Even as U.S. President Joe Biden sought to rally Americans at home and allies abroad against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Republicans and Democrats in Colorado remained deeply divided, with some GOP members blaming the president for Vladimir Putin’s war in Europe.

The president’s allies maintained that the Biden administration is meeting America’s domestic and international challenges head on.

But against the backdrop of war and destruction and fatigue emanating from battling a shapeshifting virus, Democrats’ remarks appeared restrained.  

“I stand with President Biden in defense of democracy and freedom at home and with our allies abroad. Colorado is doing its part to welcome refugees and strongly penalize Putin’s extreme aggression,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement.  

Polis, who said Colorado is prepared to welcome Ukrainian refugees, is seeking sanctions closer to home, notably by divesting from Russian-owned assets.  

“The president has been there for Colorado during our time of need and hardworking Coloradans know they can count on this president to have their back through challenging times,” Polis said, referring to Biden’s visit to Boulder in the aftermath of the Marshall fire, the most destructive fire in state history.

“President Biden’s poor foreign policy decisions have fueled the rise of the Taliban and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn said on Twitter.

“We need a leader, not a follower. #SOTUinCrisis,” he said.

Biden, who faces disquiet at home and danger abroad, delivered his first State of the Union address at a steeply challenging moment for the nation, aiming to navigate out of the pandemic, reboot his stalled domestic agenda and confront Russian aggression.

The White House had conceived Tuesday night’s speech as an opportunity to highlight the improving coronavirus outlook, rebrand Biden’s domestic policy priorities and show a path to lower costs for families grappling with soaring inflation. Instead, it has taken on new significance with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and nuclear saber-rattling by Putin.

Biden highlighted the bravery of Ukrainian defenders and the resolve of a newly reinvigorated Western alliance that has worked to rearm the Ukrainian military and cripple Russia’s economy through sanctions.

“Six days ago, Russia’s Vladimir Putin sought to shake the foundations of the free world, thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. But he badly miscalculated,” the president said. “He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead he met a wall of strength he never imagined. He met the Ukrainian people.”

He asked Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., who sat by first lady Jill Biden, to stand.

“We, the United States of America, stand with the Ukrainian people,” Biden told Markarova.

The president outlined the actions taken by America and other countries, notably sanctions meant to squeeze Russia’s economy, as well as lethal and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.  

“Putin has unleashed violence and chaos. But while he may make gains on the battlefield, he will pay a continuing high price over the long run,” he said. 

Turning to domestic affairs, Biden sought to portray America as a country that is finally returning to “more normal routines” after two years of enduring the COVID-19 pandemic. He touted the American American Rescue Plan and infrastructure spending, and asked Congress to approve a slew of legislation he said would help American families and strengthen the American economy.

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we will have safer roads, shorter commutes times, expanded broadband and better access to local businesses. Real. Tangible. Results,” U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, a Democrat, responded to Biden’s address on Twitter. 

“Biden to American small business owners: ‘Lower your costs, not your wages.’ How about you, (Biden), stop raising costs on businesses and families with your radical, socialist spending?” Buck said on Twitter.  

About 45 minutes before Biden was scheduled to start speaking, Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, no fan of the administration, said on Twitter she thought the president should step down if he wanted to upgrade the nation. 

“The best way to improve the State of the Union is for Biden to announce his resignation,” said Boebert, who introduced legislation to impeach Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in September. 

She later added: “Every word you heard from Joe Biden was a lie. We expected bad, but the (State of the Union) is worse than we ever could’ve imagined. Let’s take our country back in 2022 — donate today and help us ensure victory!”