(NewsNation) — In a first return to the national stage since leaving the White House, former President Joe Biden delivered a speech focusing on Social Security and a rebuke of the Trump administration.
A source familiar told NewsNation that Biden would focus on Social Security as a “sacred promise to those who receive it,” the remarks coming as the Trump administration looks to drastically change the government service and make cuts.
Biden did indeed hold that rhetoric and was critical of the Trump administration throughout his lengthy speech.
“Look what’s happening now: Fewer than 100 days, this new administration has made so much damage and so much destruction,” Biden said.
“It’s kind of breathtaking. They have taken a hatchet to social security administration, pushing out 7,000 employees out the door in that time, including the most seasoned officials…”
The former president was the keynote speaker at Tuesday’s national conference of Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled in Chicago. Biden has made a handful of public appearances, but this conference appearance was looked at his most outward-facing event since January.
The speech comes as the Democratic Party is looking for new party leaders amid debates about a generational divide in the party. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have held rallies that drew large crowds.
Some Democrats in Congress have reportedly not put faith in the former president as a current leader or voice for their party.
Most of the criticism coming from Democrats on the Trump administration’s actions on Social Security stems from the Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk’s comments, calling Social Security “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.”
“What the hell are they talking about?,” Biden said of Musk’s comments. “People earn these benefits, they paid into that benefit, they rely on that benefit, and no one, no one, no one, should take it away.”
