Symbols matter. Two and a half centuries ago, George Washington mobilized the troops and endured the winter at Valley Forge (Pennsylvania), during the War of Independence, in his fight for democracy.
President Joe Biden went there yesterday, in the shadow of the events of January 6, 2021, to make a "salvo" for democracy, "the sacred cause", in view of the threat posed by Donald Trump.
"Today we have to answer the most important question. Is democracy in America a sacred cause?” Biden posed. "It is not a rhetorical, academic or hypothetical question. That democracy continues to be the sacred cause is the most urgent issue of our time, this is what the 2024 elections are about", he remarked. It is a referendum between freedom or tyranny. "When the January 6 attack happened, there was no doubt about the truth. Even Republicans in Congress and Fox News commentators publicly and privately condemned the attack. And as one Republican senator said, Trump's conduct was shameful and humiliating for the country," the president continued.
"But over time, politics, fear and money have intervened. And those MAGA voices - Trumpists, for 'Make America great again' - who know the truth about Trump and on January 6, have abandoned the truth and our democracy. They have made their choice. Now, the rest of us, democrats, independents, the usual republicans, must make our choice", he insisted in his speech.
"There is never a place for political violence in the United States," condemned Biden. On other occasions he turned to Lincoln or Roosevelt. This time he was inspired by Washington, which represents the peaceful transition of power.
"Democracy is not a secondary issue, it is a sacred cause", he insisted.
Biden had planned to make this speech today, the exact day of the third anniversary of the assault on the Capitol to annul the election result and facilitate Trump's perpetuation in power, but he moved it forward because of the weather forecast. This was his first election event of the year and the third since he announced his campaign for re-election last year. Polls say at least a quarter of Americans believe the false theory that the FBI was behind January 6 is true.
Trump, accused of encouraging the insurgency, plans today to praise the "patriots" who came out to defend him. Those arrested are "political prisoners" and, as autocrats usually do, accuse the legitimate president of being a danger to democracy.
