Biden Flips “Lock Him Up” at New Hampshire Rally, Clarifies Call to “Politically” Lock Trump Out

President Joe Biden turned a popular chant from former President Donald Trump’s 2016 rallies on its head during a campaign event in New Hampshire on Tuesday, telling campaign workers, “We’ve got to lock him up,” before quickly adding, “politically.”

Biden’s comments came as he addressed the importance of the upcoming election, warning that democracy itself is on the ballot. He urged the workers to think about the consequences of a potential Trump victory in 2024, painting a dire picture of the country under a second Trump presidency.

Biden specifically referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, suggesting that Trump might interpret the decision as granting him nearly unchecked power. The president claimed that Trump believes the ruling allows him to “actually eliminate, physically eliminate – shoot, kill – someone who is, he believes, to be a threat to him.”

Biden’s dramatic assertion was followed by a self-aware remark: “If I said this five years ago, you’d lock me up.” He then quickly reiterated his earlier comment, clarifying, “We’ve got to lock him up. Politically lock him up. Lock him out. That’s what we have to do.”

A Gaffe or a Calculated Statement?

Biden, known for his occasional gaffes throughout his long political career, didn’t escape criticism for the remarks. A former Biden administration official texted Axios reporter Alex Thompson, jokingly suggesting, “We gotta lock Joe up.”

However, a current administration official downplayed the significance of the statement, saying that Biden’s words would likely fade from the news cycle quickly. “For better or worse, no one is listening to him anymore and his words have little power and less reach. It’s a blip. Gone in any meaningful way by mid-day tomorrow if it makes it that long,” the official told Thompson.

Trump’s “Lock Her Up” Chant

Biden’s quip was a clear reversal of Trump’s famous 2016 campaign chant, “Lock her up,” directed at his opponent, Hillary Clinton. The chant became a rallying cry among Trump supporters throughout the election, despite Trump’s recent insistence that he never used the phrase himself. In reality, Trump invoked the phrase at an October 2016 rally and repeated similar sentiments on the debate stage, stating, “Hillary Clinton has to go to jail, OK? She has to go to jail.”

Trump’s use of “Lock her up” was part of his broader attacks on Clinton over her handling of emails while serving as Secretary of State, an issue that fueled much of his base’s anger and distrust during the 2016 election.

The Stakes of 2024

As Biden seeks reelection, his comments in New Hampshire are a reflection of the growing tension between him and Trump, as both vie for the White House once again. The 2024 election is shaping up to be as contentious as 2016, with Biden framing Trump’s potential return to power as an existential threat to democracy.

By invoking the phrase “lock him up” and quickly clarifying that it should be done politically, Biden not only aimed to draw attention to what he views as Trump’s dangerous rhetoric but also to rally his base ahead of what promises to be a heated election cycle.