his party’s recent legislative victories and wary of Trump’s return to the headlines, Biden is stepping up his attacks. Story continues below ad Trump is planning a rally this weekend in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden’s hometown. At a Democratic fundraiser last week, Biden likened the “MAGA philosophy” to “semi-fascism.” In Philadelphia, White House officials said, Biden intended to return to the 2017 white supremacist protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, which he says led him out of political retirement to challenge Trump. Biden argues that the country faces a similar crossroads in the coming months. Biden’s allies stress that he is not rejecting the entire Democratic Party and are calling on traditional Republicans to join him in condemning Trump and his supporters. It’s a balancing act, given that more than 74 million people voted for Trump in 2020.

		Read more: US to move COVID-19 vaccines and treatments to private market by 2023 as supply runs out

“I respect conservative Republicans,” Biden said last week. “I have no respect for these MAGA Republicans.” Delivering a preemptive rebuttal from Scranton on Thursday night, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy accused Biden of trying to divide Americans and blasted the Democratic record in Washington, pointing to rising inflation, crime and unemployment. government spending. Trending Stories

			Vegan mum jailed for life after son dies of malnutrition 	   				‘Elon Musk, please help us’: Tesla owners go on hunger strike over quality issues

“Over the past two years, Joe Biden has launched an assault on the soul of America, on its people, on its laws, on its most sacred values,” he said. “He has launched an attack on our democracy. His policies have seriously wounded America’s soul, diminished America’s spirit, and betrayed America’s trust.” Story continues below ad Asked about McCarthy’s criticism, White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said “we understand we hit a nerve” with the Republican leader and cited previous statements by the Republican that Trump was responsible for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. at the US Capitol. . Larry Diamond, a democracy expert and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, said Trump’s call for attacks on democracy “can be manipulated or labeled as partisan. And if you don’t call it out, you’re walking away from an important challenge to the defense of democracy.” Even this week, Trump was posting on his beleaguered social media platform about overturning the 2020 election results and holding a new presidential election, which would violate the Constitution. Timothy Naftali, a historian of the presidency at New York University, said it’s not unusual for there to be tension between a president and his successor, but “it’s unprecedented for a former president to actively try to undermine the U.S. Constitution.” 1:48 Trump FBI probe: Judge to appoint ‘special master’ to review documents seized in raid Trump FBI probe: Judge to appoint ‘special master’ to review documents seized in raid “The challenge facing President Biden is to continue with his agenda while still doing what is necessary to uphold the Constitution,” Naftali said. “It’s not easy”. Story continues below ad The White House has sought to keep Biden out of the legal and political maelstrom surrounding the Justice Department’s discovery of classified documents at Trump’s Florida home. But Biden took advantage of some Republicans’ quick condemnation of federal law enforcement. “You can’t be pro-law enforcement and pro-insurgency,” Biden said Tuesday in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Biden’s appearance Thursday night was promoted as a taxpayer-funded official event, a sign of how the president views defeating Trump’s agenda as much a policy goal as a political one. The major television networks were not expected to broadcast the address live. Biden’s trip to Philadelphia is just one of three in the state in a week, a sign of Pennsylvania’s importance in the midterms, with competitive Senate and governor races. However, neither Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, the Democratic Senate candidate, nor Attorney General Josh Shapiro, their pick for governor, were expected to attend Thursday night. 2:23 USA Justice Department claims evidence of ‘hidden’ documents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home. The White House intended the speech to bring together familiar themes: the bipartisan gun and infrastructure legislative victory as proof that democracies “can succeed,” pushing GOP policies on guns and abortion that Biden says are out of step; with most people’s opinions. and rejecting efforts to undermine confidence in the nation’s elections or diminish its standing abroad. Story continues below ad The challenges have only increased following the turmoil surrounding the 2020 election and the attack on Capitol Hill. The lies surrounding this presidential race have prompted harassment and death threats against state and local election officials and new restrictions on mail-in voting in Republican-dominated states. County election officials have faced pressure to ban the use of voting equipment, efforts fueled by conspiracy theories that voting machines were somehow manipulated to steal the election. Candidates challenging Trump’s loss have been inspired to run for state and local election seats, promising to restore integrity to a system undermined by false claims.

		Read more: US announces nearly $3 billion in new military aid package for Ukraine

There is no evidence of widespread fraud or manipulation of voting machines. Judges, including those appointed by Trump, have dismissed dozens of lawsuits filed after the election, and Trump’s own attorney general has called the claims bogus. But an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that about two-thirds of Republicans say they don’t believe Biden was legitimately elected president. This year, election officials face not only the ongoing threat of foreign interference, but also ransomware, politically motivated hackers and insider threats. In the past year, security breaches have been reported at a small number of local election offices in which authorities are investigating whether office staff improperly accessed or provided improper access to sensitive voting technology. Story continues below ad

Associated Press writer Zeke Miller reported from Washington. Chris Megerian in Washington and Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta contributed. © 2022 The Canadian Press