2024 State of the Union address: on War & Peace

Joe Biden: Ukraine: no American soldiers but America will not bow down

Overseas, Putin of Russia is on the march invading Ukraine and sowing chaos throughout Europe and beyond. If anybody in this room thinks Putin will stop at Ukraine, I assure you he will not. But Ukraine can stop Putin if we stand with Ukraine and provide the weapons that it needs to defend itself. That is all Ukraine is asking. They're not asking for American soldiers. In fact, there are no American soldiers in the war in Ukraine and I'm determined to keep it that way.

But now, assistance to Ukraine is being blocked by those who want to walk away from our world leadership. I wasn't a long ago when a Republican president named Ronald Reagan thundered, "Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall."

Now, my predecessor, a former Republican president, tells Putin, "Do whatever the hell you want." That's a quote. A former president actually said that bowing down to a Russian leader, I think it's outrageous, it's dangerous, and it's unacceptable. America is a founding member of NATO.

Source: 2024 State of the Union address Mar 7, 2024

Joe Biden: Build a pier off Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid

The United States have been leading international efforts to get more humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Tonight, I'm directing the US military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters. No US boots will be on the ground. A temporary pier will enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting in Gaza every day. And Israel must do its part. Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure humanitarian workers aren't caught in the crossfire. They're announcing they're going to have a crossing in Northern Gaza.

To the leadership of Israel, I say this, humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority. As we look to the future, the only real solution to the situation is a two-state solution over time.

Source: 2024 State of the Union address Mar 7, 2024

Joe Biden: Contain Iran; degrade the Houthis; include Saudi Arabia

As we look to the future [in Israel and Gaza], the only real solution to the situation is a two-state solution over time. There is no other path that guarantees Israel's security and democracy. There is no other path that guarantees Palestinian can live in peace with peace and dignity. And there's no other path that guarantees peace between Israel and all of its neighbors, including Saudi Arabia.

Creating stability in the Middle East also means containing the threat posed by Iran. That's why I build a coalition of more than a dozen countries to defend international shipping and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. I've ordered strikes to degrade the Houthis capability and defend US forces in the region. As commander in chief, I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and our military personnel.

Source: 2024 State of the Union address Mar 7, 2024

Katie Britt: No deals with Iran; no nation in retreat

Unfortunately, President Biden's weakness isn't just hurting families here at home. He's making us a punchline on the world stage. Where I'm from, your word is your bond. But for three years, this president has demonstrated that America's word doesn't mean what it used to.

From abandoning allies in his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan to desperately pushing another dangerous deal with Iran, President Biden has failed. We've become a nation in retreat. And the enemies of freedom see an opportunity.

Putin's brutal aggression in Europe has put our allies on the brink. Iran's terrorist proxies have slaughtered Israeli Jews and American citizens. They've targeted commercial shipping. And they've attacked our troops nearly 200 times since October, killing three U.S. soldiers and two Navy SEALs.

Source: GOP Response to the 2024 State of the Union address Mar 7, 2024

Donald Trump: Russia can do what they want to unpaid-up NATO members

Biden said, "My predecessor tells Putin, 'Do whatever the hell you want.' That's a quote. A former president actually said that--bowing down to a Russian leader--I think it's outrageous, it's dangerous, and it's unacceptable." Did Trump really say that?

CNN FactCheck 2/10/24: "NATO was busted until I came along," Trump said at a rally in South Carolina. "I said, 'Everybody's gonna pay.' They said, 'Well, if we don't pay, are you still going to protect us?' I said, 'Absolutely not.' They couldn't believe the answer." Trump said "one of the presidents of a big country" asked him whether the US would still defend the country if they were invaded by Russia even if they "don't pay."

"No, I would not protect you," Trump recalled telling that president. "In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills." [Conclusion: Yes, Trump said Russia could do what they want, but only to NATO members who didn't pay their bills.]

Source: CNN FactCheck on 2024 State of the Union address Feb 18, 2024

The above quotations are from 2024 State of the Union address to Congress, plus the Republican and MAGA response. Click here for definitions & background information on War & Peace. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by Joe Biden on War & Peace. Click here for more quotes by Katie Britt on War & Peace.
*2024 Presidential contenders on War & Peace:*
	*Candidates for President & Vice-President:* V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA) Chase Oliver(L-GA) Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA) Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL) Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH) Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN) Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)	*2024 presidential primary contenders:* Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE) N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R) N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R) Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R) S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R) Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R) Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN) Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH) S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Nov 02, 2024