(PLO)- President Joe Biden gave his first campaign speech since announcing his candidacy in April, criticizing the Republican Party and the policies of his predecessor.

On June 17, US President Joe Biden gave his first campaign speech since announcing his candidacy in April, criticizing the Republican Party and the policies of his predecessor, according to Reuters news agency .

The event was organized by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), a group of 60 unions representing more than 12.5 million American workers. The AFL-CIO endorses the re-election campaigns of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Speaking to about 2,000 supporters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mr. Biden said: “I told you when I ran for president (in 2020) that I would be with you and I did.”

US President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) on June 17. Photo: REUTERS

President Biden called his time in office a “mess” as the COVID-19 pandemic raged and allies lost confidence in Washington due to the “America First” foreign policy of his predecessor Donald Trump.

Mr. Biden said that during his two years in office, the US has seen increased employment and reduced inflation.

“Now we have NATO united again in a way that has never been seen before. It is a miracle,” he added.

“Now we have NATO united again in a way that has never been seen before. It is a miracle,” he added.

The leader criticized the trickle-down economic policies of previous governments that have cut taxes too much for the rich.

“All this policy has done is hollow out the middle class; inflate the deficit; ship jobs overseas; and strip away American dignity, pride, and hope,” he stressed.

He also criticized Republican policies to cut social security, calling on voters to support him to “get the job done.”

“Folks, let me finish this job. I truly believe this country is going to take off,” the president added.

Pennsylvania, where Biden recently launched his campaign, is a battleground state. In the 2020 election , the support of union voters helped Biden win Pennsylvania and two other battleground states, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Labor unions are expected to play a major role in the Democratic Party’s campaign for the