Closing summary
In his final address to the nation, Joe Biden delivered an ode to American liberal democracy and issued a warning about its future.
In the speech:
Biden called for the strengthening of democratic institutions and the separation of powers.
The president claimed some credit for the negotiated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
He touted his administration’s economic accomplishments in the wake of the pandemic.
In an especially striking moment, Biden argued that the US could be heading toward “oligarchy” and the consolidation of power by a few.
Unsurprisingly, Biden’s speech was lauded by Democrats, who thanked him for his role in post-pandemic recovery, while Republicans offered scathing denunciations of the president.
For more on the address, you can read our full report:
Updated
In a lengthy tribute, Nancy Pelosi, the powerful former House speaker who played a role in pushing Biden to end his 2024 presidential campaign, thanked him for his service and offered a list of the president’s accomplishments, writing on X that Biden and Kamala Harris had “earned their place in the pantheon of American democracy.”
