Biden's Stark Warning: Democracy Hangs in the Balance as Trump Looms for a Possible Rematch

President Joe Biden delivered a strong message on Thursday regarding the ongoing threats to US democracy, highlighting the core issue he may face in a potential rematch against Donald Trump. Biden accused Trump of attempting to undermine fundamental American institutions and warned of the dangerous rise of the MAGA movement, an extremist group that opposes the basic principles of our democracy. This statement was made during Biden's visit to Arizona, where he also paid tribute to the late Sen. John McCain.

He mentioned that it is undeniable that the present Republican Party is being influenced and coerced by the MAGA Republican extremists, referring to Trump's political movement. He further added that if their radical agenda is implemented, it would significantly transform the foundations of American democracy as we currently recognize them.

As indictments and arrests of the former president increased during the summer, Biden refrained from commenting on his predecessor's legal issues, to avoid any perception of interfering with the Justice Department's affairs. Biden's only substantial remark on Trump's various legal troubles was a sarcastic comment regarding his mugshot in the Fulton County, Georgia case.

However, as Trump maintains a significant lead in the Republican primary, and Biden's approval rating remains low, the president is now intensifying his attacks on his probable 2024 rival, portraying him as a threat to democracy. Allies of the president assert that Thursday's speech should be seen as yet another indication that the days of keeping Trump at a distance are now long behind.

Protecting democracy has been the primary motivation behind Joe Biden's decision to run for president in 2020, and it will remain at the heart of his reelection campaign, according to officials. By prioritizing this goal, Biden aims to inspire and engage voters and donors who have shown tepid enthusiasm for a rematch between him and his opponent. A senior White House official stated that safeguarding democracy continues to be the core focus of Joe Biden's presidency.

Senior advisers to President Biden had spent weeks considering when and where to deliver his speech on Thursday. In the past, Biden had chosen significant locations like Independence Hall and Gettysburg to emphasize the importance of American democracy.

After considering various historical sites along the East Coast, the advisers settled on Tempe, Arizona. This location was chosen partly as a tribute to the late Republican Sen. John McCain, who Biden had been close friends with for many years and affectionately referred to as a "brother." During the speech, Biden also announced plans to allocate funding for the construction of the McCain Library, which would serve as a tribute to his loyal friend.

Arizona played a significant role in Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. It is worth noting that in a subsequent election, voters in the state rejected candidates who denied these results. These events will be a prominent part of the president's upcoming speech, which aims to emphasize the Constitution's importance as the foundation of democracy, as well as the significance of separation of powers and checks and balances. A source familiar with the speech revealed that it will center on the significance of American institutions in safeguarding our democracy and the continuous need for loyalty to the US Constitution. A White House official stated this in anticipation of the speech.

They chose the day after the second Republican primary debate strategically to incorporate Biden into the news cycle that was largely focused on the GOP competition. Trump decided not to participate in the debate and instead delivered a speech in Michigan, aiming to diminish Biden's support among union workers.

This speech marks a time of political ambiguity for Biden, who is dealing with ongoing doubts about his age, criticism of his performance in his role, and accusations against his son, Hunter. On Thursday, House Republicans have scheduled their inaugural hearing for the impeachment investigation involving Biden.

Senior Democrats are confident that once voters view the 2024 election as a battle between Biden and Trump, the significance will become clearer and the current president's standing will strengthen.

During a fundraising retreat in Chicago, senior Biden advisors informed top donors about the plans for Thursday's speech. These donors have been advocating for more aggressive attacks on Trump during the early stages of the campaign. Biden has already given a preview of his address to donors in private meetings last week.

During his remarks, Biden delivered fresh warnings about the possibility of his predecessors making a comeback to the White House. This new material was being practiced off-camera while he and his team were preparing for his address on Thursday.

"There should be no doubt about it: Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are resolute in their mission to dismantle American democracy. I will consistently uphold, safeguard, and advocate for our democracy. That is precisely why I am running," he declared at a Broadway theater just last week.

Two days later, he reiterated his warnings to a gathering of lawyers, expressing confidence in his ability to secure another victory against Trump.

"I'm running for office once again. Why? Well, it's highly probable that I will face the same opponent, and I firmly believe that I can triumph over him once more," he declared.

Biden's allies believe that defending democracy continues to resonate strongly with voters, even almost three years after the 2020 election. To emphasize this point, his reelection video began by showing footage of the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, Biden delivered a powerful message at Philadelphia's Independence Hall, cautioning against the "MAGA forces" that previously attempted to invalidate the votes of 81 million people. Prior to the speech, Biden met with his communications staff, as well as a group of academics and historians, including Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham, who has been instrumental in crafting his most significant speeches.

The White House maintains contact with multiple historians for ongoing idea generation. However, it is uncertain whether Biden has organized a formal gathering to aid in drafting the speech. Nevertheless, Democrats assert that the message was effective. Both the administration and national Democrats have highlighted the outcome of the 2022 midterm elections as evidence that the president's emphasis on defending democracy resonated, as the anticipated "red wave" failed to materialize.

At a press conference, the day following the election last year, Biden expressed, "I believe it was a positive day for democracy."

After recent challenges to our democracy, he acknowledged, "The American people have spoken through their votes, reaffirming that democracy is inherent to our identity."

The White House is promoting Thursday's remarks as the president's fourth significant address on democracy. Last year, Biden addressed the issue to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, as well as before the midterm elections. During a speech to Democratic donors on Tuesday in Silicon Valley, Biden referenced Trump's actions during the insurrection attempt, which are currently the subject of numerous criminal indictments.

"He claimed that if you ever visit the Oval Office, he would personally guide you to the dining room where the previous individual spent countless hours."

By paying tribute to McCain in his address on Thursday, Biden aimed to evoke an era of unity between political parties in Washington that has diminished over time. This contrast is further emphasized by the ongoing disagreement over government funding, which seems inevitable in leading to a government shutdown by the week's end.

A White House official observed that Arizona has alternated between Democratic and Republican leadership.

"The official stated that President Biden will address his strong belief that we should not abandon the sacrifices made by generations of Americans to protect our democracy."

McCain's widow, Cindy, along with other members of the McCain family and Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, accompanied him during the speech. Despite this, Kyrsten Sinema, one of the state's senators, who had been a Democrat but left the party last year to become an independent, suggested that Biden should take the opportunity of his visit to Arizona to witness the conditions prevailing at the southern border.

"It is long overdue for President Biden to witness the border crisis firsthand and for the administration to fulfill its duty of securing the border and ensuring the safety of Arizona. While he is in Arizona, I urge him to visit the border and truly comprehend how our communities bear the consequences of his administration's failure to address this crisis," she stated.

McCain's passing had a profound impact on Biden for various reasons, one being the unfortunate similarity between McCain's cancer diagnosis and the loss of Biden's son, Beau. After paying his respects near the location where McCain's plane was shot down in Hanoi earlier this month, Biden expressed his longing for his former Senate colleague.

"He was a remarkable friend," remarked Biden during his eulogy for McCain in the summer of 2018. Biden eloquently portrayed his companion as someone who adhered to a timeless set of principles encompassing honor, courage, integrity, and duty."

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Jeremy Diamond contributed to this report.