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WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden took aim at Donald Trump on Tuesday, suggesting it's time to "lock him up" — at least politically. Speaking to campaign staff in New Hampshire, Biden stressed that democracy is on the line in the upcoming Nov. 5 election and urged Americans to consider the consequences if Trump wins.
Biden, who defeated Trump in the 2020 election, referenced Trump's interpretation of a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, implying that Trump believes it gives him the right "to actually eliminate — physically eliminate — shoot, kill — someone he perceives as a threat."
"If I had said this five years ago, they would have locked me up," Biden remarked at the New Hampshire Democratic Headquarters in Concord. He then clarified, "We need to politically lock him up. Lock him out. That's what we have to do."
This sharp rhetoric marks a contrast to Biden's usual restraint when discussing Trump’s legal troubles. Typically, Biden has deferred to the Justice Department on all matters related to the criminal charges and investigations facing Trump.
In May, a New York jury convicted Trump on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments to a former porn star, with whom he allegedly had an affair. Trump’s sentencing is set for Nov. 26, just weeks after the election.
Trump also faces charges in three other cases tied to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and mishandling classified documents after leaving office. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
At rallies for Vice President Kamala Harris, chants of “lock him up” are frequently heard, but Harris has urged restraint, insisting that the Justice Department should handle Trump’s legal issues while she focuses on defeating him at the polls.
Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt criticized Biden's comments, claiming, "Joe Biden just admitted the truth: He and Kamala have always intended to politically persecute President Trump because they know they can't beat him fairly."
The "lock her up" chant also featured prominently at Trump rallies in 2016, during his campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton. Since then, Trump has repeatedly vowed to prosecute or punish his political adversaries.
Biden’s comments come at a particularly charged moment in the 2024 campaign, as the legal troubles surrounding Trump intensify and continue to shape the political landscape. Trump's base remains highly energized, with many viewing the various indictments as politically motivated attacks aimed at weakening his 2024 bid. Meanwhile, Biden's comments in New Hampshire reflect growing Democratic concerns over what a second Trump term could mean for the future of American democracy.
In his speech, Biden underscored what he sees as the stark contrast between himself and Trump, presenting the former president as a danger to democratic norms and institutions. By suggesting Trump believes he can "eliminate" his opponents, Biden aimed to emphasize the authoritarian tendencies he attributes to Trump’s political behavior.
This message is resonating with Democratic voters who are deeply concerned about Trump’s influence on the country’s institutions and the rule of law. Biden’s framing of the election as a fight for the very survival of democracy is likely to play a central role in his campaign, particularly as Trump’s legal issues remain unresolved and continue to grab headlines.
Trump’s own rhetoric, which often includes threats to investigate or imprison political rivals, has fueled fears about the potential erosion of democratic institutions under his leadership. His “lock her up” chants during the 2016 campaign, aimed at Hillary Clinton, have evolved into broader claims of political persecution as he faces legal battles on multiple fronts. Trump's calls to investigate Biden and his family have been central to his messaging as he seeks to portray the legal cases against him as part of a political witch hunt.
At the same time, Biden’s strategic use of the “lock him up” phrase — and his clarification that he means politically — reflects a calculated effort to energize his base without descending into the same kind of rhetoric that Trump has employed. By drawing a line between legal accountability and political defeat, Biden is positioning himself as a defender of the rule of law while making it clear that the ultimate goal is to defeat Trump at the ballot box.
With Trump’s trial dates looming close to the election, the legal battles will likely remain a focal point of the campaign. Both Biden and Harris have taken a somewhat measured approach, frequently pointing to the Justice Department’s independence, even as their supporters grow more vocal in calling for accountability. Whether the public views these legal proceedings as legitimate efforts to uphold the law or as politically motivated will be a critical factor in shaping the election’s outcome.
As the race continues to heat up, the stakes could not be higher. Both sides are sharpening their messages, and Biden’s comments in New Hampshire mark a significant escalation in the political fight, with the future direction of the country hanging in the balance.
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