Former president Trump was often criticized for politicizing the armed forces, sometimes rightfully so. President Biden promised never to repeat this norm-violating behavior. So much for that assurance.
On Thursday evening, as Biden delivered his polemical remarks from Philadelphia, in an address billed as confronting the ongoing threats to American democracy, two Marines flanked him on either side behind the podium.
The White House claims that the service members’ appearance was appropriate because the President’s tirade wasn’t partisan. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that “standing up for democracy is not political.” Try telling that to the millions of Americans whose politics and party affiliation were denounced as antithetical to democratic governance in the speech.
Add the indecorous military presence and the bizarre choice of using Independence Hall illuminated in blood-red as an ominous backdrop to last night’s list of oddities and missed opportunities. Maybe it’s time for Biden to get a new advance team?