Trump claims Biden is bigger threat to democracy

Former President Trump claimed President Biden poses a grave risk to democracy, returning the criticism most often associated with the prospects of his own return to the White House in 2024.

“He’s been weaponizing government against his political opponents like a Third World political tyrant,” Trump said of Biden at a campaign event Saturday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “Biden and his radical left allies like to pose as standing up as allies of democracy.”

 “Joe Biden is not the defender of American democracy. Joe Biden is the destroyer of American democracy,” he added. “It’s him and his people. They’re the wreckers of the American dream. The American dream is dead with them in office.”

Trump currently faces 91 criminal charges in four separate indictments — two federal and two brought by states. He has frequently accused the Department of Justice and the Biden administration of targeting him, though no evidence has substantiated these allegations.

One of the federal cases, brought by independent special counsel Jack Smith, is related to the former president’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and keep himself in power.

Trump underscored the message that Biden poses a risk to democracy in a Truth Social post later Saturday night.

“One year from now, the American People are going to FIRE Crooked Joe Biden and the anti-Democratic Party in a political earthquake that will echo around the world!” he wrote.

The Biden campaign responded to these allegations in a statement, The Associated Press reported, pointing to the promises that Trump has made that he would prosecute Biden if he retakes the White House.

“Donald Trump’s America in 2025 is one where the government is his personal weapon to lock up his political enemies. You don’t have to take our word for it — Trump has admitted it himself,” a spokesperson for the Biden campaign said.

Trump currently leads the GOP primary in almost all national polls — by double-digit margins. 2024 presidential candidate and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has recently risen in the polls, challenging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the No. 2 spot in the GOP race. Still, GOP candidates have not been able to make a dent in Trump’s strong numbers.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.