Biden 2024 news: White House botches question over term length as campaign embraces ‘Dark Brandon’ meme

Democrat posts ‘Let’s Finish the Job’ promo announcing fresh run and attacking GOP populists, warning basic rights are under assault from intolerant conservatives

President Joe Biden confirms 2024 reelection bid

US president Joe Biden has announced his 2024 re-election bid in a new video early on Tuesday morning, exactly four years after he launched his last campaign for the White House.

His “Let’s Finish the Job” promo opens with footage of the events of 6 January 2021 and reaffirms his commitment to fighting for freedom and democracy. It features a pointed attack on “MAGA extremists”, whom Mr Biden warns are hell-bent on cutting social security while offering tax breaks to the wealthy and assaulting abortion rights, LGBT+ values, limiting voting access and banning books.

Mr Biden says “this is our moment” to stand up for the rights of Americans as he urges voters to give him a second term in the White House to “finish the job”.

“Freedom. Personal freedom is fundamental to who we are as Americans,” he says.

“There’s nothing more important, nothing more sacred. That’s been the work of my first term to fight for our democracy, to protect our rights, to make sure that everyone in this country is treated equally and that everyone is given a fair shot at making it.”

At 80, Mr Biden is the oldest candidate in American history to ever make a reelection bid.

Following his announcement, the US is now shaping up to see a rematch of the 2020 presidential election, when Mr Biden beat Mr Trump in the Republican’s quest for a second term.

But, based on recent polls, a 2020 rematch does not appear to be what the American people currently want.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had to clarify a response during her briefing on Tuesday after a reporter asked whether Mr Biden would serve a full eight years if re-elected.

“As you know, we take following the law seriously. So I wanted to be sure that I didn't go into 2024 more than is appropriate under the law. But I can confirm that if re-elected, @POTUS would serve all 8 years,” she said.

The Biden campaign, meanwhile, is embracing the “Dark Brandon” memes popularised around key policy victories for the president.

Key Points

• Biden announces new White House bid with attack on ‘MAGA extremists'
• Trump launches blistering attack on Biden’s America
• Poll says Americans don’t want Trump or Biden to run again
• Biden expected to tap senior adviser to run re-election campaign
• President’s top domestic policy adviser leaves role

[26 April 2023 05:15 · John Bowden]

The not-so-subtle digs in Biden’s 2024 announcement

Joe Biden’s campaign announcement was a preview of the strategy he’ll use against Republicans writ large in 2024, writes The Independent’s Eric Garcia.

One theme ran consistent throughout his 2024 launch on Tuesday: That his party is the party of freedom while the Republican Party poses a threat to personal liberty. Republicans commonly sell themselves as the party of “freedom” and many political action committees, outside groups and conferences use some variation of the word.

[26 April 2023 06:15 · John Bowden]

How old is Donald Trump and how does his age compare to other US presidents?

When Donald Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, he became the oldest commander-in-chief sworn in at the age of 70 years and 220 days old.

That was surpassed by his successor Joe Biden, who was 78 years and 61 days when he became the country’s 46th president in January 2021.

But depending on who wins the 2024 presidential election, a new record could be set as both Mr Biden and Mr Trump are running for the presidency again.

[26 April 2023 08:15 · John Bowden]

Biden's top domestic policy adviser leaves role

In a surprising shift, Joe Biden’s top domestic policy adviser Susan Rice is set to leave her post next month just as the president launches his re-election bid.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Biden said of her departure: “After more than two years of her steady leadership of the Domestic Policy Council – it’s clear: there is no one more capable, and more determined to get important things done for the American people than Susan Rice.”

Ms Rice, a longtime Democratic foreign policy expert, served as president Barack Obama’s national security adviser and UN ambassador, the only person to serve in both positions.

She worked closely with then-vice president Biden in those roles and was on his short list to become his running mate during the 2020 campaign.

