The outgoing president of the United States, Joe Biden, offered a final goodbye to Americans from South Carolina, a state with which he has had a special relationship since his campaign in 2020.
Joe Biden spent his last full day as president Sunday in South Carolina, urging Americans to “keep faith in a better day to come” and reflecting on the impact of the civil rights movement on his decision to enter politics. .
On the eve of the inauguration of Republican Donald TrumpBiden bid a final farewell from a state that holds special significance after his commanding victory in the 2020 Democratic primary positioned him to achieve his lifelong goal of being elected president of the United States.
Biden spoke to the church congregation at Royal Missionary Baptist Church about why he entered public service — Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were his political heroes, he said — and thanked South Carolina for its support: “I owe them a lot.” Monday is the federal holiday honoring King, the slain civil rights leader.
“We know that the fight to redeem the soul of this nation is difficult and ongoing,” Biden proclaimed. “We must hold on to hope. We must remain committed. We must always keep faith in the better day to come.”
He added, “I'm not going anywhere” — and the congregation applauded.
Before service, while The Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip began to release Israeli hostages Under a ceasefire that the United States helped negotiate, Biden said that “the guns in Gaza have gone silent.” The agreement to stop the fighting between Israel and Hamas was one he had outlined in May.
“It is now up to the next administration to help implement this agreement. “I was pleased that our team spoke with one voice in recent days,” Biden said.
He noted that the three hostages freed Sunday “appear to be in good health” and offered some advice to Trump on how to maintain the agreement.
“Success will require persistence and continuing to support our friends in the region and a belief in diplomacy backed by deterrence,” Biden said.
After speaking about the ceasefire, Biden and first lady Jill Biden took their seats in the front pew of the church. At least several hundred congregants sang gospel songs, rising from their seats and swaying and clapping. A choir led the musical selections from behind the pulpit before the program later focused on King.
Biden was introduced by Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, a key ally who referred to the president as his “long-time friend.” Clyburn cited several presidents who were underestimated during their time in office but are now viewed more fondly as time passes. He added Biden to that list.
“So I want to tell you, good friend, that you have been shown very little appreciation recently, but do not faint. History will be very kind to you,” Clyburn said.
The Bidens will also visit the International African American Museum in South Carolina. It was built on a waterfront site where tens of thousands of enslaved Africans were brought to the United States from the late 1760s to 1808, according to the museum's website.
In 2020, Biden's campaign faltered after losing early contests in New Hampshire, Iowa and Nevada. But at the fourth stop, South Carolina — where black voters make up the majority of the Democratic electorate — was carried to victory after Clyburn's endorsement.
“I know Joe. We know Joe. But most importantly, Joe knows us,” Clyburn said at the time.
After winning the election and taking office, Biden made South Carolina the opening state of the Democratic Party's 2024 nominating process, instead of New Hampshire. He easily won the state primary that year.
“In 2020, it was South Carolina voters who proved the experts wrong, breathed new life into our campaign, and put us on the path to winning the presidency,” Biden said in a statement after winning the primary for the second time. . “Now in 2024, the people of South Carolina have spoken again and I have no doubt that they have put us on the path to winning the Presidency again — and making Donald Trump lose — again.”
It didn't turn out that way. After faltering in a debate against Trump, Biden withdrew from the race under pressure from many Democrats, although Clyburn was notably not among them.
Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced him as the Democratic nominee. She lost to Trump.
Clyburn recounted that Biden told him he wanted to visit the African American history museum, which Clyburn helped start. They were planning to spend some time together there.
“This is their way of saying 'thank you,'” Clyburn said.