Democrats panic after Biden's debate disaster

This Independence Day, Americans are dealing with some rather existential questions against the usual celebrations on the anniversary of the nation's founding.

At last week's debate between President Joe Biden and Republican candidate Donald Trump, the world saw a dismal display of American leadership: Mr Biden's stumbling performance showed an ageing commander-in-chief unable to complete thoughts or sentences, while his opponent frequently crusaded on lies and xenophobia.

I watched the chaos unfold from the press spin room in Atlanta, and you can read the full recap of the prime-time debate here.

For many, Mr Biden's disastrous performance may be a point from which the Democratic ticket may never be able to recover, as it calls into question the President's – and his party's – claim that the 81-year-old is up to another four years as the leader of the world's most powerful country, despite polls showing voters are concerned about his capacity to serve.

I argued in my post-debate debrief that Democrats are finally catching up to the consequences of telling the electorate: “Just trust us.”

Trump's win on the debate stage again highlighted the political strength of a leader who promises to be a “strongman”, and this week the Supreme Court in part helped to embolden him.

The highest court in the US ruled that Trump, and all other presidents, can claim immunity from criminal prosecution if their actions constitute “official acts”.

Many, including Mr Biden and dissenting Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, have expressed the fear that the decision blocks a core tenet of US democracy, that nobody is above the law.

Today, 248 years ago, a continental congress representing white, property owners in 13 British colonies ratified the Declaration of Independence, a radical proclamation to England's King George III that stated: “Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

The United States of America is now feuding at the highest levels over the distinction between kings and presidents – and many citizens are questioning if their country indeed holds “these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”.

Ellie Sennett

US Correspondent

EYE ON 2024

White House in rush to maintain Democratic support for Biden

A poll from CNN shows that three quarters of US voters believe the Democratic Party would have a better shot at holding the presidency in 2024 with someone other than President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket.

The White House, meanwhile, appears to be rushing to project confidence amid growing fears from the Democratic Party over the viability of Mr Biden's candidacy after his disastrous debate against his Republican opponent Donald Trump.

“Nobody is pushing me out,” Mr Biden said on a Wednesday call. “I am running. I am the leader of the Democratic Party.”

But there are concerns that his confidence has as much weight behind it as the White House's years-long assurances that Mr Biden was up to the job of another four years as commander-in-chief – an assertion that rang decidedly hollow after his debate on CNN.

Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Texas on Tuesday became the first Democratic representative to call on the President to “make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw”.

And high-ranking Democratic Representative Jim Clyburn said he “would support” Vice President Harris if Mr Biden were to step aside – but he added that he “still wants a Biden-Harris ticket”.

Another Democrat, Representative Summer Lee, said in a radio interview: “If our President decides this is not a pathway forward for him, we have to move very quickly … the Vice President is the obvious choice."

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What's Washington talking about?

Gaza death toll The House of Representatives passed a controversial amendment to the State Department's 2025 budget proposal banning the use of statistics from Gaza's Health Ministry concerning Israel's war in the Palestinian enclave. Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, said before the vote that the move amounted to “genocide denial”. The amendment passed with bipartisan support, including about 60 Democrats joining the Republican-led effort.

Administration resignations A group of former US government officials who resigned over America's almost unflinching support for Israel since October 7 have accused President Joe Biden's administration of breaches of international law and “undeniable complicity” in the killing and starving of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

?QUOTED

“In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law … With fear for our democracy, I dissent”

- Liberal Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor warns against the majority opinion on presidential immunity

Column: Arab Americans angry with Biden should note Trump's use of ‘Palestinian’ as a slur

Since the Gaza conflict began, critics of US President Joe Biden, particularly Arab and Muslim Americans, insist that he can no longer be viewed as the “lesser of two evils”, because of his support for Israel’s savage war of vengeance.

But this stinging case against Mr Biden doesn’t actually make him indistinguishable from his predecessor, Donald Trump, writes Hussein Ibish.

Trump’s words ought to remind everyone that he advocates policies and spews much more repugnant, hateful rhetoric. It’s reasonable to be angry with the President, but not to refuse to see the clear difference with Trump.

In particular, Trump’s use of the word “Palestinian” as an insult, aiming to portray its target as unacceptable and disreputable, cannot be ignored.

It is new and especially repugnant since innocent Palestinians are being killed in unprecedented numbers by Israeli occupation forces

Innocent Palestinians – although, not of course, Hamas – deserve sympathy, support and protection from a terrible onslaught. Using their identity as a schoolyard taunt displays crassness and inhumanity.

There’s been limited opposition from Arab and Muslim Americans about this outrageous and disgraceful conduct, aimed squarely at our very identity, because of a continuing effort to convince community members that Mr Biden is unworthy of support, and to at least stay home.

But what would the reaction have been if Mr Biden, particularly given his Gaza policies, began using “Palestinian” as a free-floating and transferable insult in American political schoolyard bullying?

Read Hussein Ibish's column

Only in America

Trump Town USA: The Maga-store where fans of the Don go to spend their dough

At Trump Town USA in rural Virginia, the “Never Surrender” golden trainers are jumping off the shelves.

Emblazoned with an American flag and a capital T, the red-soled, $300 high-tops have become a must-have for many Donald Trump supporters. They quickly sold out after they were unveiled in March.

“That’s the hottest thing I have right now,” says Whitey Taylor, who owns perhaps the best-known Trump merchandise shop in the US, one of dozens across the country cashing in on the former – and very possibly next – president’s popularity.

A recent visit to the shop highlighted an enduring enthusiasm for Trump, whereas Democrats are divided over a frail Mr Biden and are giving a mixed verdict on his time in the White House.

In a decommissioned church that has been resurrected as a shrine to all things Trump, Mr Taylor's shop is impossible to miss for true believers and curious passers-by, as it sits at the only traffic light on the busy road bisecting Boones Mill, population 272.

Read bureau chief Thomas Watkins' report