WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden issued a series of warnings Wednesday night during his farewell address to the nation, while also emphasizing the work that remains to be done as the octogenarian soon completes 50 years of public service.
Biden, in remarks delivered from the Oval Office, emphasized the stakes of the threat of climate change, artificial intelligence and the “dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-rich people.”
“Today, an oligarchy of extreme wealth, power and influence is taking shape in America that literally threatens our entire democracy, our fundamental rights and freedoms, and a fair chance for everyone to make progress,” Biden said.
He echoed concerns about the “tech-industrial complex,” noting that “Americans are being inundated by an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation, enabling abuses of power.”
“The free press is falling apart,” Biden said.
Without once mentioning his successor, President-elect Donald Trump, Biden called for a constitutional amendment “to make clear that no president – no president – is immune from the crimes he commits while in office.”
United States Supreme Court ruled in July that the president can enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for his official “basic constitutional” acts, but cannot enjoy immunity for unofficial acts.
The decision stemmed from a federal election interference case against Trump. These charges were dropped after the election victory.
Challenges during the semester
Biden, who has faced many global and domestic challenges during his one term in the White House, is leaving the Oval Office low approval ratings when Trump regains power soon.
Biden withdrew his candidacy in July after: disastrous result of the debate in June against Trump. The 82-year-old has been criticized many times due to his age and mental capacity. He also faced criticism for not withdrawing from the race earlier.
He passed the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris to win the Democratic ticket. She lost to Trump in both the popular vote and the Electoral College.
“I wish the new administration success because I want America to succeed,” Biden said.
“I have therefore reiterated my obligation to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power so that we can lead by the strength of our example,” he said.
Biden too in December she faced criticism for his decision to grant an unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, for federal gun and tax crimes, a acute change from his previous stance on the matter.
Hunter Biden and his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, sat in the Oval Office for their farewell speech along with Harris, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and first lady Jill Biden.
Taxes, hostage deal
Biden also called for overhauling the tax code “not by giving billionaires the biggest tax cuts, but by making them pay their fair share.” Republicans, who have taken control of Congress and the White House, plan to renew tax cuts enacted during Trump’s first term.
Biden has called for limiting the terms of the U.S. Supreme Court to 18 years and the toughest possible ethics reforms.
While in Congress, he pushed for lawmakers to ban stock trading.
The outgoing president shed delicate on some of his most critical achievements while in office, including the ceasefire and hostage agreement reached Wednesday between Israel and Hamas that ends a brutal 15-month war in Gaza.
Biden said the plan was developed and negotiated by his team and will largely be implemented by the next administration.
He also pointed to his massive infrastructure, climate and neat energy initiatives that have largely defined his presidency.
“Together we have ushered in a new era of American opportunity, one of the greatest infrastructure upgrades in our history, with new roads, bridges, clean water, affordable high-speed Internet for every American,” Biden said.
He also highlighted that nearly 17 million novel jobs were created during his administration and he signed the most comprehensive federal gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years.
The White House released a fact sheet on Wednesday along with a letter from Biden detailing the history of his administration.
Last updated: 22:56, January 15, 2025
