Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson formally announced his 2024 presidential campaign Wednesday with a series of criticisms of the Biden administration as he outlined his policy plans, saying he would «get the economy back on track» if elected.
“The Biden administration has turned its back on the American worker,” said the former Republican governor. «To turn our economy around, we have to stop the ‘break the bank’ federal spending that has led to high inflation and rising interest rates.»
“Every working American family takes a double whammy from the Biden economy,” he added. “Their paycheck doesn’t go as far, and they’re paying more for car loans and credit card debt because of high interest rates. That is not acceptable.»
Hutchinson called the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan in 2021 a «disastrous» move that «left our friends stranded and our allies confused.»
«The United States seemed weak and that weakness was seen as an opportunity for Russia to invade Ukraine and then for China to threaten and be aggressive with Taiwan,» Hutchinson said. “Let me assure you that as president, I will bring out the best in America. . . we will be with our allies and friends. We will not abandon our friends in times of need.»
Hutchinson argued that the Biden administration has not been tough enough on crime, accusing it of «a flagrant disrespect for human dignity and the rule of law.»
Although he did not appear to refer to former President Donald Trump, who announced his 2024 presidential bid late last year, Hutchinson appeared to avoid the isolationist approach Trump has taken to foreign policy.
“There are some who want the United States to disconnect from the world and isolate us,” he said. “Isolationism only leads to weakness, and weakness leads to war. Americans want peace, and the best way to ensure and preserve peace is to have the most prepared military in the world.»
Hutchinson also appeared to take aim at Republican Govs. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who is expected to bid for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race, and Greg Abbott of Texas.
“When I had pressure from Washington and the national media to shelter in place, I said ‘no,’” Hutchinson said, referring to the covid-19 restrictions, which DeSantis and Abbott also opposed. “And the result was that our businesses survived and we had more days of classroom instruction during the pandemic than almost any other state. Yes, that is correct. . . We beat Florida and Texas!”
Hutchinson, 72, left office in January after eight years as governor. He has become a vocal critic of Trump in recent months, decrying another Trump presidential nomination as a «worst case scenario» for Republicans that would likely benefit Biden’s chances of winning re-election next year.
Hutchinson has been a leading figure in Arkansas politics since the 1980s, when the state was predominantly Democratic. When he served in Congress, he acted as one of the House administrators prosecuting the impeachment case against President Bill Clinton.
Hutchinson also served in the administration of President George W. Bush as head of the Drug Enforcement Administration and assistant secretary for homeland security.
Throughout his speech, Hutchinson touted his leadership record and positioned himself as a Republican who «continued to fight the establishment.» He pointed to a moment when he helped an FBI hostage rescue team negotiate the surrender of an armed terrorist group, his support for law enforcement and his opposition to defunding it, and his commitment to ensuring the stability of Social Security. and Medicare.
Hutchinson told ABC’s «This Week» earlier this month that he would be running for president. Shortly after leaving office, he told NBC News that he was «absolutely» considering it.
Hutchinson enters a growing field for the Republican presidential nomination that includes Trump, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who served as US ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and conservative radio host Larry Elder.
fiona glison contributed.