Biden criticizes Trump's birthright plan
President Joe Biden expressed strong criticism regarding President-elect Donald Trump's plans to eliminate birthright citizenship in the United States. The remarks came after Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act at the White House, marking the first expansion of retirement benefits in two decades for certain public sector retirees, including former police officers and firefighters.
During the press conference, Biden addressed multiple concerns about the upcoming transition of power. While noting that the governmental transition appeared to be proceeding smoothly, he highlighted internal issues within Trump's transition team. When questioned about the approaching anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Biden reaffirmed his view that Trump's actions constituted a "genuine threat to democracy," emphasizing that the events should neither be rewritten nor forgotten.
Biden particularly focused on defending birthright citizenship, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the United States regardless of their parents' immigration status. In response to Trump's announced plans to end this constitutional right through executive action on his first day in office, Biden stated, "The idea is we're going to change a constitutional birthright – if you're born in the country... you're not a citizen? What's going on?"
The President also criticized Trump for opposing a bipartisan immigration bill aimed at strengthening border enforcement. Biden emphasized America's strength as a multicultural nation, identifying white supremacy as one of several threats facing the country. He expressed frustration over Trump's influence on lawmakers regarding the immigration legislation, repeatedly calling it "ridiculous."
The exchange highlights the continuing political tension between the outgoing and incoming administrations, particularly concerning immigration policy and constitutional rights, as the country prepares for another transition of power following Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
