Biden links Ukraine fight to World War II on D-Day
The US cannot "bow down to dictators," said the president in a speech that also implicitly criticized Trump
What happened
President Joe Biden addressed dozens of World War II veterans at the Normandy American Cemetery above Omaha Beach on Thursday, using the 80th anniversary of D-Day to highlight current battles against autocracy. Biden met individually with 41 Americans who stormed the beaches of Normandy, many of them over 100 and wheelchair-bound, then gathered with other world leaders at Omaha Beach for a larger D-Day commemoration.
Who said what
The "last living voices of those who fought and bled on D-Day" will soon be gone, and "we can't let what happened here be lost in the silence of the years to come," Biden said. Just as the U.S. and its allies joined forces to beat the Nazis 80 years ago, "we will not walk away" from Ukraine as it fights off Russia's invasion, because if we "surrender to bullies" and "bow down to dictators," we'd be "forgetting what happened here on these hallowed beaches."
Biden "never mentioned his Republican rival by name, but his speech offered an implicit critique of Donald Trump's 'America First' approach," The Associated Press said. While Biden was in France "warning of totalitarian evil and the dangers to democracy," CNN's Stephen Collinson said, Trump was "back home, seeking a favor from Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, mulling revenge and trashing U.S. elections."
What next?
Biden will give a longer speech at the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc on Friday and return to the U.S. on Sunday.
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.
-
The best dark romance books to gingerly embrace right nowThe Week Recommends Steamy romances with a dark twist are gaining popularity with readers
-
The ocean is getting more acidic — and harming sharks’ teethUnder the Radar ‘There is a corrosion effect on sharks’ teeth,’ a study’s author said
-
6 exquisite homes for skiersFeature Featuring a Scandinavian-style retreat in Southern California and a Utah abode with a designated ski room
-
Trump sues JPMorgan for $5B over ‘debanking’Speed Read Trump accused the company of closing his accounts for political reasons
-
Minnesota roiled by arrests of child, church protestersSpeed Read A 5-year-old was among those arrested
-
Migrant death in ICE custody ruled homicideSpeed Read Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, died of asphyxia, the coroner said
-
ICE memo OKs forcible entry without warrantSpeed Read The secret memo was signed last May
-
DOGE shared Social Security data, DOJ saysSpeed Read The Justice Department issued what it called ‘corrections’ on the matter
-
Halligan quits US attorney role amid court pressureSpeed Read Halligan’s position had already been considered vacant by at least one judge
-
DOJ subpoenas Minnesota Democrats in legal escalationSpeed Read Several officials, including Gov. Tim Walz, were subpoenaed
-
Trump ties Greenland threat to failed Nobel Peace bidSpeed Read ‘I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace,’ Trump said
