Below is my column in the New York Post on the controversial speech of President Joe Biden in Philadelphia. The speech has received sharply different reviews from “disgusting” and “hateful” to a historic declaration of war against the enemies of the state. Some like MSNBC regular (and writer for The Nation and Above the Law) Elie Mystal insisted that the speech did not go far enough because all Republicans are white supremacists, not just MAGA Republicans. I thought the speech was divisive and inflammatory. However, it was not the content but the optics of the speech that was particularly unsettling. Framing Biden were two Marines standing like nutcracker props in a highly political speech. His use of the Marines (and the Marine band) violated long-standing rules for shielding the services from such political events.
Here is the column:
President Joe Biden’s speech in Philadelphia has produced sharply different responses from the media. On CNN, it was praised as a rallying cry for patriots. On conservatives sites, it was denounced as hateful and divisive. For many of us, however, the optics was a glaring distraction with the intense red background and prominently placed Marines framing the President. The use of the Marines and the Marine band raised concerns given the clearly political purpose of the speech. Indeed, the networks did not view the speech as an address to the nation and refused to give the White House primetime slots.
While White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured the media that “it’s not a political speech,” it was unabashedly political from calls to get the vote out to direct attacks on “MAGA Republicans” and Donald Trump. That again raised the legal questions over the use of the Marines in such a speech. Even CNN flagged the concern over the use of the Marines and CNN chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins stated the obvious that “it was a very political speech.”
The optics of the speech instantly became a source of Internet chatter with the weird red background that made the President look like he was giving a stump speech from Dante’s Inferno. Indeed, it almost had that High Chancellor Adam Sutler look from V for Vendetta. (The comparison ultimately did not end with just the optics. Sutler warned his inner circle that “every day…brings us closer to November” and “I want this country to realize that we stand on the edge of oblivion. I want every man, woman and child to understand how close we are to chaos…to remember why they need us!”).
However, it was the use of the Marine guards that most stood out — framing the President as he declared Trump supporters to be a threat to democracy . Biden denounced “MAGA Republicans” thirteen times as well as repeated references to his past and possible future political opponent, Donald Trump.
The speech was obviously political, as noted by CNN’s Collins, as a “full frontal attack” on his political opponents.
The United States has long drawn a line between the work of federal employees in public service and the use of such employees for political purposes. The Hatch Act was passed in 1939 to curtail the political activities of civilian federal employees.
The Marine Corps expressly forbids personnel from being used or participating in such political events.
“Active duty members will not engage in partisan political activities, and all military personnel will avoid the inference that their political activities imply or appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause.”
The other services have also drawn a bright line against such appearances. Army officials, for example, stress that their rules bar such involvement because “actual or perceived partisanship could undermine the legitimacy of the military profession and department.”
In Department of Defense Directive 1344.10 the long list of prohibited involvement in political events include:
“Attend partisan political events as an official representative of the Armed Forces, except as a member of a joint Armed Forces color guard at the opening ceremonies of the national conventions of the Republican, Democratic, or other political parties recognized by the Federal Elections Committee or as otherwise authorized by the Secretary concerned.”
These rules also expressly bar the wearing of uniforms at such political speeches: “The wearing of the uniform by Service members … is prohibited … during or in connection with furthering political activities, private employment, or commercial interests, when an inference of official sponsorship … for the activity or interest may be drawn.”
There are obviously gray areas for a president who is necessarily accompanied by members of the military. Moreover, drawing the line between what is a presidential address and what is a political speech is often difficult. Presidents are politicians and often use official statements to slam their critics or opponents. Such events often have color guards and military bands.
The enforcement of such rules are also rather anemic. Even violation of the Hatch Act are routinely brushed aside by presidents and both the Biden and Trump administrations have violated the Act in the past.
Yet, what is interesting is the relative silence of many in the media on the use of these Marines as virtual nutcracker props for a political speech. The media overwhelmingly condemned President Trump for his picture in front of St. John’s Church after the clearing of Lafayette Park in 2020. While the media falsely claimed that the park was cleared for the photo ed, many criticized the photo with military and law enforcement officials as inappropriate. Later, Gen. Mark A. Milley, apologized for being in the photo, declaring “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.”
Yet, Milley has said nothing about supplying not just the Marine Band but Marines to stand directly behind Biden at a political speech as he denounced his political opponents as threats to democracy and part of what he was called a “semi-fascist” movement. Those Marines stood at attention as the President declared “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.” (Apparently, nothing says that you are against fascism as much as labeling your political opponents enemies of the state with Marines on either side of you).
