The former President Biden talks about social security on April 15, 2025 at a conference with the disabled in Chicago. The remarks were his first in public since the office in January. (Image about C-Span Livestream)
Former President Joe Biden used his first public speech on Tuesday to criticize the current administration because he derived thousands of employees at social security administration, and to refute those who have questioned the relevance of the program.
“In less than 100 days, this new administration has caused so much damage and so much destruction. It is somehow breathtaking that it could happen soon,” said Biden. “During this time, you have transferred a hatchet to the social security authority and pushed 7,000 employees – 7,000 – at the door during this time, including the most experienced career officers.”
The social security management Announced at the beginning of this year It would reduce the staff from 57,000 to 50,000 employees and reduce the number of regional offices from 10 to four.
Biden asked the Republicans to preserve social security for future generations and argued during his 30-minute speech At the national conference of lawyers, advisors and representatives of the disabled in Chicago that people could rely on them in the wars, recessions and pandemic.
“Social insurance is more than just age bills. It is about honoring a fundamental trust between the government and people,” said Biden. “It is about peace of mind for those who work all their lives so that they can be sure that they will have the chance to win back what they deserve and what they deserve.”
Biden, who accepted the organization’s Beacon of Hope Award, said that the protection of social security and the federal employees who manage the program are about defending the core principles.
“Who are we? What distinguishes us from the rest of the world?” Asked biden. “In my opinion, fundamental American values ​​arrives – nobody king, nobody is the boss. Everyone has a shot.”
Biden criticized members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet about strenuous comments on the program. He noticed that the Minister of Commerce Howard Lutnick said that his mother -in -law would not complain if she had missed social security and that “the easiest way to find the fraudster, to stop and listen to payments because the one who screams is the one who steals.”
Biden also called a billionaire and director of us Dogy Service Elon Musk because he described social security as a “Ponzi program”.
“What are you talking about the hell?” Said biden. “People earn these advantages. They have paid in this advantage. They rely on this advantage.”
The white house promises to maintain the program
The Press spokesman for the White House, Karoline Leavitt, said during a briefing a few hours before Bidens talked that the Trump administration does not intend to reduce the social security services of the Americans.
“Let me make me very clear before the comments of the former president Biden: The president, President Trump, is absolutely certain that you protect the social security benefits for fidelity, tax -paid American citizens and seniors who have paid into this program,” she said. “He will always protect this program. He campaigned for it. He protected it during his first term.”
Leavitt also beat in Bidens and said that she did not expect him to give a speech during the evening.
“My first reaction when the former President Biden spoke tonight I was shocked that he spoke at night. I thought that his bedtime was much earlier than his speech tonight,” she said.
The 82 -year -old bidden, who lasted his re -election offer in a retirement against Trump (78) in the middle of concerns about his age and intellectual sharpness.
Administrator candidate for the goals of errors
For months, the Democrats have expressed concerns that personnel cuts in the social security administration have an impact on the ability of the Americans to quickly solve their questions to answer the program or their problems.
Candidate for social security commission officer Frank Bissignano During his hearing In March, if he was confirmed, he would try to “ensure that every beneficiary will receive his payments in good time, that claims for disability will be processed as it should be”.
Bisignano said he hoped that recipients attend an office, employ the website or speak to a real person after calling the number 1-800.
“On the phone I endeavor to reduce the waiting times and offer the beneficiaries a better experience. I’m waiting for more than 20 minutes to get an answer from yesterday,” said Bisignano. “I also believe that we can significantly improve the length of the disability process.”
Bissignano promised the legislator that he would reduce the 1% error rate for payments. He said he was “five decimal places too high”. And he repeatedly said that personally identifiable information is “protected”.
The Senate Finance Committee coordinated in party lines Bissignano’s nomination sent the ground at the beginning of April, but it has not yet been confirmed.
