Biden vows peaceful transition, warns of oligarchy in America
4 Min Read
According to the US president, in the last four years, the US democracy "held strong."
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US President Joe Biden speaks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington on January 10, 2025. (AP)
US President Joe Biden gave his last address to the nation a few days before President-elect Donald Trump took office.
In his farewell address, President Joe Biden's reminisced on a decades-long political career while also issuing a warning to the nation as he prepares to hand over authority to the president-elect.
Speaking from behind the Resolute desk, Biden expressed pride in his administration's accomplishments as the country recovered from the coronavirus outbreak and invested in infrastructure, climate change, and other initiatives.
Biden expressed that in the last four years, the US democracy "held strong, and every day, I've kept my commitment to be president for all Americans for one of the toughest periods in our nation's history," adding that "I've had a great partner, Vice President, Kamala Harris."
Biden went on to express his deep worry about the concentration of power in the hands of a few oligarchs.
"Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead," he stated.
The address comes only hours after a ceasefire was announced in Gaza and a foreign policy aim he's had for more than a year that became a reality days before leaving office.
He stated he was directly involved in the discussions and regarded them as some of the "toughest" of his career, but he was "deeply satisfied" with the outcome.
"يجب أن نعدل الدستور للتأكد من أنّ لا رئيس معصوم من ارتكاب الجرائم التي يرتكبها أثناء توليه المنصب"
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) January 16, 2025
الرئيس الأميركي المنتهية ولايته جو #بايدن يلقي خطابه الوداعي الأخير من المكتب البيضاوي في البيت الأبيض#الميادين pic.twitter.com/KMRUh6EDum
He emphasized the achievement and his collaboration with the incoming Trump administration to ensure its implementation.
"That's how it should be, working together," Biden remarked.
Biden has taken the time in recent weeks to talk more extensively about his foreign policy legacy and what he regards as some of his successes as he seeks to solidify his legacy.
He hailed how he "strengthened NATO," adding that "Ukraine is still free, and we’ve pulled ahead of our competition with China and so much more."
He also cautioned about the threats confronting the United States, such as the "existential threat of climate change," and urged "holding social media sites accountable in order to protect society."
Surveys demonstrate that Americans had varied feelings about his four years in government. According to a recent Gallup survey, 54% of respondents in the United States believe Biden would be remembered as a "below average" or "poor" president, 19% as "outstanding" or "above average," and 26% as "average."
Trump inauguration puts security officials on high alert in Washington
Washington is preparing for President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next week, with 30 miles (48 km) of tall black temporary fencing, 25,000 law enforcement officers, and security checkpoints designed to manage the flow of hundreds of thousands of spectators.
The swearing-in ceremony on Monday, held on the steps of the US Capitol, followed by a parade to the White House, will take place after a weekend filled with protests from Trump's opponents, as well as parties and rallies from his supporters.
The inauguration falls after a campaign marked by two assassination attempts on Trump, including one where a would-be assassin grazed his ear with a bullet, as well as two New Year's Day attacks targeting ordinary Americans.
In one incident, 14 people were killed and dozens more injured when a US Army veteran drove a truck into a crowd of New Year's Eve revelers in New Orleans. On the same day, an active-duty US Army soldier detonated a Tesla Cybertruck outside a Trump-branded hotel in Las Vegas, resulting in his death.