The use of the Marines would certainly seem to “create a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.” Moreover, the message sent to other military personnel, particularly other Marines, is that support for the President’s opponents is considered a threat to the constitutional Republic.
The Washington Post previously objected to the use of the Marine band at the White House when President Trump was viewed as giving a political speech. During the Trump Administration, others joined such criticism including Members of Congress and public interest groups.
Alice Hunt Friend, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told the Post that the use of the band was a “big violation” since “Americans who see uniformed military personnel at partisan political functions may assume the military has a partisan identity. Presidents running for reelection always have to take extra care to keep their military aides out of their campaign activities.”
Those voices are, thus far, silent in President Biden’s use of these Marines for a highly partisan and divisive speech.
Winston Churchill once said that it is “always dangerous” for military to find themselves mixing with politics because “they enter a sphere in which the values are quite different from those to which they have hitherto been accustomed.” That was never more evident as two young Marines stood at attention as their president accused millions of their fellow citizens of being enemies of the constitutional Republic. They deserved better from the President.
Jonathan: Your column is very strange. Biden gives a much needed speech confronting violent MAGA supporters of the cult of Donald Trump and you call the speech “divisive and inflammatory”. You didn’t bother to discuss the content of Biden’s speech. Your complaint? There were two marines standing behind the President. It’s all about distraction and diversion.
During Trump’s four years in office he often used the military as a prop when he gave political speeches. Don’t recall you complaining then. When hecklers and protesters appeared at Trump’s rallies they were physically attacked by Trump supporters. Trump told his supporters to “knock the crap out of them”. On the other hand, when heckler’s at Biden’s speech shouted “F*** Joe Biden!” how did the President respond? He said: “Those folks you hear on the other side…they’re entitled to be outrageous. This is a democracy”. That’s my main take away from the speech. Biden actually believes citizens have a right to peacefully protest. Trump doesn’t because he is an authoritarian.
At his rally yesterday in Pennsylvania, his first since the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, Trump attacked Biden calling him the “enemy of the people”. That was “divisive and inflammatory” in spades! No comment from you! You have been silent on MAGA supporters using violent rhetoric. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a big Trump supporter, has said that if Trump is indicted over his storing of top secret docs in his residence there will be “riots in the streets”. When a GOP Senator openly calls for political violence you know our Democracy is threatened and why Biden’s speech was long overdue. That’s the part you chose to ignore in your column.
+100
With mid terms looming on the horizon, sleepy Joe finally coming out of his cave!
+1000
Dennis McIntyre, the President of the United States has called all the people who voted for Trump a danger to the nation and semi-fascists. Just because not all of these voters wore a MAGA hat doesn’t mean that they didn’t support his America first policies. We understand that you like Biden believe that 75,000,000 Trump voters are all fascist. The job of a good politician is to bring in voters from the opposition party to his way of thinking not to alienate half the nation. There were black people who voted for Trump. There were hispanic people who voted for trump. There were independent voters who voted for Trump. Are all these people fascists? Why not just admit it. You agree with Joe Biden that all of these people are fascists. Biden must have used the same speech at his meeting with ANTIFA where you chaired the meeting. Biden’s and your rhetoric come directly from the ANTIFA handbook where they call anyone they don’t agree with a fascist. Thanks for sharing.
“ The job of a good politician is to bring in voters from the opposition party to his way of thinking not to alienate half the nation.”
But maga republicans don’t want a politician. They like Trump because he “was not a politician” and he DID spew out alienating and divisive speech. All the time. Even implying that violence against his political opponents. Republicans never criticized those speeches, but when a democrat finally makes an equally forceful speech punching back at maga nutties and Trump groupies they all start losing their minds and crying foul. Amazing.
“the President of the United States has called all the people who voted for Trump a danger to the nation and semi-fascists. ”
He didn’t. Not everyone who voted for Trump is a “MAGA Republican.” Biden’s statement was about the latter, and he clearly stated “Not every Republican, not even the majority of Republicans, are MAGA Republicans. Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology.”
“you like Biden believe that 75,000,000 Trump voters are all fascist.”
Stop pretending to read people’s minds. Biden didn’t say that, and Dennis didn’t either.
