Biden Holds First Speech Since Leaving White House: Criticizes Trump and DOGE

(Patria) - Former Democratic President Joe Biden delivered his first major speech since leaving the White House in January, defending the Social Security Administration (SSA) as President Donald Trump's administration reduces the agency's staff and closes some of its offices.

Biden's speech in Chicago to disability rights advocates marked a major re-emergence on the American political scene, while the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), run by billionaire Elon Musk, is making massive cuts to the federal workforce, Reuters reported.

Biden said the Trump administration has "taken aim" at the agency.

"This new administration has done so much damage and so much destruction," calling Social Security "more than a government program. It is a sacred promise we made as a nation. We know how important Social Security is to people's lives."

The SSA pays $1.4 trillion annually to 73 million elderly and disabled Americans. Trump repeatedly said during his election campaign that he would not touch Social Security benefits. DOGE team members have been at the agency since February, where management has promised to reduce staff by at least 7,000 and close offices, raising fears of longer queues, longer waiting times, and disruptions in benefit payments.

In March, a federal judge said the SSA likely violated privacy laws by giving Musk's aides "unlimited access" to the data of millions of Americans within the agency's networks and ordered a temporary halt to further data sharing.

"President Trump is absolutely certain to protect Social Security benefits for law-abiding, tax-paying American citizens and seniors who have paid into this program. He will always protect this program," said Karoline Leavitt, Trump's press secretary, before Biden's speech.

Many layoffs or resignations have occurred within the agency's IT department, and Biden referred to the recent increase in the number of agency computer system crashes. "People can't log into their accounts," Biden said.

"Who the hell do they think they are," he said of the Trump administration.

Some Democrats had doubts about Biden's speech, saying it might have been better for him not to re-engage in political battles.

Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist, said many Democrats are concerned that Biden's appearance will distract from the political and economic blow Trump is taking for starting a trade war with China and imposing tariffs on other countries.

"We are finally starting to see cracks in the armor in terms of Trump's policies," Finney said.

"You don't want to become a lightning rod that distracts from Trump. And that could make it easier for Trump to shift the topic to Biden."

Biden (82) dropped out of the race for re-election last July after a poor performance in a debate against Trump. Kamala Harris, his vice president, then lost the November election. Presidential historian Timothy Naftali said it was important for Biden to speak out about Social Security, precisely because of his age.

"I understand why some Democrats would want Biden to disappear," Naftali said.

"But a very important part of the Democratic base remains the elderly who receive Social Security, and Joe Biden has always been their advocate."