NEW YORK (Agencies): President Joe Biden, in his address to the graduates of the US Military Academy at West Point, New York, declared the US as the “world’s only superpower” and “leading democracy”. He emphasized the critical role the US plays in supporting its allies globally.
Biden praised the military’s role in “standing up to tyrants” worldwide and “protecting freedom and openness”. He stated, “Thanks to the US Armed Forces, we’re doing what only America can do as the indispensable nation, the world’s only superpower, and the leading democracy in the world.”
He further added, “Never forget: America is the strongest when we lead not only by our example of our power but by the power of our example.”
Reaffirming Washington’s commitment to its allies, Biden singled out Israel and Ukraine. He asserted that there are no American soldiers at war in Ukraine and expressed his determination to keep it that way. However, he emphasized that the US stands strong with Ukraine.
Biden also criticized his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, whom he has previously described as a “dictator”. He said, “We’re standing against a man who I’ve known well for many years, a brutal tyrant. We may not – we – and we will not – we will not walk away.”
On the same day, Donald Trump, Biden’s potential rival in the 2024 election, criticized Biden while speaking at the Libertarian Party National Convention in Washington, DC. Trump described Biden as a “crooked” and “corrupt tyrant”, and “the worst president in the history of the United States”, even comparing him unfavorably to former President Jimmy Carter.