He may not have declared that he is running for reelection, but President Joe Biden‘s trip to North Carolina looks and sounds like a campaign stop.
Officials say he will tout the $435 billion in private sector manufacturing commitments made since he took office, while warning voters that it is all at risk if MAGA Republicans in Congress repeal the Inflation Reduction Act and slash funding.
He arrived at Wolfspeed, an expanding semiconductor manufacturing plant in Durham, after urging Congress once again to pass gun reform as he left the White House in the morning.
The company announced in September plans to build a $5 billion manufacturing facility in Chatham County that is expected to create 1,800 jobs.
The visit is part of a three-week push involving other senior administration figures to spotlight legislation that has boosted the economy, contrasting Biden’s plan with that of Republicans as they tussle over budget priorities.
President Joe Biden will visit a semiconductor manufacturing plant in Durham, North Carolina, on Monday, using it as a chance to slam Republicans for their planned spending cuts
The budget tussle has given Biden ammunition to go on the attack after two years on defense
The Wolfspeed announcement came soon after the Biden administration steered the CHIPS Act through Congress, part of an effort to promote the domestic semiconductor industry and scientific research.
There is nothing unusual in Biden trumpeting his successes in office. But he has leaned into attacks on Republicans in recent weeks amid growing expectation that he is about to announce a reelection effort.
And during the next three weeks officials will be focusing on key swing states such as Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin … all starting with Biden’s trip to a state won narrowly by Trump in 2020.
‘While in North Carolina, President Biden will also highlight what’s at stake if MAGA Republicans in Congress get their way and repeal the Inflation Reduction Act and slash funding for manufacturing, research, and innovation to give tax breaks to the super wealthy. North Carolina – in addition to Arizona, Georgia, Ohio, and New York – is among the states that stand to lose the most private sector investment under MAGA Republicans’ reckless proposals,’ said a White House official.
Biden has said he intends to run for a second term but has yet to formally launch his reelection campaign.
It comes amid a concerted push to promote the administration’s work on the economy.
Vice President Kamala Harris, first lady Jill Biden and other senior officials will travel to 20 states during the next three weeks, according to the White House.
In recent weeks, White House messaging has gone bolder and more aggressive after two years of being on the defensive.
Rendering of Wolfspeed Silicon Carbide Materials manufacturing facility to be located in Chatham County North Carolina. Phase one construction is due to finish next year
Last year the Biden administration steered the CHIPS Act through Congress, which is designed to promote the domestic semiconductor industry and scientific research
Biden’s handling of the economy, amid record inflation, and a border security crisis have been used by Republicans to go on the attack.
Administration officials have now homed in on Republican demands to cut budget spending to illustrate what they say would be backward steps.
On the border, they say it would inevitably reduce the number of border patrol agents if the GOP is intent on maintaining money for defense and social security programs.
‘The MAGA plan would deny the men and women of Customs and Border Protection the resources they need to secure our borders,’ said White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt in a memo earlier this month.
‘It would mean less agents and less technology to combat fentanyl trafficking, disrupt criminal organizations, and stop illegal border crossings.’
Officials have repeatedly used the specter of extremist Reblicans — allies of Donald Trump such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene or the House Freedom Caucus — to paint the entire GOP as a far-right fringe.
On Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that with his visit Biden wanted to demonstrate ‘what’s at stake if MAGA Republicans in Congress get their way and repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, hike taxes on hardworking families and slash funding for manufacturing innovation and research.’
