Former President Biden’s First Major Speech After Leaving Office
Former President Biden addresses the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) conference in Chicago on April 15, 2025. — Reuters
- Biden criticizes personnel cuts at the Social Security Administration proposed by Trump.
- The ex-president returns to the political arena after his term ended.
- Certain Democrats express concerns regarding Biden’s return to politics.
On April 15, 2025, in his first significant address following his departure from the presidency in January, former President Joe Biden spoke at a conference in Chicago dedicated to disability advocacy. During his speech, he defended the Social Security Administration (SSA) against staffing reductions implemented by the Trump administration.
This address represents a significant re-entry for Biden into the political scene. Cuts instituted by President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency—managed by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk—threaten to majorly reduce the federal workforce.
Biden stated that the Trump administration has "taken a hatchet" to the SSA. He described Social Security as "more than just a government program," emphasizing its importance to millions of Americans.
"This is a sacred promise that we have made as a nation. Social Security is vital to people’s lives," Biden asserted.
The SSA provides $1.4 trillion in benefits each year to approximately 73 million elderly and disabled individuals. Despite repeated campaign vows from Trump to not alter these benefits, his administration’s actions are raising alarms.
Members of the Department of Government Efficiency began their takeover of the SSA in February, where plans to eliminate over 7,000 positions and close various offices have initiated fears about longer wait times and complications in benefit distributions.
In March, a federal judge ruled that the SSA likely breached privacy regulations by granting Musk’s aides unrestricted access to sensitive data about millions of Americans and issued a temporary ban on sharing further records. The case is still ongoing.
Before Biden’s speech, Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s press secretary, stated, "President Trump is fully committed to safeguarding Social Security benefits for law-abiding, tax-paying citizens and seniors who have contributed to this program. He will always defend it."
Numerous layoffs have occurred within the SSA’s IT departments, prompting Biden to mention a recent uptick in system crashes experienced by the agency.
"People are unable to access their accounts," Biden exclaimed, questioning the competence of the Trump administration.
Some members of the Democratic Party have voiced their apprehensions about Biden’s renewed political engagement, suggesting it might be more strategic for him to remain on the sidelines.
Democratic strategist Karen Finney expressed that many are worried Biden’s participation could overshadow the political and economic criticisms Trump is currently facing due to his trade war with China and tariff impositions.
"We are beginning to see vulnerabilities in Trump’s policies," Finney observed. "It’s crucial not to unwittingly become a distraction. This could provide Trump a chance to shift the conversation back to Biden."
At the age of 82, Biden stepped back from his reelection bid last July after a lackluster debate performance against Trump. His vice president, Kamala Harris, subsequently lost the election in November.
Biden departed office with one of the lowest approval ratings for any post-World War II president, standing at 38% according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, amidst challenges like inflation and doubts regarding his mental sharpness. Many Democrats attributed responsibility for Trump’s victory to him.
Presidential historian Timothy Naftali emphasized the significance of Biden speaking out about Social Security, particularly due to his age.
"I understand why some Democrats might prefer Biden to take a backseat," Naftali remarked. "However, a crucial part of the Democratic base is older individuals relying on Social Security, and Biden has always stood up for them."
