CHICAGO — Former President Joe Biden issued a stark warning on Tuesday, accusing President Donald Trump of significantly undermining Social Security. His remarks come as Biden momentarily steps back into the national spotlight at a critical juncture for many Americans.
Biden, who has chosen to maintain a low profile since his departure from the White House last January, delivered a speech at the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled’s national conference in Chicago. With Democrats nationwide sounding alarms about Social Security, Biden’s comments were part of what has been termed a Social Security Day of Action by his party.
“In less than 100 days, this new administration has caused immense harm and chaos. It’s truly astonishing,” Biden declared in a speech lasting almost 30 minutes. “They’ve effectively dismantled the Social Security Administration.”
This return to the public eye for Biden was no random occurrence. Democrats have been focusing on Trump’s contentious handling of a crucial government institution that supports over 70 million Americans, with Social Security anticipated to be a pivotal issue in upcoming midterm elections.
Addressing a crowd of roughly 200 attendees, Biden primarily adhered to his planned remarks but occasionally digressed, recounting his experiences growing up in a working-class background. He referred to Trump simply as “this guy.” Meanwhile, Trump continues to deflect blame for various national issues onto Biden, frequently criticizing him by name.
Conservative commentators promptly seized on Biden’s reference to the country’s political divisions, interpreting it as an assault on Trump supporters.
“We can’t continue as a divided nation,” Biden stated. “I’ve been around a long time. It’s never been this divided. It’s about 30%, but it’s a 30% with no compassion.”
Biden’s team did not immediately clarify his statements regarding the division.
Earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt poked fun at the former president’s age when reacting to his nighttime engagement.
“I’m surprised he’s delivering a speech after dusk,” Leavitt remarked during a White House briefing. “I assumed his bedtime to be earlier than tonight’s address.”
Leavitt further mentioned that Trump, now 78, intended to sign a directive that afternoon to prevent unauthorized immigrants and other ineligible parties from accessing Social Security benefits. The directive will enhance the Social Security Administration’s fraud examination initiatives across 50 U.S. attorney offices and incorporate Medicare and Medicaid fraud prosecution in 15 offices.
The Social Security Administration took to social media to refute Biden’s claim, stating, “Former President Joe Biden is misleading Americans.”
The Republican president’s actions concerning Social Security have sparked heated debate.
Upon re-entering the White House, Trump embarked on reducing the government workforce, including positions within the Social Security Administration. These moves included layoffs of 7,000 employees and plans for stricter identity verification measures. The SSA is also contending with a lawsuit over allowing Trump adviser Elon Musk access to individuals’ Social Security data.
Musk, an influential adviser and billionaire, has controversially described Social Security as “a major Ponzi scheme.”
Meanwhile, beneficiaries have raised concerns about extended wait times and increased portal outages, with some receiving erroneous notices about their benefits status.
In response, the agency labeled the notices as errors, and the White House assured that there would be no reductions in Social Security benefits, insisting that adjustments aim to curb inefficiencies and fraud.
“They’re striving to ruin it to exploit it,” Biden asserted, “all in the name of granting tax breaks to the wealthy and major corporations.”
Notable attendees included Michigan attorney Jason Turkish, leading a prominent disability law firm, who voiced concerns about Trump’s presidency generating unease among his clients over potential benefit reductions and operational changes.
“Traditionally, Social Security has been untouchable despite political shifts,” Turkish commented. Nonetheless, he noted that current Social Security officials appear open to reform, highlighting a retraction of a policy requiring personal identity verification at field offices, along with promising modernization efforts.
Biden’s appearance signifies a temporary return, without plans for frequent public exposure, as he transitions into post-presidential life. He retains an office in Washington but predominantly resides in Delaware. The Trump administration has since revoked his security clearances.
“This calls for unity, making President Biden’s contributions vital,” Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries stated ahead of Biden’s speech.
Despite potential to aid party initiatives through fundraising and advocacy, Biden enters this phase with persistently low approval ratings. Some progressives criticize his pursuit of a second term and blame him for his party’s setbacks, following Trump’s triumph over then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
According to a post-inauguration Gallup poll, only 39% of Americans had a favorable opinion of Biden, consistent with sentiment from just after the prior election.
While many Democrats welcomed Biden’s re-emergence, sentiment wasn’t unanimously positive.
“Biden’s best contribution now is stepping back from the public dialogue,” asserted activist Norman Solomon. “Despite its severity, this reflection is crucial for a figure whose legacy has already inflicted substantial damage on both the Democratic Party and the nation.”