In a speech marking both the conclusion of his re-election campaign and the beginning of the end of his more than five decades in politics, Joe Biden warned America that the fight for democracy was far from finished.
While he never said Donald Trump’s name aloud, his speech focusing on the accomplishments of his term and vows to keep fighting for his priorities was heavy on references to what he believes is the existential threat the Republican candidate poses to the country’s values.
“It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but in the defense of democracy, which is at stake I think, is more important than any title,” Biden said, and noted that when he took office, the country was recovering not just from the economic and health crisis caused by Covid-19, but also, “the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War”.
He then described America as at a turning point:
I’ve made it clear that I believe America is at an inflection point, one of those rare moments in history when the decisions we make now determine our fate of our nation and the world for decades to come.
America is going to have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, between unity and division. We have to decide, do we still believe in honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice and democracy. In this moment, we can see those we disagree with, not as enemies, but as fellow Americans. Can we do that? Does character in public life still matter?
In a tacit acknowledgment that he is not the man to win this election – something that polls warned was possible for months, and which became much clearer after his disastrous performance in the first debate with Trump – Biden said: “There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices, and that time and place is now.”
“History is in your hands,” Biden told the country, in the final minute of what may be his last address from the Oval Office.
Joe Biden’s extended family was in the Oval Office as he delivered the speech that marked the start of the final phase of his long political career.
The White House pool reporter covering the address saw first lady Jill Biden, his son Hunter Biden, his daughter Ashley Biden and granddaughters Finnegan Biden and Naomi Biden Neal in the room. Longtime advisor Mike Donilon and press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre were there, too.
While he was audible to those watching on the television, the pool reporter noticed that it was very hard to hear him in the room. After he finished speaking, Jill Biden stood next to him at the Resolute Desk, and the president said: “This has been the honor of a lifetime.”
In a speech marking both the conclusion of his re-election campaign and the beginning of the end of his more than five decades in politics, Joe Biden warned America that the fight for democracy was far from finished.
While he never said Donald Trump’s name aloud, his speech focusing on the accomplishments of his term and vows to keep fighting for his priorities was heavy on references to what he believes is the existential threat the Republican candidate poses to the country’s values.
“It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but in the defense of democracy, which is at stake I think, is more important than any title,” Biden said, and noted that when he took office, the country was recovering not just from the economic and health crisis caused by Covid-19, but also, “the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War”.
He then described America as at a turning point:
I’ve made it clear that I believe America is at an inflection point, one of those rare moments in history when the decisions we make now determine our fate of our nation and the world for decades to come.
America is going to have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, between unity and division. We have to decide, do we still believe in honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice and democracy. In this moment, we can see those we disagree with, not as enemies, but as fellow Americans. Can we do that? Does character in public life still matter?
In a tacit acknowledgment that he is not the man to win this election – something that polls warned was possible for months, and which became much clearer after his disastrous performance in the first debate with Trump – Biden said: “There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices, and that time and place is now.”
“History is in your hands,” Biden told the country, in the final minute of what may be his last address from the Oval Office.
In the final words of his speech, Biden reverted to familiar themes from his now concluded presidential campaign and thanked Americans for giving him the opportunity to serve.
Biden often talks about his childhood in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, but this time also mentioned his stutter, which has troubled his public speaking throughout his life.
“My fellow Americans, it has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years. Nowhere else on earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as president of the United States,” Biden said.
He concluded with these words:
Great thing about America is, here, kings and dictators do not rule. The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands. You just have to keep faith, keep the faith and remember who we are – we’re the United States America, and there is simply nothing, nothing beyond our capacity. We do it together.
So let’s act together, preserve our democracy. God bless you all. And may God protect our troops. Thank you.
As he closed his speech, which lasted for about 11 minutes, Joe Biden again alluded to the threat that he believes Donald Trump poses to America’s democracy.
Saying that the choice of president is “up to you, the American people”, the president referenced a comment made by founding father Benjamin Franklin to indicate that he believes the fate of the US system of government is on the line:
When Ben Franklin was asked, as he emerged from the convention going on, whether the founders have given America a monarchy or a Republic, Franklin’s response was: a republic, if you can keep it … whether we keep our republic, is now in your hands.
Joe Biden repeated his endorsement of Kamala Harris that he made right after ending his re-election campaign earlier this week, saying the vice-president is prepared to take his place.
“Now, in just a few months, the American people choose the course of America’s future,” the president said.
“I made my choice. I made my views known. I would like to thank our great vice-president, Kamala Harris. She’s experienced. She’s tough, she’s capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country. Now the choice is up to you, the American people.”
The president went to say that he will continue fighting for his priorities in his final six months in office, then made a bit of news: he wants to pursue reforms to the supreme court.
During Joe Biden’s term, the court’s six-member conservative supermajority has handed down decisions that he and his Democratic allies have strongly objected to. These include their 2022 ruling overturning Roe v Wade and allowing states to ban abortion and their decision a few weeks ago giving Donald Trump partial immunity from federal charges related to trying to overturn the 2020 election.
“I’m going to call for supreme court reform, because this is critical to our democracy,” Biden said.
Joe Biden said that though he believes he has done well enough to merit a second term as president, he will step aside to let another candidate lead.
“I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That’s the best way to unite our nation. You know, there is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices and that time and place is now,” the president said.
Moments earlier, he said:“I revere this office, but I love my country more.”
Biden began by noting he was sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office and referencing presidents past who have held the office.
“In this sacred space, I’m surrounded by portraits of extraordinary American presidents. Thomas Jefferson wrote the immortal words that guide this nation. George Washington showed us presidents are not kings. Abraham Lincoln, who implored us to reject malice, Franklin Roosevelt, who inspired us to reject fear. I revere this office, but I love my country more,” Biden said.
Joe Biden is now speaking from the Oval Office.
In a few minutes, Joe Biden is scheduled to begin delivering remarks on his decision to end his campaign for a second term.
The president will be speaking from the Oval Office and is expected to elaborate on the letter he released on Sunday that marked his exit from the presidential race. If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s Biden’s letter:
Follow along here for live updates from his speech.