Under Biden's observation, Trump's administration is characterized by 'gloomy times'
In a powerful speech at the National Bar Association's 100th annual gala in Chicago, former President Joe Biden issued a stern warning about the current state of American democracy. He emphasized that under the current leadership, there are efforts to dismantle the Constitution and attack the rule of law, a threat to American democracy that is serious and just beginning.
Biden stated, "This guy is doing his best to dismantle the Constitution," expressing deep earnestness about this threat. He expanded on this theme by describing the current administration as erasing progress made on fairness, equality, and justice, characterizing it as an existential threat to marginalized groups and civil rights gains achieved during his own presidency.
The former President framed this as a stark contrast to his administration's values and a major regression for U.S. democracy. His speech was met with concern by legal communities and civil rights advocates, as highlighted by his address at the National Bar Association, a historically Black legal organization.
Controversies surrounding the use of executive privilege, especially regarding congressional investigations into the January 6 Capitol attack, further illustrate Biden's concerns about attempts to undermine constitutional norms and accountability. Trump's unprecedented assertion of executive privilege as a former president complicated efforts by Congress to investigate his actions, highlighting tensions over constitutional checks and balances.
Biden's warnings were not limited to political discourse. He encouraged judges, lawyers, and the legal community to stand firm against unconstitutional actions, take on clients who need protection, sign onto briefs that may draw ire, and defend the ideas the country is founded on to protect institutions and fight for the soul of the nation.
In addition, Biden is working on a forthcoming book and has given only a handful of speeches since leaving the White House. He spends most of his time at his homes in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Despite his ongoing treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, Biden remains active in public discourse, using his platform to address issues of national importance.
In his speech, Biden did not mention Trump by name, instead referring to him as "this guy." Recently, two senior aides of former President Biden appeared for interviews before the House Oversight Committee as part of a Republican-led investigation into his cognitive decline and possible efforts to conceal it from the public.
The examples provided show that Biden’s warnings are grounded in specific concerns over the current administration's policies and actions that he views as undermining constitutional governance and civil rights. These concerns have been met with significant reactions from the legal and political communities.
Biden's speech at the National Bar Association's gala emphasized his concern about the current administration's policies and actions, particularly those related to politics, war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, as they threaten constitutional governance and civil rights. His warnings were also highlighted in discussions about the use of executive privilege, a topic firmly rooted in the realm of general news.