WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden issued a series of warnings during his farewell address to the nation Wednesday night, while emphasizing the work still to be done as the octogenarian soon completes 50 years of public service.
Biden, in a statement from the Oval Office, emphasized what is at stake regarding the threat of climate change, artificial intelligence and “a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a few super-rich.”
“Today, an oligarchy of extreme wealth, power and influence is taking shape in America, threatening literally our entire democracy, our fundamental rights and freedoms, and giving everyone a fair chance to get ahead,” Biden said.
He expressed concerns about a “technical industrial complex” and noted that “Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation that enables abuses of power.”
“The free press is crumbling,” Biden said.
Without ever mentioning his successor, President-elect Donald Trump, Biden called for amending the Constitution “to make clear that no president — no president — is immune from crimes he or she commits while in office. “
The US Supreme Court decided in July that a president could enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for his official “core constitutional actions,” but no immunity for unofficial actions.
The decision resulted from proceedings against Trump for interfering with the federal election. These charges were dropped after his election victory.
Challenges during the semester
Biden, who faced a number of global and domestic challenges during his single term in the White House, is leaving the Oval Office with low approval ratings as Trump soon returns to power.
Biden withdrew his re-election bid in July after a catastrophic debate performance in June against Trump. The 82-year-old was repeatedly checked for his age and mental agility. He was also criticized for not abandoning the race sooner.
He passed the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic ticket. She lost to Trump in both the popular vote and the Electoral College.
“I wish the new administration success because I want America to succeed,” Biden said.
“That is why I have upheld my duty to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition of power and to ensure that we lead by the force of example,” he said.
Biden too was criticized in December for choosing to grant his son Hunter Biden an unconditional pardon for federal gun and tax crimes – a piercing reversal from his previous position on the matter.
Hunter Biden and his wife Melissa Cohen Biden sat in the Oval Office during the farewell address, along with Harris, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and first lady Jill Biden.
Taxes, hostage deal
Biden also called for an overhaul of the tax code “not by giving the biggest tax cuts to billionaires, but by making them pay their fair share.” Republicans, who have taken control of Congress and the White House, plan to to renew the tax cuts passed in Trump’s first term.
Biden called for an 18-year term limit and strict ethics reforms for the US Supreme Court.
During his time in Congress, he pushed for lawmakers to ban stock trading.
The outgoing president highlighted some of his key achievements during his time in office, including the ceasefire and hostage-taking deal between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday, ending the 15-month brutal war in Gaza.
Biden said the plan was developed and negotiated by his team and will be widely implemented by the next administration.
He also pointed to his massive infrastructure, climate and spotless energy initiatives that have characterized much of his presidency.
“Together, we have ushered in a new era of American opportunity, one of the greatest infrastructure modernizations in our entire history, from new roads, bridges, clean water to affordable high-speed internet for every American,” Biden said.
He also highlighted the nearly 17 million recent jobs created during his administration and pointed to the passage of the most comprehensive federal gun safety law in nearly 30 years.
The White House released a fact sheet detailing his administration’s record on Wednesday along with a letter from Biden.
Last updated on January 15, 2025 at 10:56 p.m
