Former US President Joe Biden has urged Americans not to disengage from democracy, warning that the nation faces “dark days” under President Donald Trump. For the first time since completing radiation therapy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, Biden spoke publicly to an audience in Boston on Sunday after receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.
“These Are Dark Days”
Biden, 82, said the country was witnessing “attacks on free speech” and tests of the limits of presidential power.
“My friends, I can’t gloss over any of this. These are dark days,” Biden said. He added that America has long stood for the idea of being “stronger than any army” and “more powerful than any dictator”.
He stressed the nation’s reliance on a “limited-power presidency, a functioning Congress and an autonomous judiciary,” systems he said are under pressure as the federal government faces a historic shutdown.
Stand up to the pressure
Biden praised Americans who are resisting pressure from the current administration, including civil servants and cultural voices.
“Late-night hosts continue to shine a light on free speech because they know their careers are at stake,” he said. He also noted Republican officials “voting or openly opposing the Trump administration.”
“America is not a fairy tale,” Biden said. “For 250 years it was a constant push and pull, an existential struggle between danger and possibility.”
A message of resilience
Despite the challenges he stated, Biden ended on a hopeful note.
“We will find our true compass again,” he told the crowd, predicting that the country “will emerge as it always has – stronger, wiser and more resilient, more just, if we keep the faith.” He concluded by calling on Americans to “stand up”.
Health concerns
The speech comes months after Biden dropped his bid for re-election amid concerns about his age, health and mental fitness. His office announced in May that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. His Gleason score was reported as 9, indicating highly aggressive disease.
Biden left office in January after serving one term. Then Vice President Kamala Harris launched a campaign to replace him, but ultimately lost to Trump in November.
