U.S. President Joe Biden ignited controversy on Tuesday during a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire, by urging Democrats to “politically lock up” Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner, whom he labeled a threat to democracy.
These comments emerged just two weeks before the pivotal November 5 election, where Democratic candidate Kamala Harris is in a tight race against Trump, according to recent polls.
Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s headquarters, Biden warned of the dangers a Trump presidency could bring. He accused Trump of seeking to “disregard the safeguards of the U.S. Constitution” and of wanting to replace civil servants with loyalists, potentially undermining democratic principles.
“We’ve got to lock him up,” Biden stated, quickly clarifying that he meant it in a political context rather than a literal one. His language mirrored chants from Trump’s 2016 campaign, during which supporters frequently called for Hillary Clinton’s imprisonment, a notion Trump did not discourage.
Biden emphasized that Democrats need to “lock Trump out” of office through the electoral process, encouraging his supporters to prevent the former president from regaining power.
The Biden-Harris campaign has encountered significant hurdles, particularly regarding economic issues and immigration—areas where Trump continues to hold a polling advantage.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated Harris with a slight lead over Trump at 46% to 43%, but the margin is within the poll’s error range.
While Harris has been leading on topics like healthcare and threats to democracy, voters still favor Trump’s handling of the economy and immigration.
Trump, facing 34 felony counts in New York related to a hush-money payment and currently under federal investigation for efforts to overturn the 2020 election, has accused the Biden administration of political persecution.
In response to Biden’s remarks, Trump’s campaign quickly condemned the comments as evidence of political bias. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called Biden’s statement a “disgraceful” attempt to target a political opponent.
Harris, who has refrained from inflammatory rhetoric, has consistently rejected calls from her supporters to “lock him up,” asserting that the courts will address Trump’s legal challenges while she concentrates on winning the election.
Both candidates are focusing on key battleground states where the election is likely to be decided.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s found itself in the campaign spotlight after Trump made a surprise appearance at a franchise in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, on October 21, serving fries and working the drive-thru in a staged event.
However, McDonald’s quickly clarified that it does not endorse political candidates, reaffirming its commitment to neutrality in the race. The fast-food chain also mentioned inviting other political figures, including Harris, to demonstrate its dedication to local communities.
As Election Day approaches, both campaigns are working diligently to rally supporters, knowing that voter turnout will be crucial in one of the closest races in recent U.S. history.
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