United States President Joe Biden warned on Wednesday that the “soul of America” remains at stake as he prepared to deliver his farewell address to the nation, marking the end of his single term in office before the return of Donald Trump.
The 82-year-old Democrat was set to give a primetime speech from the Oval Office of the White House at 8:00 pm (0100 GMT Thursday). The address was expected to highlight his administration’s achievements and reinforce the themes that shaped his presidency. Ahead of the speech, Biden issued a letter to the American people, delivering what appeared to be an implicit critique of his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.
“I ran for president because I believed that the soul of America was at stake. The very nature of who we are was at stake. And, that’s still the case,” Biden wrote in the letter.
“History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands. We just have to keep the faith and remember who we are,” he continued.
Biden reflected on the nation’s progress over the past four years, contrasting it with what he described as a “winter of peril” during Trump’s administration. He cited challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters attempting to overturn his election victory. Without mentioning Trump directly, Biden echoed previous speeches where he stated that the soul of the nation was imperiled by the former president and his allies.
Biden highlighted his administration’s accomplishments across a range of issues, including the economy, healthcare, and climate policy. He touted the United States as having the “strongest economy in the world” and pointed to progress in reducing inflation, despite lingering public frustration over high living costs.
He noted that the White House had released a detailed list of his administration’s achievements, reinforcing his legacy. However, his presidency was not without setbacks, including his controversial decision to seek a second term despite widespread concerns about his age. Ultimately, Biden was forced to withdraw from the race last June following a poor performance in a debate against Trump, who went on to secure a decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
Despite these challenges, Biden expressed pride in his career and gratitude for the opportunity to serve. “It has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years,” he said.
Biden’s farewell address comes just days after a foreign policy speech in which he argued that his administration had strengthened the United States’ global standing. The tradition of presidential farewell addresses dates back to George Washington, who issued his famous 1796 letter urging national unity as he declined a third term. The practice was revived in the 20th century with the advent of radio and television, with Harry Truman delivering the first televised Oval Office farewell in 1953.
