Joe Biden has warned that American democracy could fall if Donald Trump wins a second term in this year’s presidential election.
In a campaign speech to mark the third anniversary of the Capitol riots on Saturday, Mr Biden has accused his leading Republican opponent of embracing “political violence” and warned voters: “Your freedom is on the ballot.”
The speech – Mr Biden’s first campaign event of the year – gave examples of Mr Trump’s links to the “mob” that stormed the Capitol in January 2021 and his plans for a second term in the White House.
“We’ve been blessed for so long with a strong, stable democracy, it’s easy to forget why so many before us risked their lives to strengthen democracy,” Mr Biden said.
“If democracy falls, we’ll lose that freedom, lose the power of we, the people, to shape our destiny.”
Mr Biden appeared to restrain himself as he recalled how Mr Trump had laughed about a Jan 6 rioter looking for Nancy Pelosi in the Capitol.
“He thinks that’s funny, he laughed about it. What a sick…” Mr Biden said, stopping himself.
“What’s Trump done? He’s called these insurrectionists ‘patriots’, and he promised to pardon them if he returns to office.”