'I SUPPORT CHANGING THE SENATE'S RULES'
‘Hate Evil, Love Good’: Biden Talks Insurrection and Civil Rights in Fiery Speech Pushing for Voting Rights Bills

Calling for the “renaissance of democracy” and “getting rid of the filibuster for this,” President Joe Biden delivered a speech in Atlanta, taking Americans on a walk through current and past events, from Jim Crow in the 1960’s to his predecessor’s “Big Lie,” all in an thunderous effort to pass major voting right legislation.
“This is the moment to decide, to defend our democracy,” Biden said from Morehouse College, offering voters a choice between historic segregationists and freedom fighters. He called it “one of those defining moments” in America.
“What in the hell are we talking about?” Biden said of efforts by Republican lawmakers to make it harder to vote, receiving applause and laughter.
“The new Georgia law actually makes it illegal…to bring your neighbors, your fellow voters, food or water while they wait in line to vote. What in the hell are we talking about? That’s not America!” – @POTUS pic.twitter.com/SP3MwgfZXj
— Indivisible Guide (@IndivisibleTeam) January 11, 2022
Biden cracked several jokes, at one point saying, “I’m so damn old I was there,” to applause on stage and online.
“But I’ve walked other grounds, because I’m so damn old I was there as well.”
I LOVE @POTUS. Funny, smart, authentic. The #AngryJoe we’re seeing is exactly what he needs to be from now on. Take off the gloves and keep swingin’ until every last Republican is down for the count.
— Rachel Wolf 🦮🎶🎭🌊🇺🇸 (@iamrachelwolf) January 11, 2022
The nation’s 46th president had no problem attacking Donald Trump, although not by name, and called his efforts on January 6 an “attempted coup.”
President Biden hits at “forces in America … that attempted a coup.”
“They want chaos to rein. We want the people to rule … The battle for the soul of America is not over.” pic.twitter.com/I0Vau1v3MN
— The Recount (@therecount) January 11, 2022
To the GOP, “too many people voting in a democracy is a problem,” President Biden said, talking about how Republicans are “taking away options” as they create long lines to vote.
President Biden began with quotes from the Bible and sprinkled them throughout.
“Hate evil, love good, and establish justice at the gate,” President Biden said at the beginning of his speech, a passage from the Christian Bible.
“Jim Crow 2.0 is about two insidious things: voter suppression and election subversion,” he said, accusing Republicans of wanting “to turn the will of the voters into a mere suggestion.”
President Biden: “Jim Crow 2.0 is about two insidious things: voter suppression and election subversion.” https://t.co/RdYLvfum24 pic.twitter.com/UlYbfLPvlE
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 11, 2022
“The goal is to disenfranchise anyone who votes against them,” Biden said, calling it what we would see in “totalitarian states.”
“I’m tired of being quiet,” Biden said as his voice slowly grew louder and louder, as did the applause.
Biden even name-checked the late Sen. Strom Thurmond, a known white supremacist. President Biden repeatedly stated that “even Strom Thurmond supported voting rights,” off-script noting he had to work “damn hard” to get the segregationist’s vote.
“The US Senate should be able to protect voting rights with a simple majority.”
BREAKING: Pres. Biden calls for Senate vote on voting rights legislation: "Let the majority prevail. And if that bare minimum is blocked, we have no option but to change the Senate rules—including getting rid of the filibuster for this." https://t.co/Co8PqAsoZa pic.twitter.com/KN8OZxHiiy
— Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) January 11, 2022
“Today, I’m making it clear, to protect our democracy I support changing the Senate’s rules” in “whatever way” they need to be to “protect democracy.”
“I will defend democracy against all enemies – foreign, and yes, domestic.”

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |