President Joe Biden suggested during a speech to union members that he would want them in his corner if the United States had to go to war with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Biden’s remarks came Wednesday during the North America’s Building Trades Unions Legislative Conference. The president, a longtime union ally, has held significantly fewer events touting local labor chapters following Russia’s invasion.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked Wednesday about Biden’s comments, which she claimed don’t indicate a U.S. policy change.
“He has no intention of sending troops to the ground or fighting a war between — with U.S. forces against Russia,” Psaki said during Wednesday’s press briefing. “That was a reflection of his long love for labor unions and members of labor unions and the building and trades workers who were there and people that he would always love to be in the foxhole with.”
The president opened his speech by claiming he wouldn’t have won the 2020 election without union support before pivoting into a sharp rebuke of the “atrocities” carried out by Russian forces in Ukraine.
The president opened by previewing his coming executive order blocking new investments in Russia and commended U.S. corporations for “stepping up for change” and pausing business inside Russia’s borders.
“If I got to go to war, I’m going with you guys. I mean it,” he added to thunderous applause from the union members in attendance. “You’re probably the biggest reason I’m standing here today.”
Biden has repeatedly said he does not want war with Russia, calling that scenario “World War III.” He has pledged no troops fighting Russian forces. The administration has even sought to avoid moves that would be seen as escalatory by Moscow.
“The reason there’s a middle class today is because of unions,” Biden continued. “That’s a fact.”
The remainder of the president’s speech reiterated past rhetoric concerning his economic principles, namely building the economy “from the bottom up and the middle out,” investing in conventional and social infrastructure, and creating thousands of “good-paying union jobs.”
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You can watch Biden’s remarks in full below.
