Republican Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan lambasted President Joe Biden’s “semi-fascism” remark Monday on Fox Business.
Jordan said the president’s remark contradicted the promise he made to unify the country in his inauguration address. Biden called former President Donald Trump and the “MAGA Republican” philosophy “semi-fascism” during a Democratic fundraiser Thursday in Maryland.
“This is ridiculous,” the representative began. “I was there on inauguration day when during his speech when he said that we need to unify the country and we all agreed with that, frankly, and then what did he do? Two hours after that, he went to the Oval Office and signed 21 executive orders that divided the country, and here he goes again.”
“The disdain they have for conservatives, for Republicans, for President Trump supporters is wrong, and again, the country understands that,” he concluded. (RELATED: ‘Deplorable Moment’: Bush Official Says Biden Willing To ‘Say And Do Anything’ To Win Midterms)
The president’s comments angered several Republicans and conservatives, and received criticism from NBC Chief White House correspondent Peter Alexander, who said it contradicted the president’s pledge to be a unifier.
“But it also does become problematic because, you know, this is a guy who said he wants to be a unifier,” Alexander said Sunday.
Karl Rove, a former Bush-era White House deputy chief of staff, said Sunday that Biden attacked all Republicans, prompting a brief disagreement with Fox News political analyst Juan Williams. Williams argued the president clearly stated he did not address conservative Republicans while making the remark, a claim which Rove denied.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in the president’s defense Friday that the “MAGA Republicans” are attacking democracy by taking away voting rights and freedoms. She also claimed Biden’s remark did not disrespect those who voted for Trump in 2020.
The president pledged in his inaugural address to bring the country together and not view the country in terms of partisanship.
“I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but to unify,” Biden’s Twitter account read in November 2020. “Who doesn’t see red and blue states, but a United States. And who will work with all my heart to win the confidence of the whole people.” He similarly pledged unity in his inauguration speech.