President Biden made history on Tuesday as the first sitting president to join a labor strike, showing his support for striking autoworkers in Michigan. Biden grabbed a bullhorn and addressed the crowd of workers outside a General Motors facility in Belleville, Michigan. He emphasized that while auto companies were doing well, the workers deserved to be doing just as well. Fist-bumping several members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, Biden declared that the middle class built the country and that unions built the middle class. He stated, "You deserve what you've earned, and you've earned a hell of a lot more than you get paid now."

The president's visit, which lasted approximately 15 minutes, came at the invitation of UAW President Shawn Fain. Biden's appearance was seen as an effort to solidify support in a key swing state and reinforce his image as a champion of the middle class. However, there were also political considerations at play, as his predecessor and likely 2024 rival, former President Donald Trump, was scheduled to visit a nearby county and address current and former union members.

During his speech, Biden briefly addressed the workers' demands, stating that they deserved a 40% pay raise. The White House had been hesitant to publicly state its support for the workers' demands, but Biden's statement made it clear where he stood. Automakers, on the other hand, expressed concerns about potential wage increases damaging their competitiveness as the industry transitions to electric vehicles. General Motors released a statement emphasizing their focus on bargaining in good faith with the UAW to reach an agreement that benefits the workforce and allows the company to succeed.

The Biden administration hopes that the president's visit will counter Trump's visit and earn him points with the UAW, which backed him in 2020 but has not yet endorsed him due to concerns about the administration's push for a transition to electric vehicles. Michigan is considered a critical state for Democrats in 2024, as it was one of Trump's surprising victories in 2016 but was carried by Biden in 2020.

Historically, presidents have been expected to maintain neutrality between striking workers and companies. Biden's support for the UAW and his visit to the picket line align with his long-held position as a pro-union and pro-labor politician. Some labor historians believe that Biden is returning Democrats to their roots as advocates for the working class.

Biden's visit to Michigan is part of a busy week for the president, including hosting a summit with Pacific island leaders, a three-day campaign sprint across the country, and meetings centered on science, technology, innovation policy, and the state of democracy in Arizona.

Overall, Biden's visit to the picket line in Michigan was seen as a significant moment in his presidency and his ongoing efforts to support the working class. While it may not directly impact the negotiations between the UAW and automakers, it has the potential to shift political support and legitimize the position of the striking workers.