ThinkitThrough: Once again, you don’t know what you are talking about. Did you watch Biden’s speech or read the text? I did both. Biden’s speech was certainly an attack on MAGA supporters who are willing to us violence to achieve their and Trump’s goals. But Biden didn’t label every Republican a MAGA supporter. He said: “Now, I want to be very clear, very clear up front. Not every Republican, not even the majority of Republicans. I know, because I’ve been able to work with these mainstream Republicans”. No where in the speech did Biden refer to MAGA supporter “fascists”. Who are MAGA supporters? Eight hundred people who violently attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6 and and many of whom are facing serious jail time. Some have even said, post conviction, they mistakenly drank too much of the Trump cool-aid. I would imagine some MAGA supporters are not inclined to violence–they are not “fascists” per se.
You are at your bizarre best when you make non-sensical allegations. You say: “Biden must have used the same speech at his meeting with ANTIFA where you chaired the meeting. Biden’s and your rhetoric come directly from the ANTIFA handbook…”. This kind of mindless rhetoric is what you call serious discussion? I give up on trying to get you to “thinkitthrough”. If you haven’t done so already you should purchase a “MAGA” red hat from Trump’s online shop. He needs the money to hire lawyers for all the litigation he faces..
Dennis, Trump did not call Biden an “enemy of the people.” That’s the fake news media. Trump called Biden an “enemy of the state.” And he is correct.
The Chinese Communists did not payoff Biden, Inc. (crime family) by tens of millions and not expect a return on its investments. Their man in the White House is delivering in spades.
Anonymous: Excuse…me. Trump called Biden the “enemy of the state” rather than “enemy of the people”. Makes Trump sound worse. What “state” does Trump have in mind? Well, a “state” ruled by one person–Donald Trump. Louis XIV famously said “Letat c’est moi” ( I am the state). Like Louis XVI, Trump thinks he is above the law. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to further expound on the Trumpster. I would prefer comparing Trump to Napolean who came back from exile on the island of Elba in 1815 and reclaimed the crown. It lasted only a year when he was finally expelled from France forever. I understand from reliable sources that there is one thing the FBI did not recover in their search of Mar-a-Lago. It is a diamond and ruby encrusted gold crown Trump had made to wear when he reclaims his rightful place on the throne. I think one man rule of the “state” appeals to you. Right?
Seems to me we have one man rule of the “state” right now. Speaking of dictatorial tendecies, did Trump ever wave a magic wand to buy-off his base by transfering student loan debt from the borrowers to the taxpayers by his mere decree? Biden has violated the Constitution and federal law more times than Trump ever did. Let’s start with illegal immigration, sanctuary cities, and now loan forgiveness? Plus, Biden has issued more executive orders in the first part of his administration than any president in history. We heard nonstop about Russia Russia Russia and Trump, yet we hear never a peep in the press about China China China and Biden Biden Biden. We could go on…
The good news is that independents were appalled by the whole thing. Svelaz and ATS can deny it, but I have the best proof possible. The Biden administration greatly qualified some of the speech’s comments the next day. That’s always an embarrassing admission that internal polling is not rosy.
Somebody should fire the incompetent who dreamed this up. It was bad for the Democrats, whatever one might think of them. Biden clearly is not up to the job because his political instincts should have told him this would backfire. Biden is struggling even at being just a figurehead.
I agree with the Professor, the use of the military at blatantly political events should stop. Both sides have done it, and it’s a bad look for the military.
Further, Milley or Gilday should apologize now because this tone-deaf event was particularly embarrassing for the Marine Corps.
Was it also “embarrassing for the Marine Corps” when they stood in front of Trump in August of 2020 while Trump said “Joe Biden is the puppet of left-wing extremists trying to … replace American freedom with left-wing fascism. Left-wing, we are going left-wing all the way. Fascists. They are fascists. Some of them, not all of them, but they are getting closer and closer”?
It wasn’t embarrassing, but it was inappropriate. Joe’s harangue was both.
What makes one of them embarrassing and the other not?
* behind, not in front of
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🙂
When you assert “The Biden administration greatly qualified some of the speech’s comments the next day” but don’t quote or link to what you’re referring to, you’re not actually presenting “proof.”
Sorry, I won’t link or quote. I want you to remain in denial up to election day.
Up to you, but you’ve still presented zero “proof.”
Will we see the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David H. Berger, protest or offer his resignation in response to this disgusting and unlawful use of his Marines as political props? We all know that Milley has gone partisan, but how about the rest of the Joint Chiefs and the top brass of the Marine Corps? I’m scared what this will tell us about the state and loyalty of our military.
