US President Joe Biden delivered his farewell address to the nation Wednesday night from the Oval Office, outlining his administration's accomplishments and reflecting on his five-decade journey in American politics.
The President began by addressing the hostage negotiations: "After eight months of non-stop negotiation by my administration, a ceasefire and hostage deal has been reached by Israel and Hamas, the elements of which I laid out in May. The plan was developed and negotiated by my team and will be largely implemented by the incoming administration. That's why I told my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed because that's how it should be, working together as Americans."
In his address, Biden extended well wishes to the incoming Trump administration while cautioning against an "oligarchic" threat to democratic institutions. Though he mentioned no specific names, his comments appeared to critique the consolidation of power among those wielding substantial economic influence.
Biden highlighted his administration's key accomplishments, including consistent employment growth, decreased pharmaceutical costs, and substantial investments in clean energy to address climate change. He characterized his early presidency as a battle to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, stating: "It's been the honor of my life to see the resilience of essential workers getting us through a once-in-a-century pandemic, the heroism of service members and first responders keeping us safe, the determination of advocates standing up for our rights and our freedoms."
The President underscored his administration's employment record, noting that 16.6 million new jobs were generated during his tenure, asserting this marked the first administration in American history to create jobs every month while in office.
Furthermore, Biden pointed to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas as another potential legacy achievement. He explained that while the incoming administration would implement a significant portion of the agreement, its anticipated activation this weekend would represent a crucial breakthrough in the ongoing conflict that has marked his presidency.
Biden reflected on his personal journey, from overcoming childhood stuttering and modest beginnings to serving in public office for five decades. "It's been the privilege of my life to serve our nation for over 50 years," he wrote on X. "I've given my heart and soul to you, and I've been blessed a million times in return with the love and support of the American people."
Former President Barack Obama responded to President Joe Biden's address with high praise: "Four years ago, in the middle of a pandemic, we needed a leader with the character to put politics aside and do what was right. That's what Joe Biden did." Obama emphasized Biden's role in driving the world's most robust economic recovery, generating 17 million new jobs, while also achieving wage increases, reduced healthcare costs, landmark infrastructure legislation, and meaningful climate action. "I'm grateful to Joe for his leadership, his friendship, and his lifetime of service to this country we love," Obama concluded.
