'I believe in America': Fired-up Biden uses State of the Union to skewer GOP, his 'predecessor'
The president made the case for why he deserves a second term.
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:
Heckler removed after apparently shouting about Abbey Gate attack
Late into Biden's remarks, a man was removed from the upper area of the House chamber after shouting out repeatedly.
The man appeared to be yelling about the Marines who were killed in the Abbey Gate bombing at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, during the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
Biden's handling of the American exit was criticized by many at the time, though he has defended ending the protracted and divisive war.
-ABC News' Adam Carlson
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.
"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.
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."
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.
Biden calls on Congress to send him border bill
Biden urged Congress to send him a bill that would combine foreign military aid to Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine with stricter border reforms than Democrats have historically supported.
The bill initially had buy-in from top Republicans but was killed in the Senate after former President Donald Trump came out against it. The chamber later passed a bill that included the foreign aid but not the border component, though that bill too is languishing in the House of Representatives.
"Look folks, we have a simple choice. We can fight about fixing the border, or we can fix it. I'm ready to fix it. Send me the border bill now," he said.