U.S. President Joe Biden delivered sharp criticism of his predecessor, Donald Trump, on Monday evening, accusing him of “undermining democratic values” and “taking the United States several steps backward” during his term in office.

Speaking at a campaign event in Pennsylvania, Biden said, “The Trump administration was four years of chaos and division,” adding, “The American people cannot afford another term dominated by hate and fear.”

Biden emphasized that his administration has worked to “repair what Trump damaged,” especially in areas such as healthcare, the economy, and social justice. He stressed that the upcoming election is “a battle for the soul of America.”

Trump quickly responded on his platform “Truth Social,” saying that Biden “is failing on every front and trying to cover up his failures by attacking me,” asserting that he is “ready to restore a strong America once again.”

These remarks come as the presidential race intensifies between Biden and Trump, with the United States preparing for the 2024 election, which is expected to be one of the most polarized in the country’s history.