Attacking Trump, Biden asks what if 'Black Americans had stormed the Capitol' on Jan. 6

In a rare joint appearance, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attempted to shore up support among Black voters by attacking former President Donald Trump's record on race at an event in Philadelphia Wednesday.

Speaking to supporters at Girard College, they launched "Black Voters for Biden-Harris," a campaign initiative aimed at energizing and mobilizing the voting bloc that was crucial to their election in 2020. Recent swing state polling shows the move may be necessary as support for the incumbent Democrat president is slipping among Black voters. On Wednesday, Biden reminded the crowd of Trump's past comments on race.

"What do you think he would've done on January 6th if Black Americans had stormed the Capitol? I don't think he'd be talking about pardons," Biden said. "This is the same guy that wanted to tear gas you as you peacefully protested George Floyd's murder. The same guy who still calls 'the Central Park Five' guilty, even though they are exonerated. He's that landlord who denies housing applications because of the color of your skin. He's that guy who won't say 'Black Lives Matter' and invokes neo-Nazi Third-Reich terms."

More:Democrats argue Biden and his record will help him win backing of Black voters

In one of his most aggressive attacks on the presumptive Republican nominee yet, Biden called Trump "clearly unhinged" and said "something literally snapped" in him after he lost in 2020.

"The threat that Trump poses in his second term is greater than his first," Biden said.

He continued his criticism of the 45th president, saying Trump peddles "lies and stereotypes." Biden compared Trump's record with his own priorities in office, touting his student loan debt forgiveness and investment in gun violence prevention.

"America has always been a place where we've worked toward a more perfect Union, where those who were excluded in the past are included in the promise in the country today. I still believe that. I'm still optimistic. But I need you," Biden said. "So, my question for you is simple — a simple one: Are you with me?"

Rachel Barber is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on politics and education. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, as @rachelbarber_