Biden calls on Americans to renew their commitment to democracy

2024-06-07 18:49:44, Kosova & Bota CNA

Biden calls on Americans to renew their commitment to democracy

President Joe Biden

President Joe Biden called on Americans to renew their commitment to protecting democracy during his speech on democracy in Normandy, France, on Friday.

Speaking on the rocky beach where American troops landed 80 years ago with allies to free Europe from Nazism, Mr. Biden compared the threat posed by Nazi Germany to the danger the world faces today due to dictators and authoritarianism.

Mr. Biden called on Americans to remember the heroism of American forces 80 years ago.

"As we gather here together, we must hear the echo of their calls. Their example shows us what we should do. They would like to stay true to the principles and values ??that America supports," Mr. Biden said.

He added that "American democracy requires us to do the hardest thing, to believe that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. So democracy starts with each of us," Mr. Biden said.

President Biden's speech in Normandy, the second in the last two days, was aimed at strengthening support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Mr. Biden said that American soldiers who fought at that time, would like Americans to defend freedom.

"Does anyone doubt that they would want America to stand up against Putin's aggression here in Europe today?" he asked.

President Biden never mentioned his expected Republican rival in the November 5 presidential election, Donald Trump, but criticized the former president's isolationist tendencies in his speech.

"The instinct may be to be selfish, to impose our will on others. To take power, never to back down," Mr. Biden said in comments that appeared to be directed at former President Trump.

With his speech at Normandy's Pointe du Hoc, Mr Biden echoed Republican predecessor Ronald Reagan, who marked the anniversary of the Allied landings there 40 years ago.

Former President Reagan said at the time that democracy was "worth dying for" and emphasized the United States' desire for peace during the final years of the Cold War.

Mr. Biden's intention in his speech was to draw a connection between World War II, the Cold War and the creation of the NATO military alliance as well as Russia's current war with Ukraine, the White House national security adviser said. , Jake Sullivan./ VOA