And if you replaced “Republican” with “Democrat,” what he says could easily have been said to Trump re: Trump’s statements about those on the left. I have to wonder if he agreed or disagreed with Trump’s statements, such as “Joe Biden is the puppet of left-wing extremists trying to erase our borders, eliminate our police, indoctrinate our children, vilify our heroes, take away our energy. You know all about that: take away our energy, if you can believe that, no fossil fuel. Destroy our Second Amendment, attack the right to life, and replace American freedom with left-wing fascism. Left-wing, we are going left-wing all the way. Fascists. They are fascists. Some of them, not all of them, but they are getting closer and closer.”
Ah, but you seem to have (either naively or misleadingly) mischaracterized the entire point. Yes, both Trump and Biden issued fiery political statements. But….(1) Trump was not flanked by government military sentinels on either side, with the staged and choreographed background, -as others have pointed out; and (2) Trump referred to “left-wing extremists,” not “Democrats,” or even “left-wing Democrats.” Biden’s was clearly a subliminal attempt to make listeners wary of associating with all-things-Republicans, period.
Trump also had military in the background for his 8/17/20 speech. See, for example, 1:39 in this video:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?474840-1/president-trump-delivers-remarks-mankato-minnesota
They stayed there throughout the entire speech.
In fact, Trump repeatedly used military, even in campaign ads, like this one that aired at the RNC in August of 2020 (the beginning of that ad is here):
https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1565878704210907137
In all of these, the videos show military doing their jobs. Either condemn it on both sides, or don’t condemn it on either side.
“Trump referred to ‘left-wing extremists’”
He did. But his subsequent reference was simply to those who are left-wing: “Left-wing, we are going left-wing all the way. Fascists. They are fascists. …”
“Biden’s was clearly a subliminal attempt to make listeners wary of associating with all-things-Republicans, period.”
BS. Biden clearly stated “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic. Now, I want to be very clear, very clear up front: Not every Republican, not even the majority of Republicans, are MAGA Republicans. Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology. I know because I’ve been able to work with these mainstream Republicans. But there is no question that the Republican Party today is dominated, driven, and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans, and that is a threat to this country.”
He is explicitly rejecting what you say, and if you’ve going to argue about “subliminal” messages, then you should make the same argument about Trump.
Your two referenced videos fail to support your position. The first shows Trump with his plane in the background, NOT flanked by military sentinels. The second is inside the WH, where a customary and traditional door-opening and salute is depicted. It has NOTHING to do with contents of his subsequent speech. Third, you failed to address my key point: Biden’s reference to “MAGA Republicans.”
I repeat, Trump referred to “far-left extremists.” Biden repeatedly referenced MAGA Republicans. Since the 75 million Republicans who voted for Trump ostensibly agreed with his “Make America Great Again” platform, Biden villified them, following Hilarious’s “deplorables” smirk. Trump did NOT villify Democrats. Nor has he villified only the “Build Back Better Democrats,” which (since you like parallels) would be equal to “MAGA Republicans.” So your attempted attenuation that Biden was only referring to MAGA Republicans, not all Republicans, lost its horsepower at takeoff.
Try again. (and hurry, cuz I have to leave/sign off here in a few…)
“The first shows Trump with his plane in the background, NOT flanked by military sentinels.”
I literally gave you the timestamp that shows military on either side of the plane’s stairs. They saluted Trump and remained there during the entire speech. If you don’t see them, then you’re willfully blind.
As for the second, I did not claim that the video of the military has “to do with contents of his subsequent speech.” The military behind Biden also do not have “to do with contents of his subsequent speech.” What I said — what’s true — is that “Trump repeatedly used military, even in campaign ads …. In all of these, the videos show military doing their jobs. Either condemn it on both sides, or don’t condemn it on either side.”
“I repeat, Trump referred to “far-left extremists.””
Duh, I already agreed when I said “He did.” But THEN he shifted to talking about the “left-wing,” not limited to extremists: “Left-wing, we are going left-wing all the way. Fascists. They are fascists.”
“the 75 million Republicans who voted for Trump ostensibly agreed with his “Make America Great Again” platform,”
There aren’t anywhere close to 75 million Republicans in the US. According to Ballotopedia, “As of July 2021, … A total of 36.4 million registered voters identified themselves as Republicans.” That someone chose to vote for Trump does not make them a “MAGA Republican.” By definition, someone who isn’t a Republican cannot be a MAGA Republican. Only a proper subset of Republicans — fewer than that 36M — are MAGA Republicans. Examples of Republicans who are not MAGA Republicans includes Liz Cheney and Larry Hogan.
“Trump did NOT villify Democrats.”
