Biden vows peaceful transition of power to Trump, but warns that “an oligarchy is forming in the United States”
He wished Donald Trump’s administration success and vowed to achieve a peaceful transition, but warned against abuse of power.
“Today, an oligarchy of extreme wealth, power, and influence is taking shape in America,” Biden said.
share
Updated on 20.12 ET
main events
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Ending summary
In his final address to the nation, Joe Biden paid tribute to America’s liberal democracy and warned about its future.
In the speech:
Biden called for strengthening democratic institutions and separating powers.
The president claimed some credit for negotiating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
He touted his administration’s economic achievements post-pandemic.
In a particularly memorable moment, Biden argued that the United States could be heading toward an “oligarchy” and consolidation of power by the minority.
Unsurprisingly, Biden’s speech was praised by Democrats, who thanked him for his role in the post-pandemic recovery, while Republicans slammed the president.
See the full report for more information on this address.
share
Updated at 21.05 ET
In a lengthy eulogy, influential former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who played a role in forcing Biden to cancel his 2024 presidential campaign, thanked Biden for his work and provided a list of the president’s accomplishments. , wrote about the accomplishments of Biden and Kamala Harris in X. “It has earned its place in the pantheon of American democracy.”
share
In a tribute to X, Barack Obama thanked Biden for his “leadership, friendship and lifelong service to the country we love” and praised him for saving the economy after the pandemic. “At a time when our nation’s economy was in the doldrums, he drove what became the world’s strongest economic recovery, including 17 million new jobs, historic wage increases, and lower health care costs,” Obama wrote.
share
Some Republicans seized on Biden’s comments about fairness and democratic principles to renew criticism of the president’s son, Hunter. “He just mentioned the need to pay his ‘fair share’ of taxes. Is he true?” Did I pay $10,000 in taxes?” Congresswoman Nancy Mace wrote on social media.
share
Democrats praise, Republicans roll their eyes: Reactions to Biden speech
Congress’ reaction to Biden’s speech was not at all surprising. While Democrats praise the president, Republican lawmakers are praying for his removal.
“When @POTUS took office, our country was facing the worst pandemic in 100 years and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. But we turned it around!” Mark Congressman Pocan wrote on social media.
share
Updated at 20:42 ET
Biden’s farewell speech expresses gratitude and warning
In Biden’s farewell speech, the president thanked ordinary Americans and saluted the ideals of liberal democracy, but warned against concentrating power in the hands of a few. . He memorably warned against “oligarchy,” expressed serious concerns about the state of press freedom and accelerating climate change, and used his comments to urge Americans and the incoming administration to uphold the tenets of democracy. He concluded by appealing.
share
Updated at 20.31 ET
“It’s up to us to make our dreams come true,” Biden said, ending his comments by thanking military members, first responders, Kamala Harris and her family.
“You are the love of my life and the love of my life,” he said. “I still believe in the ideals of this country.”
“Now it’s your turn to stand guard,” he said.
share
Updated at 20:30 ET
Biden called for a constitutional amendment to “make clear that no president is immune from crimes committed while in office,” citing a Supreme Court ruling last year that guaranteed presidents broad immunity from prosecution. .
share
Updated at 20:30 ET
At the root of every topic Biden has touched on so far is the idea of democratic control and liberal democratic principles.
“We need to get to the dark money. It’s the money hidden behind too many campaign contributions. We need to get it out of politics,” he said.
share
Updated on 20.26 ET
During his speech, Biden called out fact-checking and misinformation, saying that “freedom of the press is collapsing.” “Social media is abandoning fact-checking.”
share
Biden spoke about the harms of climate change and warned about corporate efforts to roll back climate protections. “Powerful powers want to use their unchecked influence to eliminate the steps we have taken to address the climate crisis,” he said.
share
Biden vows peaceful transition of power to Trump, but warns that “an oligarchy is forming in the United States”
He wished Donald Trump’s administration success and vowed to achieve a peaceful transition, but warned against abuse of power.
“Today, an oligarchy of extreme wealth, power, and influence is taking shape in America,” Biden said.
share
Updated on 20.12 ET
“Together, we have ushered in a new era of American possibility,” Biden said, adding that poor economic conditions and inflation were inherited from the pandemic during Donald Trump’s first term, and his administration He claimed to have saved the
share
Biden calls for fair government for President Trump’s second term
Mr. Biden advocated protecting institutions, maintaining separation of powers and checks and balances.
He said the constitution “has preserved our democracy longer than any other nation in history.”
share
Updated on 20.08 EST
Biden then pivoted to a paean to America. “The Statue of Liberty is not standing still,” Biden said. “She’s on the march,” he said, referring to the idea of American liberal democracy. “The American idea, our institutions, our people, our values are always being tested.” said.
share
Biden begins his speech by taking credit for the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Joe Biden began his speech by praising the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“This plan was developed and negotiated by my team and will be primarily implemented by the next administration,” he said.
share
Updated on 20.03 EST
Joe Biden isn’t the only one trying to salvage his presidential legacy.
In an interview published this morning by The Washington Post, Jill Biden expressed concerns about public perception of her husband and expressed frustration with Biden’s critics within the Democratic Party, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. .
Asked if Biden could have ruled for another four years, she said, “Of course.”
share
Joe Biden’s farewell speech provides him with a chance to make a final claim to his legacy for the American people and comes at a time when polls for the president have been consistently low. According to a CNN poll released today, about 36% of adults say they believe Biden is doing a good job, and his favorability rating is nearly 33%.
share
Biden gives farewell speech in the Oval Office
President Joe Biden will speak from the White House and deliver his final address to the nation at 8pm ET. Biden set the tone for his speech in a letter released by the White House earlier today, in which he touted his record on the economy, cited the “danger” of the pandemic and subsequent economic disruption, and announced that he would be in office as president. He emphasized the challenges facing the United States. , and the Jan. 6 insurrection.
“I ran for president because I believed the soul of America was at stake. Our very essence was at stake, and it still is,” he said. wrote in a letter.
Biden last addressed the nation from the Oval Office in July, when he announced his decision to end his presidential campaign.
The speech came just hours after news broke that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after 15 months of bloodshed. The deal is expected to include the release of hostages in Gaza and Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli custody, and comes amid months of Mr. This came after repeated threats and pleas with the US government to change its behavior in Gaza.
The speech also came just five days before the inauguration of Donald Trump, who Biden has said is a threat to democracy.
share
