Tag: Jill

Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden have departed the U.S. Capitol in one final grand exit after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.

Joe, 82, and Jill, 73, boarded the so-called “Nighthawk 46” helicopter shortly after 1 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 20, as they began their journey to Southern California after finishing their time in office.

Before Donald and Melania Trump gave the former first couple their final send-off, the Bidens gave a warm goodbye to former Vice President Kamala Harris and former second gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Biden’s final departure from the White House comes on the heels of his last Oval Office speech, delivered on Wednesday, Jan. 15, in which he warned about an ultra-wealthy “oligarchy” forming in the U.S. — without mentioning Trump by name.

“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden said, adding that there’s “a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a few ultra-wealthy people and the dangerous consequences if their abuse of power is left unchecked.”

“I’m equally concerned about the potential rise of a tech-industrial complex that could pose real dangers to our country as well,” Biden continued.

Also on Jan. 15, the former Delaware senator shared a letter reflecting on his administration’s record from his time in office, saying “we have the strongest economy in the world and have created a record 16.6 million new jobs.”

“Four years ago, we stood in a winter of peril and a winter of possibilities. We were in the grip of the worst pandemic in a century, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War,” he began the letter, per a White House press release, seemingly referring to Trump and the January 6 riots. “But we came together as Americans, and we braved through it. We emerged stronger, more prosperous, and more secure.”

“… History is in your hands,” he finished the letter. “The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands. We just have to keep the faith and remember who we are. We are the United States of America, and there is simply nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.”

Both Bidens attended Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20. Also in the audience were former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and their spouses, with the exception of Michelle Obama, who previously announced she would not attend the ceremony after also missing Jimmy Carter‘s funeral last week.

In one of his final interviews as president, Biden also reflected on his legacy to USA Today, telling the outlet that he believes he could have won his bid for reelection had he not dropped out and endorsed Vice President Harris amid mounting pressure, but conceded that his age might have played a role in not being able to serve another term.

“It’s presumptuous to say that, but I think yes,” Biden said, adding that he didn’t know if he would have had the energy to continue serving as president.

“So far, so good,” Biden added to USA Today. “But who knows what I’m going to be when I’m 86 years old?”

The outgoing president also spoke about how he met with Trump ahead of his inauguration, and he spoke about urging Trump to not go after political opponents.

“I tried to make clear that there was no need, and it was counterintuitive for his interest to go back and try to settle scores,” he said, clarifying that Trump didn’t say much in response. “He didn’t say, ‘No, I’m going to …’ You know. He didn’t reinforce it. He just basically listened.”

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“I hope that history says that I came in and I had a plan how to restore the economy and reestablish America’s leadership in the world,” Biden added. “That was my hope. I mean, you know, who knows? And I hope it records that I did it with honesty and integrity, that I said what was on my mind.”