'I believe in America': Fired-up Biden uses State of the Union to skewer GOP

The president made the case for why he deserves a second term.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Tal Axelrod, Meredith Deliso, and Leah Sarnoff
Last Updated: March 7, 2024, 7:00 PM EST

President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday night.

The speech provided Biden one of his biggest audiences of the year as he made his case for a second term and contrasted his vision of the country's future with Republicans ahead of what's expected to be a lengthy general election fight with former President Donald Trump.

ABC News live-blogged every major moment and highlight from the speech, with 538 providing analysis and a closer look at the polling and data behind the politicians.

Key moments:

Here's how the news developed.
Mar 07, 2024, 10:34 PM EST

Biden addresses killing of Laken Riley while discussing border policy

Biden departed from his prepared remarks while discussing his border policy after the name Laken Riley was called out, as some in the GOP have blamed the White House's handling of immigration for Riley's death.

The 22-year-old Georgia nursing student was killed last month -- allegedly by a Venezuelan migrant whom officials say was illegally in the U.S.

President Joe Biden holds up a Laken Riley button as he delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Mar. 7, 2024, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/AP

"Laken Riley! An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal," Biden said while holding up a Laken Riley pin.

Addressing her parents, he said. "My heart goes out to you having lost children myself."

He said Republicans owe it to Americans to "get this bill done," referring to a Senate agreement to tighten immigration restrictions, which some conservatives say is insufficient to fix the problem.

Mar 07, 2024, 10:29 PM EST

Biden calls for gun reform: "Stop it"

Biden reiterated his call for Congress to enact stricter gun reform, including banning high-capacity magazines and assault rifles -- while swiping at former President Donald Trump.

"After another school shooting in Iowa [Trump] said we should just 'get over it.' I say we must stop it," Biden said.

"I’m demanding a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines! Pass universal background checks! None of this violates the Second Amendment or vilifies responsible gun owners."

Mar 07, 2024, 10:29 PM EST

Biden's wish list: Equality Act, voting rights, minimum wage and more

Biden reiterated his calls for several policies at the heart of his domestic agenda, though they are unlikely to become law in this divided Congress.

He urged lawmakers to pass the Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community; the PRO Act, which would protect workers' rights; and the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to bolster voting rights.

"And raise the federal minimum wage because every worker has the right to earn a decent living," he said.

Mar 07, 2024, 10:29 PM EST

Biden says he will not 'demonize immigrants'

Biden referenced former President Trump's rhetoric on immigrants in America, without mentioning him by name, during his State of the Union address Thursday.

"I will not demonize immigrants, saying they 'poison the blood of our country,' as he said in his own words," Biden said of Trump.

"I will not separate families. I will not ban people from America because of their faith," Biden continued.

Biden refrenced the The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, which he introduced during his first day as President.

"Unlike my predecessor, on my first day in office I introduced a comprehensive plan to fix our immigration system, secure the border, and provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and so much more."