Biden doubles down against MAGA Republicans in bellicose 'soul of the nation' speech

Delivering his "soul of the nation" speech in Philadelphia on Thursday, President Joe Biden made a string of bellicose statements against the "MAGA Republicans" who support former President Donald Trump and believe that the 2020 presidential election outcome was influenced by election fraud.

"... There is no question that the Republican Party today is dominated, driven by, and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans. And that is a threat to this country," he said, per a C-SPAN transcript of the speech.

"MAGA Republicans do not respect the constitution," he continued. "They do not believe in the rule of law. They do not recognize the will of the people. They refuse to accept the results of a free election."

The president made numerous references to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. He then went on to assert that the movement sought to undermine both the legal framework of the country and the rights that framework provides.

"They promote authoritarian leaders and they fan the flames of political violence that are a threat to our personal rights, to the pursuit of justice, to the rule of law, to the very soul of this country," Biden said.

Last week, Biden earned Republican scorn for his comments likening the MAGA movement to what he called "semi-fascism."

"What we’re seeing now is the beginning or the death knell of an extreme MAGA philosophy," Biden said at the time. "It’s not just Trump, it’s the entire philosophy that underpins the – I’m going to say something, it’s like semi-fascism."

Republican leaders have called on Biden to apologize for his remarks.