Biden Farewell Address
U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to give a farewell speech to the nation in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday evening (January 15th) US time, a few days before President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in next Monday and return to the White House.
On Wednesday morning, Biden published an open letter to the country’s people, saying that serving in public office for more than 50 years was the honor of his life.
“Nowhere else in the world could a stuttering child born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, one day become President of the United States and sit behind the Grit Desk in the Oval Office. I gave my heart and soul to our country. And what I received in return is the love and support of the American people,” outgoing President Biden said in the letter.
Biden also told the American people, “History is in your hands. Power is in your hands. The American ideal is in your hands. We just need to keep the faith and remember who we are. We are the United States of America, and as long as we work together, there is nothing we can’t do.”
Biden is expected to expound on his four-year achievements in his evening speech positively. In his letter, he listed a series of achievements, including a record 16.6 million new jobs, rising wages, continued decline in inflation, the lowest racial wealth gap in 20 years, the return of manufacturing, the leading position in the semiconductor industry, the reduction of the cost of prescription drugs for the elderly, the lowest violent crime rate in 50 years, and important laws on climate change and gun safety.
The White House also released a list of facts along with the letter, summarizing the four years of accomplishments that the Biden-Harris administration is proud of, including ending the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving what the Biden-Harris administration calls a “historic recovery.”
The fact sheet also mentions the passage of the American Rescue Plan to meet urgent community needs and lead to a strong recovery of jobs and world-leading economic performance. The fact sheet also highlights the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to “Invest in America,” including legislative achievements, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the CHIPS and SCIENCE Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Biden has also declared himself the most pro-union president in U.S. history and promoted a “Made in America” agenda.
The fact sheet also states: “From day one, President Biden has reinforced America’s core strategic advantages: reasserting American leadership on the world stage, implementing policies that have made the U.S. economy the strongest in the world, modernizing the U.S. military, and re-energizing America’s unrivaled network of alliances and partnerships.”
Biden, an 82-year-old Democrat, has only served one term as president. He withdrew from the reelection race last July after a disastrous debate with Republican rival Trump that sparked concerns about his age. His vice president, Kamala Harris, lost to Trump in the general election last November.
President Biden will speak at 8 p.m. ET, his last important opportunity to speak to Americans and the world as president, before he leaves office at noon on January 20.
Biden focused on his foreign policy legacy in a speech at the State Department on Monday.
In his State Department speech, Biden sought to put a positive spin on his foreign policy record, saying America’s adversaries are weaker than when he took office four years ago, even as some global crises remain unresolved.
Biden noted that, on current trends, China will never surpass the United States. He also praised his administration for supporting Ukraine against a Russian invasion and helping defend Israel.
VOA will broadcast President Biden’s farewell speech live with simultaneous interpretation. Please watch the special program at 7:50 p.m. EST on January 15.
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