President Joe Biden shed a tear and shook House Speaker Mike Johnson's hand at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, saying lawmakers "must not be enemies."
"We have really tough, tough differences," Biden said, according to the Daily Mail. "We really go at one another. Remember, let's remember, who the hell we are."
The Democrat president and Republican speaker appeared in public together for the first time since Johnson replaced former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and amid a drawn-out battle in Congress over border security.
Sitting side by side in the front row, the ideological opponents were each seen wiping away a tear when renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sang "Amazing Grace."
During his speech, Biden offered prayers for the families of the three U.S. soldiers killed in the weekend drone attack, as well as for the Israeli hostages in Gaza and the Ukrainian people, the Mail reported.
He also had conciliatory words for the Republican and Democrat lawmakers in attendance.
"This is a calling to stand against hate," Biden reportedly said, pointing to animosity in both politics and throughout the world.
"We must not be enemies," he said. "I've long believed we have to look at each other, even on our most challenging times, not as enemies but as fellow Americans."
"My prayer, my hope is we continue to believe our best days are ahead of us as a nation," he continued. "We continue to believe in honesty, decency, dignity, and respect. We see each other not as enemies but as fellow human beings."
As the breakfast wrapped up, Biden extended his hand to Johnson and shook hands, according to the Mail.
The two men have reportedly talked by phone as they seek to craft a compromise on a plan to fund the federal government, provide more aid for Ukraine and secure the U.S.-Mexico border.
After Bocelli finished his final song, Biden ran over to the Italian singer to shake his hand.
In his remarks, Johnson told Bocelli he "had the front row in tears" with his performance.
According to the Mail, a number of lawmakers filmed Bocelli's performance on their cell phones.
The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event in which the president and elected officials come together for prayer.
Nicole Weatherholtz ✉
Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax general assignment reporter covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
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