On Tuesday, President Joe Biden sparked controversy during a campaign event in New Hampshire by echoing a phrase often used by former President Donald Trump, stating “we gotta lock him up” in reference to Trump. Biden’s remarks were delivered amidst his critique of Trump’s policies, which he described as “bizarre” and dangerous. He suggested that if he had voiced warnings about such policies five years prior, he would have faced imprisonment. Realizing the gravity of his statement, Biden quickly clarified that he meant “politically” locking Trump up and emphasized the importance of ensuring Trump does not regain power, stating, “lock him out.” A White House official later reinforced this interpretation, indicating that Biden’s comments were to be understood within the context of the political stakes surrounding the upcoming election.
The Trump campaign swiftly responded to Biden’s comments, framing them as an admission of an ongoing effort to undermine their opponent through political persecution. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign press secretary, called for Vice President Kamala Harris to condemn Biden’s remarks, asserting that the Biden administration poses a genuine threat to democracy. Trump’s team utilized the opportunity to pivot attention back to the theme of political violence and persecution, with spokesman Steven Cheung referencing the attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania. Biden and Harris have previously condemned political violence, adding complexity to the discourse around Biden’s comments, which some allies of Trump perceived as a call for punitive actions against political opponents.
Biden’s comments further complicated the dynamics of the Harris campaign, especially as she has opted to distance herself from him on the campaign trail during this critical period. Historically, at her rallies, Harris has sought to defuse the “lock him up” chants directed at Trump by asserting that the judicial system would address any misconduct. The political environment was already charged due to Trump’s recent convictions for business record falsification and ongoing federal investigations against him, making Biden’s remarks even more provocative. The backdrop of such intense political rivalry was reminiscent of the 2016 election, during which chants of “lock her up” against Hillary Clinton became a rallying cry for Trump supporters.
Further intensifying the situation, Biden’s remarks drew a sharp rebuke from influential conservative figures such as Charlie Kirk, who articulated that Biden’s comments were emblematic of a broader strategy by the Democrats to imprison their political opponents under the guise of justice. Kirk’s assertion pointed to a perception of a systematic effort to neutralize Trump and his allies politically. Meanwhile, Trump himself has consistently threatened legal action against his opponents and has frequently characterized political adversaries—including Biden and Harris—as criminals. His rhetoric often positions the Democrats as an internal enemy, resulting in a challenging and combative political landscape as each side accuses the other of undermining democratic principles.
Biden’s comments were delivered during his tour of New Hampshire, a state critical for the upcoming elections. In his speeches, he expressed urgent concerns regarding the threat posed by MAGA Republicans to constitutional democracy. He emphasized the necessity of winning the election, articulating a vision of a future safeguarded for subsequent generations. He also mentioned private discussions with global leaders who conveyed their fears about the implications of Trump returning to power, reinforcing the perception that Biden is not just facing a national but also an international dilemma regarding Trump’s influence on democracy.
Despite Biden’s attempts to prioritize discussions around healthcare during his campaign stops, his criticisms of Trump have taken center stage, emphasizing the urgent nature of his messaging. He referred to Trump’s vague promises regarding a replacement for the Affordable Care Act as lacking substance, further dissecting what he termed Trump’s “concept of a plan.” This pointed commentary on Trump’s policies and proposals seemed to resonate with the audience, aiming to invigorate Democratic voter support while also setting a stark contrast between the two candidates as the election cycle gears up. The interplay between Biden’s criticism, ongoing investigations of Trump, and the broader implications for American democracy constitute a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the election, making the stakes feel more significant than ever.
