In Farewell Address, Biden Touts Achievements, Warns of ‘Tech-Industrial Complex’

WASHINGTON—5 days earlier than leaving workplace, President Joe Biden delivered a dwell primetime farewell deal with to the nation, highlighting his accomplishments and warning of rising threats, together with oligarchs and a “tech-industrial advanced.”

His speech, delivered from the Oval Workplace on Wednesday night, not solely marked the top of his presidency but in addition the conclusion of his five-decade political profession.

“After 50 years of public service, I provide you with my phrase, I nonetheless imagine within the concept for which this nation stands, a nation the place the strengths of our establishments and the character of our individuals matter and should endure,” Biden stated earlier than ending his speech. “Now, it’s your flip to face guard.”

Biden’s political profession, which spanned a long time and included serving as a senator from Delaware and as vp below President Barack Obama, will come to an finish on Jan. 20 when he palms the reins to Republican President-elect Donald Trump.

“Up to now 4 years, our democracy has held sturdy, and every single day, I’ve saved my dedication to be president for all People by one of many hardest intervals in our nation’s historical past,” Biden stated.

Forward of Biden’s farewell speech, the White Home launched a truth sheet outlining his administration’s report, highlighting a protracted checklist of actions, beginning with the efforts to fight the pandemic.

“Thousands and thousands of People now have the dignity of labor. Thousands and thousands of entrepreneurs and corporations creating new companies and industries, hiring American employees, utilizing American merchandise,” Biden stated. “Collectively, we’ve launched a brand new period of American prospects.”

Biden acknowledged that though a constructive impression of his insurance policies and spending priorities will not be felt instantly, he believes they are going to produce lasting advantages within the years forward.

“You already know, it would take time to really feel the total impression of all we’ve finished collectively however the seeds are planted. They usually‘ll develop they usually’ll bloom for many years to come back,” he stated.

In his practically 17-minute speech, Biden didn’t point out his successor by identify however wished success to the incoming administration.

“I’m so pleased with how a lot we’ve achieved collectively for the American individuals. And I want the incoming administration success as a result of I need America to succeed,” Biden stated.

Biden Points Warning

Presidential farewell addresses are a longstanding custom in American politics, providing presidents a last likelihood to mirror on their time in workplace, checklist their accomplishments, and supply parting recommendation to the nation.

Biden’s farewell deal with adopted the identical sample.

“I wish to warn the nation of some issues that give me nice concern,” Biden stated.

“Right now, an oligarchy is taking form in America of utmost wealth, energy, and affect that actually threatens our whole democracy, our fundamental rights and freedoms, and a good shot for everybody to get forward.”

“The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced energy exists and can persist,” Eisenhower stated throughout his speech.

“Six a long time later, I’m equally involved concerning the potential rise of a tech-industrial advanced that might pose actual risks for our nation,” Biden stated.

“People are being buried below an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation, enabling the abuse of energy. The free press is crumbling. Errors are disappearing. Social media is giving up on fact-checking.”

Biden just lately expressed disapproval of Meta’s choice to eliminate its present social media fact-checking program, calling it “actually shameful.”

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg justified the choice final week in a video assertion by saying that fact-checking has change into “too politically biased,” leading to censorship and a lack of belief.

He additionally warned of risks of AI, saying that it’s essential for individuals to control this new know-how.

“Because the land of liberty, America, not China, should lead the world within the growth of AI,” Biden stated.

Biden additionally hinted in his speech at fees his Division of Justice made towards Trump.

“We have to amend the Structure to clarify that no president, no president, is immune from crimes that she or he commits whereas in workplace,” Biden stated.

This marked the president’s fifth and last deal with from the Oval Workplace since taking workplace.

The president final spoke from behind the Resolute Desk on July 24, when he addressed the nation to elucidate his choice to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.

Farewell addresses are a key alternative for presidents to form the narrative of their time in workplace, in accordance with Tom McArdle, former White Home speechwriter for President George W. Bush.

“Presidents use farewell addresses primarily to attempt to write historical past earlier than the historians do, they usually hardly ever succeed,” he instructed The Epoch Instances.

Their efforts typically fail as a result of the true measure of a presidency is formed extra by actions than phrases, McArdle stated.

It’s inevitably Biden’s efficiency that may outline his legacy, he stated.

The president’s farewell speech comes on the heels of a breakthrough within the Center East, as Israel and Hamas reached a deal for a hostage and prisoner swap, together with a six-week ceasefire, set to take impact on Jan. 19.

Earlier than he started his farewell speech, Biden took credit score for his work in brokering the deal within the Center East.

“After eight months of continuous negotiation by my administration, a cease-fire and hostage deal has been reached by Israel and Hamas,” Biden stated.

“This plan was developed and negotiated by my staff, and it will likely be largely applied by the incoming administration.”