Outgoing US President Joe Biden reflected on his tenure just two days ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20.
Biden shared the highlights of his presidency with a video message. “When I look back on the past four years, I don’t just see the challenges we faced. I see hope, progress, and possibility. “A picture is worth a thousand words, but these photos tell the story of an America that’s always moving forward – we must keep it going.” he said.
‘The Presidency in Photos’
Biden’s video included a montage titled “The Presidency in Photos” in which he can be heard talking about his tenure while images flash on the screen. Take a look at the 12 moments he chose as went on a trip down the memory lane:
‘Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed’
He recalled the moment Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as the Supreme Court justice, making her the first black woman to serve in the top court. “This is a woman who has incredible capacity and I stood there with her watching the Senate vote and I thought to myself she’s going to change things. It makes a difference and it sends a message to every young black woman in America I can do that I can do what she can do,” said Biden.
First day at oval office
Biden talked about the two things he believed he had to do just as he took office while taking a shot a Trump. He said, “I was determined that we had to do two things one was unite our allies around the world because the predecessor had just broken everything up and I wanted very much to figure out how I get in touch with all those world leaders all of whom I knew because they been around a long time. Could we bring back this solidarity with the United States and NATO and other parts of the world?”
For the second thought he said, “Second thought I had I was intent on changing the dynamic of the way we did our economy. Instead of trickle down economics- my dad you say nothing ever trickled down this kitchen table- I wanted to make sure Ordinary People had a shot. I was hoping that uh as we did that my dad be proud.”
‘Surprise trip to Ukraine’
Another memory Biden looked back on was the “surprise trip to Ukraine”. “I was determined to show up in Kyiv to let the world know we supported the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression,” said the president. Then recalling the actual travel he said, “We were on a multi- hour ride into Kyiv, we couldn’t fly in, we’re afraid to get shot down. We went in on a train it’s a long time getting in and the concern of the Secret Service was- they were going to know we’re here- somebody’s going to do something to take out the train but they didn’t. I thought it was a show of support support and resolve on the part of the United States of America. We are not leaving Ukraine to be ravaged by the Russians.”
Brent Spence Bridge visit
The Brent Spence Bridge was a major corridor connecting Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky. “The infrastructure law we passed the most comprehensive attempt to rebuild America in American history I want to make it clear it wasn’t just about Democrats getting benefited or blue States. I want to make sure everybody in America benefited from it because we’re all Americans,” he said. However, he talked about the anticipatory results adding, “I knew when we pass these major pieces of legislation they wouldn’t come to fruition from my first administration because it takes time to build these Bridges. It’s going to increase Commerce it’s going to increase economic growth it’s going to increase the ability of people people be with one another.”
Climate action event
Reflecting on the climate change threat, Biden, reflecting on another memory, talked about signing the bill which he wished wasn’t called the ” Inflation Reduction Act”. This federal law encompassed decreasing the federal government’s budget shortfall, making prescription medications more affordable, and boosting domestic energy production with an emphasis on clean energy solutions. Biden assured that when he “leave office shortly”, he will not be “walking away from this issue”.
Signing of the Pact Act
Biden also reflected on signing the Pact Act for the veterans. “Pact Act is all about taking care of veterans and it’s the most
significant thing we’ve done for veterans in a long long time,” he said talking about the challenges Americans soldiers face during deployment.
Holding a microchip in the Oval Office
Biden mentioned the Chips and Science Act, referred to development of tech with in-house manufacturing of microchips, that have “control of everything” and are size of his little finger. Further explaining, he said, “We had 40% of the market and then Corporate America decided as best to go to where cheapest labor was and I was determined to bring it back home we invented these chips so I got in a plane and flew to South Korea trying to convince Samsung that they should invest in chips in the United States and the end result is we got billions of dollars committed to build these chip factories here in America,” adding “thousands of people all across America are making serious money.”
‘Walking the line with union workers’
Biden talked about lending support to United Auto Workers (UAW). “When I walked to pick aliance to support the UAW, I wasn’t even thinking I was the first President I did that as a senator I did those things as a vice president it didn’t even dawn on me the president’s never done this before but I wanted to make it clear that the middle class built this country and unions built the middle class and it was critically important to me to demonstrate my support in this case for the UAW,” he said while calling himself the “most Pro Union president American”.
‘St Patrick‘s Day’
Biden briefly reflected on the significance of St Patrick’s Day, recalling the time he spent with cousion from Ireland. He also claimed the significance of the day saying, “it was a tie to the past with our roots- the roots of my family.”
‘Juneteenth Act signing’
The “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act,” designates Juneteenth National Independence Day as a legal public holiday, according to the White House. Juneteenth traces its origins to 1865, marking the historic moment when the United States Army proclaimed freedom for a quarter-million enslaved individuals in Texas, the final stronghold of slavery as the Civil War drew to its conclusion.
Talking about the significance of the day, he said, “Wanted to make sure that black Americans knew how they were being left out in history when the Emancipation Proclamation was passed. There’s a whole group of African-Americans in West Texas didn’t have any idea what happened. This is the day that made it known to them- celebrate the fact- celebrate the fact that this occurred. We all are created equal and deserve to be treated equally through throughout our lives. I wanted to make sure we knew that we were writing history, making sure we were not erasing it.”
‘Families of released detainees’
Biden referred to the historic prisoner exchange with Russia that involved 24 Americans held in Russia to be brought back to their homeland. He talked about the meeting with families and the joy he felt to bring their family members back home saying, “until you lose a part of your family you don’t really appreciate what it means.”
Meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Biden credited Germany’s Chancellor Scholz for the US-Russia swap. Scholz released a prisoner which ultimately led to the prison swap, according to Biden.
Inauguration day
Biden looked at January 20, 2021 when he was sworn-in as the United States president. “A lot of emotions that day,” he said a he recalled his family standing by his side, while mourning his son Beau.
