President Biden slams “MAGA Republicans”

President Joe Biden addressed the nation Thursday night from Independence Hall in Philadelphia. He spoke of a “threat to our democracy,” while labeling “MAGA Republicans” as extremists. Biden drew a line between supporters of former President Donald Trump, who ran with the campaign slogan “Make America Great Again,” and mainstream Republicans. The president said the country had more to gain by uniting together under an ambitious domestic agenda than by remaining divided over the 2020 election.

Why give the address? The president’s speech comes a little less than two months from the November midterm election, a nationwide test of Democratic messaging and of the nation’s response to the Biden administration so far. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said the president was attacking the “soul of America” by insulting millions of voters and framing them as fascists.

Dig Deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s coverage of the potential “red wave” at the ballot box and her analysis of why some believe it might recede before November.