Biden says 'democracy is at risk' ahead of US midterm elections

President calls out political lies, violence and election result deniers

US President Joe Biden gives a speech about increasing threats to US democracy and free elections at the Democratic National Committee's Columbus Club in Washington. EPA

President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on Americans to use their votes to protect democracy in a speech condemning anti-democratic threats at an event in Washington, less than one week before America heads into the midterm elections.

“In our bones, we know democracy is at risk,” he said. “We also know this: it's in our power, each and every one of us, to preserve our democracy. And I believe we will.”

Mr Biden's speech, which was a last-minute addition to his schedule, comes as the Republican Party appears to be gaining momentum before the November 8 vote.

Dozens of Republican candidates who deny that Mr Biden won the 2020 election are on ballots across the country, with many expected to take up influential positions that will involve overseeing future elections.

“I know there's a lot at stake in these midterm elections, from our economy, the safety of our streets, our personal freedoms, the future of health care, Social Security, Medicare - it's all important,” Mr Biden said.

“There's something else at stake: democracy itself.”

Political violence has also been growing in the US.

Last week, Paul Pelosi, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, was attacked in the couple's San Francisco home and the attacker said he wanted to break Ms Pelosi's kneecaps for the “lies” told by Democrats.

Authorities say he was driven by political “misinformation” and far-right conspiracy theories.

“Lies repeated over and over to generate a cycle of anger, hate vitriol and even violence,” Mr Biden said.

“We must, with one overwhelming unified voice, speak as a country and say there's no place — no place — for voter intimidation or political violence in America, whether it's directed at Democrats or Republicans.”

Republicans have been silent or else equivocated in condemning the assault on Mr Pelosi. Others have spread conspiracy theories about the attack.

Political violence grips America — in pictures

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  Donald Trump's claims of election fraud in 2020 fuelled the deadly Capitol attack. Reuters

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  Paul Pelosi, husband of US House Speaker Nancy, was attacked with a hammer in his San Francisco home. Reuters

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  San Francisco police officers and FBI agents gather in front of the Pelosi home after the attack. AFP

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  Suspected attacker David Depape in 2013. AP

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  The assailant had been searching for Ms Pelosi when he entered her residence. AFP

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  A police officer rolls out yellow tape near the Pelosi residence. AP

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  Police tape in front of the Pelosi home. AFP

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  Damage to the Pelosi home. Reuters

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  A mob of Trump supporters storm the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Reuters

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  Steve Scalise, a congressman, was shot at a baseball practice in 2017. AFP

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  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez uses campaign funds to pay for additional security. AFP

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  In July, she faulted the police response after she was harassed by a right-wing agitator. EPA

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  A man was arrested outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and charged with attempted murder in June. AP

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  Police outside Mr Kavanaugh's home after the Supreme Court ended the federal right to abortion. Reuters

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  US Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell watches a video of the January 6, 2021 attack. AFP

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  Police guard Mr Kavanaugh's home in Maryland. AFP

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  Nancy and Paul Pelosi arrive for the Time 100 Gala at Lincoln Centre in New York. AFP

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  The Pelosis in 2019. AP

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  Pope Francis meets the Pelosis at the Vatican in June. AFP

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  America has long grappled with political violence. President John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. AP

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  Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy moments before the president was shot in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. Reuters

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  Moments before the assassination. Reuters

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  Robert F Kennedy, JFK's brother, was assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968. AP

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  Police and Secret Service agents react during the assassination attempt on then US president Ronald Reagan in 1981. AFP

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  Mr Reagan is shoved into the president's limousine after being shot outside a Washington hotel. AP

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  Reagan was hit by one of six shots fired by John Hinckley (not pictured). AP

The federal government has warned police of a “heightened threat” around the elections, while in Arizona, armed vigilantes are watching ballot boxes, saying they are protecting “election integrity”.

Critics say they are trying to intimidate minorities from voting.

Across the country, Republican candidates are already hinting that they will challenge the results if they lose, seeding further distrust of the electoral process and system.

“Now extreme Maga [Make America Great Again] Republicans aim to question not only the legitimacy of past elections, but elections being held now and into the future,” Mr Biden said.

“The extreme Maga element of the Republican Party … driving force is trying to succeed where they failed in 2020 to suppress the right of voters and subvert the electoral system itself — that means denying your right to vote.”

Axios research estimates that at least 200 candidates who believe that the 2020 election was stolen from former president Donald Trump are running for office in the midterm elections.

This is not the first time Mr Biden has spoken on the topic: he called out Maga Republicans for destroying American democracy in an address from Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earlier this year.