Are you kidding?!? Trump has vilified Democrats MANY times. Take a look at the insults just from his tweets: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/01/19/upshot/trump-complete-insult-list.html
“your attempted attenuation”
You must have meant some other word, as “attenuation” makes no sense there, but it’s not clear to me what word you did mean.
Anonymous: It is my understanding that only @ 30 states have voter registration by political party; in the other states, voters register without such reference to party affiliation. These include heavily-populated states like Texas and Ohio, as well as MT, ND, and a block of mid to southern states, IN, TN, MS, AL,GA, SC, etc.
I would suggest that neither you nor I know how many Republicans there are, and/or, the party affiliation of roughly 40 percent of states (20 of 50). But apparently their voters believed in MAGA enough to vote for Trump, (and yes, attenuation was a proper use of word). thanks
lin,
Yes, in 31 states plus DC, people register with party affiliation; in 19 states, they do not. Of those that do, ~40% of voters are registered Democrats, ~29% are registered Republicans, and ~31% are registered Other (Independent, Green, Libertarian, etc.). Of the 31 states + DC, 13 are plurality or majority Democrats, 8 are plurality or majority Republicans, and 11 are plurality or majority Other. (This is 2021 data from Ballotopedia.)
~124.5M voters are registered in the states with party affiliation out of ~213.8M registered voters in all states (2022 data from World Population Review), leaving ~89.3M in the states where people don’t register by party, ~41.7% of all voters. In order to reach “75 million Republicans who voted for Trump” (quoting you earlier), you’d have to assume that ~39M of those ~89.3M — or ~43.6% — self-identify as Republican, which seems unlikely, given the breakdown across all the states that do allow registration by party, many of which are plurality or majority Republican.
“I would suggest that neither you nor I know how many Republicans there are”
I’ll agree to that. You shouldn’t be claiming that “75 million Republicans … voted for Trump,” and I shouldn’t be claiming that all Republicans are “fewer than that 36M.” It’s still true that only a proper subset of Republicans are MAGA Republicans.
Thank you. And further, I should have said, “75 million Republican-voting persons voted for Trump,” but once you hit the “post comment” button, afterthoughts are meaningless.To that end, my follow-up sentence that 75 million “ostensibly agreed with his ‘Make America Great Again’ platform, [but] Biden villified them [all]” should have made certain my point, and I would suggest that your “Liz Cheney and Larry Hogan” non-MAGAs represented a very small faction/fraction within the voting Republicans of 2020.
Still, you are correct on my equivocal statement. We all can be less than articulate when spouting off comments, and I promise to grant you the same courtesy if you later choose to clarify a point that I might challenge.
I just watched that.
Very well said.
The comments of the people trying to tear this gentleman down are disgusting.
The end ALWAYS justifies the means with this cabal of thug criminals previously identified as prog/left/dems. We can expect far worse as they desperately attempt to hold on to power.
Thanks again to the good professor and Darren for keeping this blog rollin’ rollin’ rollin’-even during a holiday weekend- with rain and storms across wide swaths. At least we [they*] can keep our [their*] minds exercised, if not our [their*] bodies.
*the professor’s previous post about pronouns
Agreed 🙂
“Now I want to be very clear, very clear upfront. Not every republican, not even a majority of republicans are MAGA republicans, but there’s – no question that the Republican Party today is dominated, driven, and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans. And that is a threat to this country.” – Joe Biden, September 1, 2022
The first goal of fascist politics is to make people feel fearful and endangered by some minority out-group, and then to make that minority a target of hatred and retribution. With his latest exhortations, our truly lamebrained and uncomprehending president clearly showed us his fascist politics.
Were he the unifier he pretended to be he would have also spoken of the obvious extent to which the Democratic Party today is dominated, driven, and intimidated by its very own minority out-group. Well, anyway, I hope it’s only a minority out-group.
Trump, in a speech on August 17, 2020, with military in the background, said “Joe Biden is the puppet of left-wing extremists trying to erase our borders, eliminate our police, indoctrinate our children, vilify our heroes, take away our energy. You know all about that: take away our energy, if you can believe that, no fossil fuel. Destroy our Second Amendment, attack the right to life, and replace American freedom with left-wing fascism. Left-wing, we are going left-wing all the way. Fascists. They are fascists. Some of them, not all of them, but they are getting closer and closer.”
https://www.c-span.org/video/?474840-1/president-trump-delivers-remarks-mankato-minnesota
His statements were at least as extreme as Biden’s.
They say Trump lies a lot, but you found a quote and every word is true!
Trump does lie a lot, and you may be biased.
