President Biden expressed his intention to remain involved in public affairs following his departure from the White House, addressing a congregation at a church in South Carolina on Sunday with the declaration, “I’m not going anywhere.”
On his final full day in office, he visited Charleston, South Carolina, where he delivered remarks at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church in observance of an early Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.
Regarding clemency, Biden took pride in having granted more commutations and individual pardons than “any other president in American history.” He also articulated his goal to “end the federal death penalty” by converting most sentences to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, although his actions faced significant backlash and criticism.
Biden noted that he commuted the sentences of individuals who were reportedly “serving disproportionately harsh and lengthy sentences for nonviolent drug offenses,” extending “mercy” to those who had completed their sentences or had served a considerable amount of time and demonstrated genuine remorse and rehabilitation.
“These decisions are challenging. Some have never been undertaken before, but based on my experience and conscience, I believe that reconciling justice and mercy requires our nation to witness and acknowledge the pain of others, to engage actively, and to transform suffering into purpose, ultimately guiding individuals and the nation toward redemption,” Biden stated, as reported by Fox News. “We recognize that the endeavor to redeem the soul of this nation is both difficult and ongoing.”
“This represents the boundary between danger and opportunity. However, faith teaches us that the America of our aspirations is always nearer than we perceive. This is the faith we must cling to for the future. We must maintain hope, remain engaged, and always believe in a brighter tomorrow,” Biden remarked.
He concluded with an unusual assertion: “I’m not going anywhere. I’m not joking… To the people of South Carolina, thank you for your steadfastness. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president.”
Biden subsequently appeared to respond to ongoing assertions regarding his mental decline, which have now been corroborated by various media outlets and sources.
“As I conclude this journey with you, my enthusiasm for our work remains as strong as it was when I was a 29-year-old newly elected official,” Biden remarked. “I am by no means fatigued.”
According to a report released late last week, those closest to Biden were aware of his struggles during his presidency. The New York Times, citing sources, indicated that his aides recognized he was not the same individual he had been a few years prior and endeavored to support him as effectively as possible.
“The individuals nearest to President Biden were acutely aware of his changes. He spoke more slowly than he had in previous years, required assistance to rise from his seat in the presidential limousine, and exhibited a hesitant walking style,” the report stated.
His longtime aide, Mike Donilon, reportedly informed the president in 2022 that his “most significant challenge is the perception of age.” Nevertheless, Biden disregarded this counsel and declared his intention to seek reelection the following year.
The Times reported that aides “acknowledged his physical frailty to a greater extent than they have publicly admitted. They collaborated, based on interviews with over two dozen aides, allies, lawmakers, and donors, to manage his decline.
“They adjusted meeting schedules to ensure Mr. Biden was in a more favorable mood—a strategy described by one individual close to him as a general approach for managing any president. At times, they postponed sharing information with him, including unfavorable polling data, as they deliberated on the best way to present it. They accompanied him with aides during his walk from the White House to the awaiting presidential helicopter on the South Lawn to prevent news cameras from capturing his unsteady movements,” the report concluded.
