President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver his farewell address to the nation at 8 p.m. Wednesday from the Oval Office. This will be Biden’s fifth time speaking from this venerable office, marking his final formal speech before he hands over the presidency to President-elect Donald Trump. This address will occur just five days before the presidential transition.
In his previous Oval Office address six months ago, Biden shared his decision not to seek reelection, focusing on a momentous tenure marked by unprecedented challenges and significant achievements. During his presidency, Biden navigated the country through a severe pandemic, economic upheaval, and a direct assault on democratic values, efforts that he says unified and strengthened the nation.
“Four years ago, we stood in a winter of peril and a winter of possibilities,” Biden noted in his pre-address letter. He emphasized that despite the worst pandemic in a century and economic crises not seen since the Great Depression, “We emerged stronger, more prosperous, and more secure.”
Under his administration, the U.S. has created 16.6 million new jobs, significantly reduced inflation, and had the lowest racial wealth gap in two decades. Biden highlighted the revitalization of manufacturing, leadership in global science and technology, and substantial healthcare reforms, including reducing prescription drug costs and expanding health insurance coverage.
Furthermore, Biden pointed to legislative successes, such as significant veterans’ health and climate laws, and the first major gun safety law in nearly three decades. “Today, the violent crime rate is at a 50-year low,” Biden added, underscoring the safety improvements during his term.
Reflecting on his presidential campaign’s central message, Biden reiterated, “I ran for president because I believed that the soul of America was at stake.” He maintained this belief, praising America as an idea of equality and rights stronger than any force and broader than any ocean.
Concluding his letter, Biden expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve, describing his journey from a modest upbringing to becoming the president as the “privilege of my life.” He encouraged Americans to continue building on the progress achieved, ending with a call to unity: “We are the United States of America, and there is simply nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.”
By: Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire
