In a powerful final message to the American people, President Joe Biden has urged citizens to safeguard the “soul of America” as former president Donald Trump inches closer to resuming office for a second term. Biden’s emotional letter, published early Wednesday, marks a dramatic conclusion to his presidency and underscores the high-stakes moment as the nation confronts a deeply polarized future.
“I ran for president because I believed that the soul of America was at stake. The very nature of who we are was at stake. And that’s still the case,” Biden wrote, appealing directly to the American public to stand united as the country enters a new, uncertain chapter.
Biden’s letter, though carefully crafted and poised, has struck a chord as Trump, who has made repeated false claims about the 2020 election being stolen, is set to return to the White House. This marks a bitter turning point for Biden, who won the 2020 election with a promise to restore decency and unity to the American government. However, his tenure has been marked by contentious battles, both at home and abroad.
The president’s statement was subtly but undeniably a thinly veiled critique of Trump, although the Republican figurehead was never explicitly named. Biden’s message emphasized the risks posed by the actions of those who refuse to accept democratic processes, referencing the deadly Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, where supporters of Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to reverse Biden’s election victory.
“We’ve seen the consequences when we fail to protect our democracy,” Biden warned. “We’ve seen what can happen when we let fear, hatred, and lies guide us.”
This latest warning from the outgoing president is the culmination of a political saga that has deepened the ideological divide in America. As Biden exits the political stage, his successor, Kamala Harris, will face the daunting task of restoring stability. However, after a bitter election in November 2024, Trump decisively defeated Harris, setting the stage for a controversial second term.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Biden’s tenure was defined by landmark legislation, but also by relentless criticism, particularly from conservative quarters. His administration passed one of the most significant veterans’ benefits bills in American history and enacted groundbreaking climate laws, while also securing the first major gun safety reform in almost three decades. Yet Biden’s presidency was not without controversy.
His staunch support of Israel during the Gaza conflict, especially after the 2023 escalation, has drawn heavy scrutiny. In particular, the U.S. decision to send an additional $17.9 billion in military aid to Israel, amid ongoing violence in the Middle East, became a major point of contention for progressives and anti-war advocates.
Biden’s final days in office have also been overshadowed by his age and declining popularity. After announcing in 2023 that he would not run for a second term due to concerns about his advanced age, Biden has largely refrained from making public appearances. As he prepares to deliver his farewell address, which will air live from the White House, he is expected to reflect on both his accomplishments and challenges.
David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, described Biden’s final moments as president as bittersweet. “All Joe Biden wanted was to be remembered for the great things he did for this country,” said Axelrod. “Trump’s return to power is an unhappy coda to the story.”
The ‘Soul of America’ and the Future of Democracy
Biden’s reference to the “soul of America” is a phrase that has taken on a life of its own over the course of his presidency. His 2020 campaign, which focused on unity, truth, and restoring the “soul” of the nation, positioned him as the antidote to the divisiveness of Trump’s first term. But now, with Trump on the cusp of a second term, Biden’s words have gained a new urgency.
For many Democrats and liberals, Trump’s presidency represented a grave threat to the American political system. From his incendiary rhetoric to his disregard for norms of governance, Trump’s time in office sparked deep concerns over the future of American democracy. As Biden prepares to leave the White House, those fears are poised to resurface, amplified by Trump’s victory in the 2024 election.
“We stand at a crossroads,” Biden continued in his letter. “History will judge us on how we responded to these challenges. The power is in your hands.”
While Biden’s letter is a call to action, it is also a somber reflection on the state of a nation that remains deeply divided. As Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office, many Americans are grappling with a reality where truth, trust, and integrity have become secondary to partisanship and power struggles.
The Road Ahead: A Divided Nation
Trump’s expected return is not merely a political shift — it signals a deeper cultural and ideological transformation in the United States. The events of January 6, 2021, are still fresh in the public’s memory, a stark reminder of how fragile democracy can be. The narrative of a rigged election continues to resonate with millions of Americans, many of whom believe that the outcome of the 2020 election was unfair, despite multiple court rulings and investigations confirming Biden’s victory.
For his supporters, Trump represents a fierce protector of American values, unafraid to challenge the status quo and take on the elites. For his detractors, his return signals a potential slide into authoritarianism, where facts and truth become casualties in the quest for political dominance.
Biden’s farewell address, slated for 8 p.m. Wednesday, is expected to be a reflection of his entire presidency — the highs, the lows, and the moments that defined his leadership. He will likely focus on the challenges America faced, particularly the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the passage of significant economic and social legislation, and his administration’s stance on global issues like climate change and international relations.
However, it is clear that the specter of Trump’s return will cast a long shadow over the final moments of Biden’s presidency.
“We just have to keep the faith and remember who we are,” Biden concluded in his letter. “The idea of America lies in your hands.”
