WASHINGTON — As President Joe Biden prepares to vacate the White House, he reserved some noteworthy points for his farewell address delivered Wednesday evening. Rather than merely reflecting on his time in office, Biden leveraged the occasion to issue stark warnings concerning the future while advocating for significant changes to the nation’s constitutional structure.
With Biden’s presidency concluding on Monday and Donald Trump slated to return as president, a figure he has labeled an existential threat, the farewell address marked a notable moment in Biden’s over five-decade political journey.
In a similar vein to Dwight Eisenhower’s 1961 farewell remarks, Biden’s speech contained grave warnings for the American populace. The outgoing president articulated his concern over the emergence of an “oligarchy” within the nation, pointing out that power and wealth are becoming increasingly consolidated among a select few. He also critiqued the “tech industrial complex” and social media platforms for allowing misinformation to flourish, stating, “the truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit.” Biden emphasized the need for continued action on climate change, stressing that the country must not be coerced into compromising its future.
Biden’s tone was decidedly serious, aligning with his long-held reputation for optimism. However, in a striking demonstration of the misinformation he referenced during his speech, Trump’s new communications director and press secretary began making unfounded claims on social media, suggesting that Biden’s remarks were pre-recorded.
The president also took the opportunity to unveil one of his most ambitious ideas: a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at clarifying that no president is above the law for actions committed while in office. This proposal follows a landmark Supreme Court decision from the previous summer, which established broad immunity for former presidents regarding official acts performed during their terms. This ruling had significant implications for the legal proceedings against Trump concerning his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, leading to the dismissal of charges after Trump’s election win due to the immunity granted to sitting presidents.
Biden’s discomfort with this judicial interpretation centers on the concern that it could lead to a scenario where presidents operate with unchecked power. Besides addressing presidential accountability, he also called for increased taxes on billionaires, tighter regulations on campaign financing, 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices, and a prohibition on stock trading by Congress members.
As he approaches the end of his time in the White House, Biden has engaged in numerous events surrounding his departure. Earlier this week, he delivered a foreign policy address at the State Department and has participated in several interviews. He also established new national monuments, announced guidelines related to artificial intelligence, and disclosed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
In his final public appearance before the inauguration on Monday, Biden is scheduled to visit the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, a pivotal state in his previous campaign for the presidency and his successful quest for the Democratic nomination four years ago.
Biden elected to deliver his farewell speech from the Oval Office, recognized as one of the most symbolic presidential locations. He spoke from behind the Resolute desk, with family members, including First Lady Jill Biden, son Hunter, and his 4-year-old grandson Beau, in attendance.
Presidential farewell addresses vary in location; Barack Obama opted to deliver his message from his hometown of Chicago, while George W. Bush spoke from the East Room of the White House. Notably, Donald Trump refrained from conceding his election loss and released a pre-recorded address on January 19, 2021.
In a touching moment, Biden acknowledged Vice President Kamala Harris, who joined him in the Oval Office with her husband, Doug Emhoff. Harris took the prominent position on the Democratic ticket after Biden’s withdrawal from the race following a challenging debate. He expressed appreciation for her partnership, remarking that she and Emhoff had become like family, prompting Jill Biden to gently squeeze Harris’s hand during this heartfelt acknowledgment.
