The former vice president entered the race for the 2020 Democratic nomination last week and immediately staked his claim on front-runner status -- raising $6.3 million on his first day and unveiling the longest list of endorsements of any candidate yet.
He also went harder at Trump than other Democratic contenders who largely preferred to focus on their own visions and agendas. Biden lambasted Trump's handling of white supremacists' August 2017 rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, casting Trump's presidency as giving rise to white nationalism in the United States.
On Monday, Biden is likely to continue drawing a contrast with Trump -- though it could be implicit -- on white nationalism and violence.
Biden is expected to discuss Saturday's shooting at the Poway synagogue in California, an aide said. His rally is taking place just miles from Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue, where in October a white supremacist killed 11 worshippers.
But Biden's focus is expected to be on demonstrating his electability through appeals to the middle class and his focus on Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state where, in March 2018, he helped Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb win a special election in deep-red territory west of Pittsburgh.
Earlier on Monday, Trump -- provoked by Biden's comments about Charlottesville and Biden receiving the endorsement of the International Association of Fire Fighters union -- directed his ire at Biden.
"The Media (Fake News) is pushing Sleepy Joe hard. Funny, I'm only here because of Biden & Obama. They didn't do the job and now you have Trump, who is getting it done - big time!" Trump tweeted Monday morning.
He also complained about Biden receiving the firefighters' union's endorsement.
"I'll never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership, those people who rip-off their membership with ridiculously high dues, medical and other expenses while being paid a fortune. But the members love Trump. They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc. WIN!" Trump tweeted.
Twenty-three minutes later, after another tweet about "Sleepy Joe Biden" rallying in Pittsburgh, Trump added: "The Dues Sucking firefighters leadership will always support Democrats, even though the membership wants me. Some things never change!"
Early Monday afternoon, Biden responded on Twitter.
"I'm sick of this President badmouthing unions," he said. "Labor built the middle class in this country. Minimum wage, overtime pay, the 40-hour week: they exist for all of us because unions fought for those rights. We need a President who honors them and their work."
The fight goes to the heart of Biden's case for the Democratic nomination: He aims to build on former President Barack Obama's coalition by appealing to white working-class voters in states where Democrats saw their support slip away during Obama's tenure in office. Though the dynamics of the electoral map can always shift, Democrats could win back the presidency by holding onto the states Hillary Clinton won and rebuilding their "blue wall" in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Biden's first week on the campaign trail will also include a two-day swing through Iowa, with events planned for Tuesday in the eastern part of the state and Wednesday in central Iowa.
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