A Critical Discourse Analysis of Threats in Political discourse: The Case of Former U.S. President Joe Biden’s 2021 Inaugural Address

Abstract

In times of national crisis, political leaders often use language strategically to construct threats and foster unity, yet the mechanisms through which this is achieved in political discourse remain underexplored. This study aims to analyze how former U.S. President Joe Biden’s 2021 Inaugural Address constructs threat through language. Drawing on Norman Fairclough’s three-dimensional framework, the study analyzes the speech at textual, discursive, and social levels to uncover the linguistic and ideological strategies employed. Using a qualitative research method, the speech is treated as a primary data source and examined through close reading to identify patterns of meaning and rhetorical function.

        The findings reveal that emotionally charged language, historical references, and inclusive pronouns are used to heighten the sense of urgency, foster collective identity, and position unity as both a moral and practical necessity. Moreover, the speech critiques political polarization and misinformation as threats to democratic values, thereby framing leadership and empathy as essential tools for national recovery. This analysis highlights the instrumental role of political discourse in shaping public consciousness, constructing social realities, and mobilizing action during moments of upheaval.