President Joe Biden, in France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, will give remarks on Friday forcefully defending democracy at a site of American heroism during World War II.
Biden will speak from Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, where Army Rangers scaled 100-foot cliffs to seize the German ammunition that could have been used against troops at Omaha and Utah beaches.
It is the same backdrop where President Ronald Reagan, the first U.S. president to visit Normandy to mark the anniversary allied forces invading occupied France 40 years later, gave an iconic speech lauding the men who fought there and the need for alliances against totalitarianism.
Biden on Friday, according to the White House, will similarly address “timeless principles” of American democracy and leadership on the world stage.
“He’ll talk about the stakes of that moment. An existential fight between dictatorship and freedom,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters earlier this week.
“And he’ll talk about the dangers of isolationism and how if we bow to dictators and fail to stand up to them, they keep going and ultimately America and the world pays a greater price,” Sullivan added.
ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce reports that while he is not expected to call out former President Donald Trump by name, the contrasts will be clear.
President Joe Biden attends a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 6, 2024.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Before his speech, Biden met face-to-face with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reiterate U.S. support for the war-torn nation in its fight against Russian forces.
Biden commended the bravery of the people of Ukraine and Zelenskyy’s authority against Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
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“And you’re proving once again that people cannot and will never be overtaken and I assure you, the United States is going to stand with you,” Biden said.
“You are the bulwark against the aggression that is taking place,” he added. “We have an obligation to be there … We’re still in, completely, thoroughly.”
Biden announced a new assistance package for Ukraine to help restore the country’s electrical grid, and offered an apology for the delay in funding for Ukraine as Congress negotiated $60 billion in aid.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Joe Biden hold a bilateral meeting at the Intercontinental Hotel in Paris, on June 7, 2024.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Biden put democracy front and center of his 2020 campaign for the White House and is doing so again in his reelection bid, seeking to contrast his foreign policy approach with Trump’s “America First” agenda.
His appearance in France comes as he navigates two international conflicts: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Earlier this week, at Normandy American Cemetery, Biden spoke about the need to work with partners around the globe in safeguarding freedom.
“Isolationism was not the answer 80 years ago and is not the answer today,” Biden said. “Real alliances make us stronger, a lesson that I pray we Americans never forget.”
ABC News’ Sarah Kolinovsky contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden is set to deliver a powerful speech honoring the heroes of D-Day in Normandy, France, where he will also emphasize the importance of defending democracy in today’s world. The speech, which will take place on the 77th anniversary of the historic Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, is expected to be a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom and democracy.
Biden’s decision to focus on democracy in his speech comes at a time when democratic values are under threat around the world. From authoritarian regimes cracking down on dissent to the rise of populist movements that seek to undermine democratic institutions, the challenges facing democracy today are significant. In this context, Biden’s defense of democracy is not only timely but also crucial.
The President’s speech is likely to highlight the enduring importance of the values that were defended on D-Day: freedom, equality, and justice. These values are not just abstract ideals but are the foundation of a just and inclusive society. By honoring the heroes of D-Day, Biden is also paying tribute to the principles they fought for and reminding us of our responsibility to uphold them.
In addition to honoring the past, Biden’s speech is expected to address the challenges facing democracy today. The President has been vocal about the need to strengthen democratic institutions, protect human rights, and promote democratic values around the world. By delivering a strong defense of democracy in Normandy, Biden is sending a clear message that the United States stands with those who are fighting for freedom and democracy.
As we mark the anniversary of D-Day, it is important to remember the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom. But it is also important to reflect on what those sacrifices mean for us today. By defending democracy in his speech in Normandy, President Biden is reminding us that the values we hold dear are worth fighting for – and that we must never take them for granted.
