Biden, on anniversary of Jan. 6: 'You can't love your country only when you win'

President Biden spoke Thursday regarding the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack, delivering a potent and powerful address in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.
His speech, held in a venue in which U.S. presidents rarely appear, also served as a forceful rebuke of former President Donald Trump, who Biden never mentioned by name.
"You can't love your country only when you win," Biden proclaimed Thursday. "You can't obey the law only when it is convenient. You can't be patriotic when you embrace and enable lies."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In discussing the events of the riot, the current president blamed his predecessor for spreading a virtriolic "web of lies about the 2020 election," and assailed him for refusing to accept he lost.
"He's not just a former president," Biden said, directly alluding to Trump. "He's a defeated former president."
Biden ended his remarks by reaffirming his commitment to the country, and to ensuring democracy prevails.
"I did not seek this fight, brought to this Capitol one year from today. But I will not shrink from it either," the president exclaimed. "I will stand in this breach, I will defend this nation. I will allow no one to place a dagger at the throat of this democracy."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
How does the EPA plan to invalidate a core scientific finding?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Administrator Lee Zeldin says he's 'driving a dagger into the heart of the climate change religion.' But is his plan to undermine a key Obama-era greenhouse gas emissions policy scientifically sound — or politically feasible?
-
The countries that have recognized Palestinian statehood
The Explainer The United Kingdom has become the latest country to weigh in on the issue
-
9 grab-and-go toiletry sets that make packing a breeze
The Week Recommends All the essentials in one place
-
Harris rules out run for California governor
Speed Read The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee ended months of speculation about her plans for the contest
-
Trump sets new tariff rates as deadline nears
Speed Read New tariff rates for South Korea, Brazil and India announced
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
Senate confirms Trump loyalist Bove to top court
Speed Read The president's former criminal defense lawyer was narrowly approved to earn a lifetime seat
-
Ghislaine Maxwell offers testimony for immunity
Speed Read The convicted sex trafficker offered to testify to Congress about her relationship with late boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein
-
Judge halts GOP defunding of Planned Parenthood
Speed Read The Trump administration can't withhold Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, said the ruling
-
Trump contradicts Israel, says 'starvation' in Gaza
Speed Read The president suggests Israel could be doing more to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians
-
The Pentagon's missing missiles
Feature The U.S. military is low on weapons. Can it restock before a major conflict breaks out?