OPINION: State of the Union as Observed by Alexander Vindman

On Thursday, March 8, President Biden delivered the 2024 State of the Union address. Drawing parallels to the presidencies of Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President Biden accurately stated American democracy is under attack “both at home and overseas at the very same time.”

In describing this threat President Biden cited Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Moscow’s aggression towards our allies, and the rhetoric and activity of the organizers and co-conspirators of the January 6th insurrection as the greatest challenges towards our democracy.

President Biden’s message is clear: The political actors that look to undermine our government and the Constitution also seek to compromise our allies abroad and sabotage Ukraine’s fight for freedom. As described in my earlier substack, this convergence of fringe American political interests and Russian strategic goals has already led to the delay of crucial American security aid to Ukraine – critical aid that, for example, would have allowed the Ukrainian military to hold the important fortress town of Avdiivka.

In 2016 the nascent ideological alliance between MAGA Republicans, far-right European figures, and the Russian government was described as the “Alt-Right Internationale.” Today this political union continues to wreak havoc on our political system, whether through the continued misinfo and disinfo campaigns organized by Moscow directed at the American public or the willingness of congressional Republicans to appease an ousted president. In eight months we will have the opportunity to reject the MAGA message again.

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A major focus in Biden’s address was the meaningful economic growth brought about by his administration’s policies. The increase of America’s manufacturing capabilities, the innovation and development spurred by the CHIPS Act, and the push for vocational training and increased access to education were all the result of initiatives from the Biden administration over the past three years. The forgiveness of student loan debt for nearly 4 million Americans and continued push for affordable, accessible healthcare to all Americans should be seen as the Biden administration’s willingness to deliver a progressive agenda despite intense opposition from members of congress.

Additionally, President Biden reminded the audience that congressional Republicans are voting against bills that they helped write - a reminder that the modern GOP is only interested in kowtowing to Trump and can only operate in bad faith. With this playbook, they have invited our adversaries to attack our allies abroad and nearly destroyed our alliances that took decades to forge.

In reflecting on the challenges, we are facing at home and abroad, we should remember what happened over the past four years when Americans stood up for what was right. We should remember that Trump’s attempt to steal the 2020 election failed and that the insurrection failed. When asked to put what’s right for the United States and Constitution above our political interests, Americans have rejected Trump and the MAGA agenda time and time again. The President described our current political climate as “an unprecedented moment in the history of our Union,” and he reminded us all that, “History is watching.”

Reprinted from the author’s blog Why It Matters. See the original here.

The views expressed are the author’s and not necessarily of Kyiv Post.