Current:Home > FinanceJill Biden to rally veterans and military families as Biden team seeks to shift focus back to Trump -MoneyTrend
Jill Biden to rally veterans and military families as Biden team seeks to shift focus back to Trump
View
Date:2025-04-15 05:08:29
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jill Biden is launching President Joe Biden ‘s outreach to veterans and military families during a campaign swing through battleground states, drawing contrasts with her husband’s Republican rival as the Biden team works to shift the conversation away from growing calls for the Democratic incumbent to drop his reelection bid after a damaging debate performance against Donald Trump.
The first lady was to announce the formation of Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris during stops Monday in Wilmington, North Carolina; Tampa, Florida; and Columbus, Georgia. The states have large populations of veterans and military families.
Her daylong tour is part of the Biden campaign’s broader effort to rebound from the president’s halting performance against Trump in last month’s debate, which led a handful of House Democrats and others to call on Biden to end his campaign because they no longer believe the 81-year-old president is mentally and physically capable of defeating Trump in November’s election.
Biden has insisted, during public appearances since the June 27 debate, that he is staying in the race.
His campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, said the new group will work to engage and mobilize millions of veterans and military families in the U.S. to vote to reelect the president.
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s complete coverage of this year’s election.
“Our veterans and military families are the brave and the bold, who step forward for all of us,” she said. “They deserve a commander in chief who respects their bravery and understands personally their sacrifice, not one who denigrates them for being willing to put their lives on the line for our democracy.”
Rodriguez was referring to reports that Trump, during a 2018 trip to France, referred to service members who made paid the ultimate sacrifice as “suckers” and “losers.” Trump denies making the comments.
Biden’s late son Beau served in Iraq as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard, and the first lady’s father was a Navy signalman during World War II.
Biden and Trump argued during the debate over who cares the most about veterans. Biden noted that he recently visited an American military cemetery in France, the final resting place for U.S. soldiers who fought in World War I, which Trump notably skipped on that 2018 trip.
Trump asserted during the debate that the Democratic president is coddling migrants while neglecting the needs of veterans and service members, and he faulted Biden for the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
Biden’s campaign noted that the president had expanded benefits for veterans affected by toxic exposures, developed a strategy to reduce veteran suicide, increased support for caregivers and awarded more than $1 billion in 2023 to support homeless veterans.
Jill Biden separately leads a White House initiative named Joining Forces, which is working to help military spouses get and keep federal government jobs, make child care more affordable and accessible for military families and support those who care for veterans.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Hamas recruiter tells CBS News that Israel's actions in Gaza are fueling a West Bank recruiting boom
- Hamas recruiter tells CBS News that Israel's actions in Gaza are fueling a West Bank recruiting boom
- Will it take a high-profile athlete being shot and killed to make us care? | Opinion
- Average rate on 30
- Godzilla, Oscar newbie, stomps into the Academy Awards
- Photos: Uber, Lyft drivers strike in US, UK on Valentine's Day
- Outer Banks Star Austin North Speaks Out After Arrest Over Alleged Hospital Attack
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Man charged with beheading father carried photos of federal buildings, bomb plans, DA says
Ranking
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- What's the best restaurant near you? Check out USA TODAY's 2024 Restaurants of the Year.
- Mother, daughter killed by car that ran red light after attending Drake concert: Reports
- Shooting on a Cheyenne, Wyoming, street kills one, injures two
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Sgt. Harold Hammett died in WWII. 80 years later, the Mississippi Marine will be buried.
- Steph Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu to face off in 3-point contest during NBA All-Star weekend
- The Excerpt podcast: At least 21 shot after Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade
Recommendation
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
USA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year for 2024: How the list of best restaurants was decided
Zendaya’s Futuristic Dune: Part Two Premiere Look Has a NSFW Surprise
Detroit Pistons' Isaiah Stewart arrested for allegedly punching Phoenix Suns' Drew Eubanks before game
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Hamas recruiter tells CBS News that Israel's actions in Gaza are fueling a West Bank recruiting boom
Biden administration looks to expand student loan forgiveness to those facing ‘hardship’
Michigan school shooter’s father wants a jury from outside the community