Takeaways from Joe Biden’s State of the Union address

President Joe Biden is delivering his third State of the Union address, one that could be among the most important speeches he gives during his presidency as he turns toward reelection.

His list of objectives was long: Tout his accomplishments in office, look ahead to a second-term agenda, allay concerns about his age and fitness and provide a contrast with Republicans, including his rival Donald Trump.

Here are some early takeaways from Biden’s annual message to Congress, which will be updated throughout the speech:

Biden takes on Trump in most political State of the Union in years

Biden may not utter his predecessor’s name during his remarks, but there was little question that Trump was at the very center of the State of the Union, making Thursday’s speech one of the most politically tinged yearly addresses in recent memory.

The president took multiple swipes at Trump; his prepared remarks referenced “my predecessor” 13 times as Biden seized the bully pulpit, one of the advantages of incumbency.