[26 April 2023 09:15 · John Bowden]

Do Republicans have anything on the Biden family?

With Joe Biden having finally announced that he is officially seeking re-election, Republicans in Congress have been busy conducting investigations that they hope will tarnish the 46th president’s public image enough to convince voters that it is Donald Trump – not Biden – that deserves four more years at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Biden himself has not been the target of the various congressional investigations.

Instead, Republicans are laser-focused on using the full power of legislative branch oversight to target Biden’s son Hunter.

Andrew Feinberg has the details.

[26 April 2023 10:15 · John Bowden]

Hunter Biden calls for investigation into Marjorie Taylor Greene

Hunter Biden, the president’s son, has long been a target of calls for investigations by Republicans. Now, he’s returning the favour.

His lawyer called for Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene to be investigated for what the president’s son has called “unmoored verbal abuses” such as false accusations of human trafficking, The Washington Post reported.

Abbe Lowell, the lawyer for President Joe Biden’s son, sent a letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics asking for an investigation.

Eric Garcia reports from Washington, DC.

[26 April 2023 11:15 · John Bowden]

Karine Jean-Pierre explains what Biden means by ‘finish the job'

The White House press secretary was asked during Tuedsay’s briefing about what Mr Biden meant in his reelection announcement and in other speeches when he referred to the need to “finish the job” in the months and years ahead.

Ms Jean-Pierre replied that Mr Biden was referring to implementing the legislation his administration had successfully shepherded through Congress, including the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as other 2020 campaign promises which have been held up by both Republicans and some of his own party members on Capitol Hill.

“You’re going to continue to hear him say this...he believes that this is a way to communicate with the American people, to communicate to let them know that we are going to do the job and finishing up the agenda that he laid out in 2020,” she said.

[26 April 2023 11:45 · John Bowden]

Trump suggests boycott of 2024 GOP debates as Democrats skip them altogether

Former President Donald Trump has suggested that he is planning on skipping the Republican primary debates due to his polling advantage and alleged biases against him.

Mr Trump voiced a particular concern with the second primary debate, scheduled to be held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Democrats, meanwhile, are not holding any debates this cycle. It’s a move that has some hoping for a younger, more progressive alternative to challenge the president on the debate stage fuming.

Abe Asher covers the ex-president’s latest Truth Social rant:

[26 April 2023 12:15 · John Bowden]

Bernie Sanders backs Biden, says he won’t mount 2024 bid

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who had left open the possibilty of running for president if Joe Biden declined to run for reelection, confirmed on Tuesday that he would not compete for the nomination against the incumbent president.

Mr Sanders told the AP that he would “do everything I can to see the president is reelected.”

“The last thing this country needs is a Donald Trump or some other right-wing demagogue who is going to try to undermine American democracy or take away a woman’s right to choose, or not address the crisis of gun violence, or racism, sexism or homophobia,” said the senator. “So, I’m in to do what I can to make sure that the president is reelected.”

[26 April 2023 12:45 · John Bowden]

GOP uses dystopian AI-generated video to attack Biden as he launches re-election bid

The Republican National Committee has released an ad using AI-generated images to paint a grim future if President Joe Biden were to win a second term.

The video came as Mr Biden announced his bid for a second term for president in the 2024 presidential election. Axios first reported that the video uses AI-generated images of Mr Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris celebrating their re-election.

Eric Garcia has more.

[26 April 2023 13:15 · John Bowden]

KJP clarifies: Biden will serve all eight years

White House press secretary Karine Jeane-Pierre issued a clarification on Twitter after seeming to laugh off a question and direct a reporter to Joe Biden’s 2024 campaign when asked at Tuesday’s briefing if Mr Biden would serve “all eight years” if he won reelection.

“As you know, we take following the law seriously. So I wanted to be sure that I didn’t go into 2024 more than is appropriate under the law. But I can confirm that if re-elected, @POTUS would serve all 8 years,” she wrote.