Biden rallies Democrats, slams Trump at MD gala

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HANOVER — Former President Joe Biden embraced the theme of the Maryland Democratic Party’s “Fight Back & Win” gala Saturday night, urging state Democrats to stand up to President Donald Trump and his administration.

Biden used his 10 minute speech to blast Trump’s failings and accused him of profiting off the presidency, saying Trump has made billions of dollars since he returned to the White House. He called it “brazen blatant corruption. Corruption on a scale never seen before in American history in any administration.”

And he urged the crowd to do something about it, saying “It’s time to get up, dammit. Get up. Get up, now.”

An individual who tried to interrupt the former president’s speech was escorted out of the room, but for the most part, Biden spoke to a friendly audience who cheered and applauded throughout his remarks.

His speech was the keynote at the event at the Maryland Live! casino in Hanover that was attended by Gov. Wes Moore, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and various state officials, as well as members of the legislature and Congress. Coming on the heels of Tuesday’s primaries, it marks the beginning of the general election season.

Biden’s comments were echoed by other speakers.

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who this month said he’s “kicking the tires” on a potential run for the presidency, led a rallying cry on fighting the Trump administration and preserving democracy.

“I have a question for you, Maryland Democrats: Are you going to shut up?” Van Hollen said.

“No,” the crowd replied.

“Hell no,” Van Hollen said.

“Are you going to run away?” Van Hollen said.

“No,” the crowd replied.

“Hell no,” Van Hollen said.

U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, who easily won the Democratic nomination for his 8th District seat, gave a mini history lesson that included words from former President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the U.S. Constitution.

Raskin, a former constitutional law professor and ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, highlighted the White House’s Religious Liberty Commission report that focuses on the Constitution’s view of the relationship between government and religion.

“You know what else is not in the Constitution? White Christian nationalism is not in the Constitution,” Raskin said to a rousing applause. “You know what’s in the Constitution? Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, and there shall be no religious tests for public office at any level.”

Although Trump’s name was mentioned at least 20 times during the 90-minute gala, there was also a reminder for Democrats to come together and help candidates succeed in the Nov. 3 general election.

In his speech, Moore, who hugged Biden on stage, pointed out, “We have a unique opportunity not just to push back. This is our opportunity to push forward.” Moore, who has also been discussed as a future presidential candidate, will face former state delegate Dan Cox in November, in a rematch of the 2022 gubernatorial election.

Charlene Dukes, the Maryland Democratic Party’s 1st vice chair, said it’s now time for party unity.

“We’re excited about the unity that we’re going to form over these next several months as we go into November,” Dukes said. “What we want you to know is that you can count on your Maryland Democratic Party to be there right beside you.”

William J. Ford has reported for more than 25 years on local, county and state politics.

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