I assume the military you’re referencing are the two Air Force flight crew members of AF1 standing at the bottom of stairs? Maybe stated in Military parlance, “Standing Watch”.
Yes, they were doing their jobs, just like the Marines in the background of Biden’s speech. Either condemn both or condemn neither.
Hate to cavil, but the Air Force personnel are standard issue, whereas the Marines were not stationed at Independence Hall, making their comportment extra ordinary and requested.
George W: Interesting. Thanks.
It doesn’t change the fact that I was addressing: both have had members of the military in the background when giving speeches.
“Either condemn both or condemn neither.”
Why? The validity of condemning one is irrelevant to condemning the other.
Learn some basic rules of logic, and the meaning of ad hominem.
(Save the keystrokes. I don’t need yet another of your pretentious copies and pastes.)
Show us what is not true. You can’t.
“ The first goal of fascist politics is to make people feel fearful and endangered by some minority out-group, and then to make that minority a target of hatred and retribution”
That describes nearly all of Trump’s speeches verbatim. Where was the criticism?
The Dictator (former VP) Biden crossed the Rubicon when, at his campaign kick-off speech in 2019, the corrupt former VP Biden smeared President Trump by repeating the lie that Trump, and by extension, his supporters, are “white supremacists” and the smear-merchant mischaracterized statements made by Trump to the Charlottesville protest by asserting Trump was praising KKK and neo-Nazis when in fact, Trump unequivocally condemned the those groups while also calling out the violence committed by Democratic Party-aligned terrorist groups BLM and Antifa, who were there to tear-down statues, memorials, and other symbols of American history without due process.
Trump’s statement “…there are good people on both sides…”, was clearly, and unequivocally aimed towards the peaceful people who attended the event to stop mobs from unlawfully destroying and tearing down public property, and the peaceful Americans who were seeking to remove the statutes legally. We can have that discussion.
Dictator Biden is embarrassing himself, his family, the presidency, and our country. The dictator has to be excised from our government – the sooner the better.
In a dystopian, hate filled speech against 70 million United States citizens as a ‘danger to democracy’. Flanked by U. S. Marines, Biden channeled Mao and Xi, Stalin, and Imperial Rome, as well as other dictators. Painting a picture reminiscent of the Praetorian Guard, the optics imply support from the Armed Forces of the United States.
Will there be accountability and transparency in determining who ordered and approved this display? There will not be accountability for GFO’s. Accountability will pass down the chain of command and a senior field grade officer will be removed with the phrase “lack of confidence”.
There will be other ramifications for using military members as props. Just as there is a lack of trust in the DOJ and FBI, there will be a loss of confidence in the military’s ability to remain above the political fray. This display will impact both morale and recruiting.
Casting half of the country as a danger to democracy will further undermine confidence in the president. This dark, angry tirade will call into question Biden’s judgement and mental capacity.
Well said, William Downey!
The East is Red! No doubt Gen. Milley let his Chinese counterpart know in advance.
The chair of the joint chiefs is only an advisor to the President. He isn’t in the chain of command and has no authority to order Marines to show up or not show up. That can only come from whoever is telling Biden what to say and do.
Once again JT as many words for small things that Biden does (even though he had no problem when Trump did it), but no words for Trump who stole and is suspected of selling highly classified secrets.
When Turley can’t defend the indefensible he diverts, distracts, and keeps his Cult 45 happy.
“We are at war with these people. These folks are evil. They have allowed evil into their house with Donald Trump. This evil is spreading. And when you are in a war footing, you have to respond accordingly. It is about time Joe Biden got tough. Stop being weak, stop being impotent, quit not fighting back. What these people want to do to this country is destroy democracy.”
– Roland Martin MSNBC
“Obviously Republicans are, I think, the biggest threat to democracy. We don’t separate right-wing extremists and Republican Party anymore.”
– Tiffany Cross MSNBC
As an Independent, I think they just might have that backwards.
I know a number of my Independent friends think Biden and the Dems are pushing for violence after his speech.
We know that the speech was a disaster and the only saving grace for Democrats running this year is that it wasn’t seen by too many people. However with typical liberal incompetence we have the only two channels that carried the speech being CNN and MSNBC and thanks to them a good bunch of people did see this Titanic of speeches and of course, much as an abuser, it hurts only those they love.
My wife and I said, after the media started claiming that Biden was gaining, that Biden has been on vacation and away with Covid and now after a few pyrrhic victories (the inflation reduction act for one, which will end up being a mistake) Biden will now proceed to screw up at least three times prior to November. Well it only took a few weeks and with the tuition fiasco and the speech Biden has screwed up twice already. I believe that the wave is back!
