'Document Leak' Biden Delivers Speech at Martin Luther King Church

Biden, First Sitting President to Visit
"Emphasizes Crisis and Protection of Democracy"
Moves Amid Classified Document Leak Controversy

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] "You must choose between democracy and dictatorship." U.S. President Joe Biden, embroiled in a confidential document leak controversy, reiterated his stance on the crisis and protection of democracy on the 15th (local time), ahead of Martin Luther King Day.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to the White House, President Biden made this speech on the day before Martin Luther King Day, which commemorates the birth of Black civil rights activist Reverend Martin Luther King, by visiting Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Ebenezer Baptist Church is a historic site where Reverend King served as pastor until his assassination in 1968. Local media such as CNN reported that this was the first time a sitting president gave a Sunday speech at this location.

At this event, President Biden defined the current moment as a "time of choice." He said, "Many things are in crisis, and it is a time to make choices," adding, "We must choose between democracy and dictatorship." He also pointed out that although democracy may be thought to be established as an institutional mechanism, this is not the case. He continued, "Will we choose love over hate?" and said, "This is the main question of our time and the reason I am here as president," expressing his determination to protect democracy. He also repeatedly emphasized that Reverend King's legacy is guiding us.

On this day, President Biden referred to Reverend King's 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech, saying, "What is the soul of America? It is that we all enjoy freedom and justice," and stated, "To make Reverend King's ideals possible, we must act and fight." He also defined this as a struggle between hope and fear, a fight between fairness and unfairness, and a war against extremist racism. Furthermore, he evaluated Reverend King's mission as much deeper, spiritual, and moral. The White House said President Biden is also scheduled to meet with Reverend King's family and civil rights organization officials in Atlanta.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

This speech came amid the expanding controversy over President Biden's alleged leak of confidential documents during his vice presidency. Following two previous document leaks, another confidential-marked document was found at the Wilmington, Delaware residence. As the scandal grew, Attorney General Merrick Garland on the 12th appointed Korean-American lawyer Robert Hur, a former prosecutor who served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General and U.S. Attorney for Maryland, as a special counsel to lead the investigation.

The Democratic Party expressed regret over the document leak incident but appeared to be trying to contain the spread by urging close monitoring of the investigation. Local media also evaluated that they seem to be trying to differentiate this case from former President Donald Trump's leak case. On the other hand, the Republican Party has been escalating criticism. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested a congressional investigation on Fox News that day, saying, "There will be a role for Congress regarding the confidential documents found in President Biden's personal space."