Joe Biden pushed back at Donald Trump bragging about pushing European allies to put more money into defense. “This is a guy who wants to pull out of NATO,” Biden said, adding that he “got 50 other nations” to support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. Former President Donald Trump suggested Russia never would have attacked Ukraine if he had been in office. “If we had a real president, a president that knew that was respected by Putin, he would have never he would have never invaded Ukraine,” he said.
Quick Read
- Biden Pushes Back on NATO Comments: Biden criticized Trump’s bragging about pushing European allies to spend more on defense, highlighting Trump’s previous desire to pull out of NATO. Biden emphasized his own efforts to unite 50 nations in support of Ukraine against Russia.
- Public Opinion on NATO: About 6 in 10 Americans view NATO membership positively, according to an AP-NORC poll.
- Trump on Russia’s Attack: Trump claimed Russia wouldn’t have attacked Ukraine if he were president, citing his respect from Putin. He has previously praised Putin’s tactics in Ukraine and expressed less warmth for Ukraine and its president.
- Immigration Debate: Trump claimed migrants are housed in “luxury hotels” while veterans are homeless, repeated unproven claims about migrants from mental institutions, and stated he had the “safest border in history.” Biden highlighted a 40% drop in illegal immigration arrests since his executive order.
- Public Opinion on Immigration: Only 3 in 10 Americans approve of Biden’s handling of immigration; higher approval among Democrats, lower among Independents and Republicans.
- Jan. 6 Discussion: When asked about the Capitol riot, Trump pivoted to immigration and taxes, defended his actions on Jan. 6, and attacked Nancy Pelosi. The riot resulted in extensive violence against police officers, with over 1,400 people charged and more than 850 guilty pleas.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden pushes back on Trump’s NATO comments, Trump claims Russia’s attack wouldn’t happen with him as president
Newslooks- ATLANTA (AP) —
Joe Biden pushed back at Donald Trump bragging about pushing European allies to put more money into defense. “This is a guy who wants to pull out of NATO,” Biden said, adding that he “got 50 other nations” to support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
Biden forcefully responded to Trump’s NATO comments, saying: “He has no idea what the hell he’s talking about.”
About 6 in 10 Americans see NATO membership as a very or somewhat good thing for the U.S., while about one-quarter say it’s neither good nor bad and only about 1 in 10 say it’s very or somewhat bad, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted in February.
Trump claims Russia’s attack on Ukraine would not have happened with him as president
The questioning during Thursday’s debate turned to foreign policy beginning with the Russian war in Ukraine, which is now in its third year.
“If we had a real president, a president that knew that was respected by Putin, he would have never he would have never invaded Ukraine,” he said.
Trump has a long history of positive comments about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s toughness, including calling Putin’s tactics in the 2022 invasion of Ukraine “genius” and “very savvy.”
Trump expresses no such warmth for Ukraine or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, most recently calling him a “salesman” this month for the Ukrainian leader’s military aid requests to the United States.
Candidates questioned on immigration and the country’s borders
Former President Donald Trump complained that migrants who arrive in the country illegally are housed in “luxury hotels” while veterans are on the street.
As expected, he also leaned heavily on discussing migrant crime. He also said migrants are coming into the U.S. illegally from “mental institutions” and “insane asylums.” He has not provided evidence for that claim, which he has frequently made at rallies.
Trump also said he had the “safest border border in history” — a highly questionably claim and a familiar talking point.
President Joe Biden has stuck to his talking points on immigration, highlighting 40% drop in arrests for illegal immigration since issuing an executive order suspending asylum.
He’s trying to gain ground on immigration, which has risen as a national priority, not just among Republicans.
Just 3 in 10 Americans approve of Biden’s handling of immigration, according to an AP-NORC poll from June. About 6 in 10 Democrats approve of Biden’s approach to the issue, but only about 2 in 10 Independents and fewer than 1 in 10 Republicans agree.
Questioning turns to the events of Jan. 6, 2021
Debate questions are turning to Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol during the certification of the Electoral College vote count.
Trump was asked by host Jake Tapper whether he violated his oath to protect and defend the Constitution.
Asked about the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump quickly pivoted to immigration and taxes. Pressed on his role, he said he encouraged people to act “peacefully and patriotically,” then attacked former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The rioters on Jan. 6 engaged in hand-to-hand combat with police and used makeshift weapons, including flagpoles, a table leg, hockey stick and crutch, to attack officers. Police officers were bruised and bloodied as they were dragged into the crowd and beaten. One officer was crushed in a doorframe and another suffered a heart attack after a rioter pressed a stun gun against his neck and repeatedly shocked him.
More than 1,400 people have been charged with federal offenses stemming from the riot. Of those, more than 850 have guilty people have pleaded guilty to crimes, including seditious conspiracy and assaulting police officers. About 200 others have been convicted at trial.
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