Jack, are we now liable to the thoughts of our fathers? JFK anyone? Obama? Bill Clinton?
Speaking of fathers, Biden had three kids, one is a known and provable crook, drug addict, illegal gun owner and sex lunatic, one is a woman who said Biden showered with her until a not so tender age and then she became a sex addict and a drug addict and one offspring seems like he was ok, but as we know with the Bidens, the truth never comes out.
But here we have Jack telling us that Trump, who has all of his kids doing very well with nary one whiff of scandal, is a nazi because supposedly his father was a nazi???? All as Jack doesn’t have a word to say about Joe Biden, you know, the CURRENT DISASTER OF A PRESIDENT.
That is an outright lie. Fred Trump was definitely not a nazi, and there is no evidence at all that he was ever a Klansman. He was arrested at a Klan rally, but there is no record of what he was arrested for, or what he was doing there. He could just as easily have been protesting against the Klan. What is definitely on the record with plenty of evidence is that he was a philosemite and a generous donor to Jewish causes.
Milhouse, you are correct, and Jack Mahoff is dealing with slime and, therefore, cannot be trusted. The news articles show the police arrested many people. Those people had to post bail, but the police released Fred Trump without any charges, which is what happens when the police detain the wrong person. It is not uncommon for police to also detain innocent people when brawls break out.
Turley sure loves to paint a dire picture, how about this, the Marines are there to protecting the birthplace of the constitution. Wouldn’t that be appropriate?
Trump would have had at least FOUR Marines.
So, ‘if’? That is an acknowledgement that Trump didn’t give such speeches, which makes the actual number for Trump, zero, and is also a sideways acknowledgement that Biden DID, which is apparently just fine with you. Noted, and moving on.
You’re awfully ignorant. Trump called Democrats fascists in a speech and repeatedly used Marines.
Svelaz . . . do you REALLY think this professionally choreographed production had Marines there to protect the birthplace of the Constitution?
Well, there were no BLM or antifa types around, or trying to get in to burn the place down, so Marines present to protect the birthplace of the Constitution is a weak argument.
Ken, it didn’t occur to you that it could just have been a symbolic portrayal? A lot of maga republicans are losing their minds over a speech that they would have considered normal it was coming from Trump.
Republicans are upset because Biden did something that is uncharacteristic of a Democrat. Being forceful and direct in calling out MAGA Republicans. He wasn’t wrong on a lot of his points.
“[T]he Marines are there to protecting the birthplace of the constitution.”
Apologists have such fantastic excuses for their apologies.
Since the constitution does not rest there, and ideas never need physical protection, your child like trolling is provoking chuckles in the more informed among us.
Iowan2, apparently you couldn’t grasp the idea that it would have been symbolic. Wow! it just might have been simply symbolism. Gasp!! What a concept.
might have been simply symbolism
Symbolic of what genius? Everyone over 40 knows where the Constitution rests.
Trolls not so much. But most nominally educated people.
“When you are not with what majority of Americans are, then you know, that is extreme. That is an extreme way of thinking,”
Press Secretary Jean-Pierre
Otherwise known as:
“[T]he optics was a glaring distraction with the intense red background and prominently placed Marines framing the President.”
The only thing missing was a video loop, in the background, of the tanks at Tiananmen Square.
No doubt you said the same when Trump did the same.
You are suffering from TDS, get some help. You’re a dictator loving anti-American Leftist.
You’re a dictator-loving, anti-American Rightist.
“ The Washington Post previously objected to the use of the Marine band at the White House when President Trump was viewed as giving a political speech. During the Trump Administration, others joined such criticism including Members of Congress and public interest groups.”
But not Republican members of congress, that’s the distinction Turley is carefully avoiding. Republicans were the only ones not criticizing those events. It was democrats. Since republicans clearly had no issues with Trump’s political speeches having military in the background they shouldn’t have any issues with Biden doing the same thing. Obviously Fox News and right-wing media are now critical, but they were strangely silent when Trump was involved. Turley didn’t criticize Trump such events when Trump did, in fact he defended it. He mentioned Miley apologize for being in a Trump political event, but Turley didn’t criticize the involvement he was busy criticizing the media in calling the clearing of the square lie
Svelaz, is there anything that Biden or a Democrat will do that you will actually criticize? We shall now call you Svela-pretzel for the way in which you tie yourself in knots defending (in this case, as usual, by omission) the indefensible.
Come on hot shot, any comment on what Biden did on Thursday night?
