Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who lost her legs in combat during the Iraq War, called President Trump “coward in chief” and accused him of acting as a puppet to Vladimir Putin.
“As president, Joe Biden would never let tyrants manipulate him like a puppet,” Duckworth said, standing beside her wheelchair with the U.S. Capitol as the backdrop.
Duckworth was among lawmakers, former presidential candidates, and others who touted Biden as an antidote to Trump at the virtual Democratic National Convention.
“He would never pervert our military to stroke his own ego,” Duckworth said. “He would never turn his back on our troops or threaten them against Americans peacefully exercising their constitutional rights. Joe Biden would stand up for what’s right, stand tall for our troops, and stand strong against our enemies, because unlike Trump, Joe Biden has common decency.”
Duckworth recalled her difficult recovery following her injuries in Iraq, where she had been commanding an air assault unit.
She said Biden uniquely understands the burden on military families because his late son, Beau, deployed to Iraq in 2008 as a member of the Delaware National Guard.
“Joe knows the fear military families live because he’s felt that dread of never knowing if your deployed loved one is safe,” Duckworth said. “He understands their bravery because he has had to muster that same strength, every hour of every day. That’s the kind of leader our service members deserve, one who understands the risks they face and who would actually protect them by doing his job as commander in chief.”