“ Come on hot shot, any comment on what Biden did on Thursday night?”
He was coughing a little too much. Also there were clearly a few exaggerations, but that’s typical of any speech. His claims about the economy are completely true either.
Now, what are your criticisms of trump? Any? Are you brave enough to air them out here?
Biden cheated to steal the 2020 election. Biden is corrupt, bought and paid for by China, Putin, Ukraine, and other 3rd world countries unfriendly to America. You, are a useful idiot promoting an agenda that, if implemented, will destroy America, and the ruin the greatest era of human prosperity and progress in human history. Democrats are disgusting selfish and ignorant fools.
You sound a tad biased.
The Marines served the purpose of intimidation, suggesting that the military may be used against those who are declared a threat to democracy. Swalwell mentioned the government having nukes, Biden earlier mentioned F15, and now Marines flank the president while he delivers his fascist speech. The FBI also uses intimidation tactics against the regime’s opponents by arresting people early in the morning with SWAT teams and armored vehicles. It is a warning to all of us to obey or face the consequences. The Biden Administration, and the Democrats generally, are playing with fire.
The far-left Marxists who control the O’Biden administration are fully cognizant that if a free and fair election is held in the 2022 midterms, there is a real possibility the MAGA Americans will win significant majorities in both houses of Congress and Nancy Pelosi will lose the speakership.
The Obama/Marxists have come too far in destroying our constitutional republic and free market capitalism, to take one step backward now! These nasty Marxists will not retreat into defeat and the Hobbesian trap is now in play, by a weaponized federal government; in a preemptive strike against the tens of millions of MAGA Americans and Donald J. Trump personally.
WAKE UP AMERICA: O’Biden’s Sept. 1, 2022 Independence Hall speech is a shot across the bow, foretelling of O’Biden sending federal government brown shirts to arrest targeted MAGA Americans before the 2022 midterms, (Roger Stone, Peter Navarro, etc.) And then declaring martial law and postponing the midterms until the weaponized Garland Justice Department “cleanses America” of O’Biden’s political enemies composed of Trump supporters and MAGA Americans. Its a page from Stalin, Lenin, Castro, Hugo Chavez and Mao and is orchestrated from behind by Barack Hussein Obama, the son of Communists.
Prepare now for the O’Biden Marxists to pull the Hobbesian trap trigger first, and declare martial law before November, while the 2022 midterm elections are “temporarily” postponed and habeas corpus is “temporarily” suspended.
Carl L. McWilliams
An American Christian and Patriot
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
I suspect you are correct. Any pretext to suspend the midterms.
Postpone habeas corpus? I suspect many will vote with the ammo box at that point. 700 million guns and billions of rounds of ammo.
We have a government that achieves little but spends money as if it were sunflower seeds. We build a world class military to police the world but don’t police our streets or secure our border. And we sit by and allow a 2-3 tiered system of justice to run rampant. I’m surprised the Democratic Party has not passed a law saying that they have to give clearance to all other candidates before they can run for office. Oh wait! They have the BIPARTISAN mainstream media to do that job just to provide the illusion of distance. Imagine what we could accomplish if we removed about 60-70% of the dead weight of our federal government. Just Imagine.
GEB,
Well stated.
It’s spot on, but I’d love to know how we realistically achieve that. It’s crystal clear that our dems/globalists will octuple down if necessary. They do not intend to relinquish any of their power, and if it were truly total, they have shown demonstrably that they would ensure it stays that way permanently in a flash of a year or two. Though I do agree they are trying to provoke violence (please do not take the bait. Letting them fall on their a**es instead when violence doesn’t materialize from non-dems is better. We all saw the instantaneous pivot yesterday. Their arrogant presumption of ignorance, if not sheer stupidity, on the part of non-elites is shocking), it would be foolish beyond measure. Our communities are too intertwined to ‘divorce’ without at the LEAST forced relocation and the division of resources, and that would just be another, likely even more egregious thing to fight and spill blood over, IMO.
James,
I agree with the trying to provoke violence and DONT take the bait.
Vote against hate, division, and this insanity.
According to the OPM in the latest data available (2017), 44% of the Federal workforce is within five years of retirement eligibility or has gone beyond it (20 years and age 55 being the minimums to be eligible for retirement). A simple hiring freeze implemented on the first day of an administration and held throughout would probably pare the Government by at least 20%.
“Imagine what we could accomplish if we removed about 60-70% of the dead weight of our federal government. Just Imagine.”
Our taxes would go down?
Very articulate! Thank you, GEB!