Biden Calls Trump a 'Genuine Threat to Democracy' and Highlights Achievements Before Departure

President Joe Biden took a departing swipe at President-elect Donald Trump, labeling him a “genuine threat to democracy” in a press conference ahead of the anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Speaking to reporters in the East Room of the White House, Biden emphasized the importance of returning to democratic norms.

“We’ve got to get back to establishing basic democratic norms,” he said. “I think what [Trump] did was a genuine threat to democracy. I’m hopeful that we are beyond that.”

The comments came after Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act, a legislative milestone he described as the culmination of a four-year fight.

The act repeals two provisions — the Windfall Elimination Provision (1983) and the Government Pension Offset (1977) — which had reduced Social Security benefits for retirees receiving pensions from other sources, such as state or local government programs.

“This bill is about a simple proposition,” Biden said. “Americans who have worked hard all their lives to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity. That’s the entire purpose of the Social Security system crafted by Franklin Delano Roosevelt nearly 90 years ago.”

Biden also highlighted his administration’s achievement as the first in over two decades to expand Social Security benefits.

“This victory is the culmination of a four-year fight to provide security for workers who dedicate their lives to their communities, and I’m proud to have played a small part in this fight,” he stated.

The legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, with 327 members of the House and 76 Senators voting in favor. The bill impacts approximately 3 million retired firefighters, police officers, teachers, and other public sector workers.

Mick McHale, president of the National Association of Police Organizations, praised the move, noting, “For over 40 years, men and women in public safety have been penalized as a result of the pension system they belong to.”

In addition to celebrating legislative victories, Biden addressed the recent terrorist attack in New Orleans, where 14 people were killed and dozens injured on New Year’s Day. A 42-year-old man, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a rented pickup truck into pedestrians on Bourbon Street and later opened fire on police before being fatally shot. Biden announced plans to visit the city to meet with victims' families and local officials.

“I’ve been there. There’s nothing you can really say to somebody who has had such a tragic loss,” Biden said. “My message is going to be personal to them. They just have to hang on to each other, and there will come a day when they think of their loved one and smile before a tear comes to their eye.”

Biden dismissed speculation about a larger conspiracy behind the attack, confirming that it was an isolated act. “We established beyond any reasonable doubt that New Orleans was the work of a single man who acted alone,” he said.

Biden attributed the incident to mental health issues and compared it to other lone-wolf attacks, such as the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. He rejected claims linking the attack to foreign operatives, stating, “There is no evidence, zero evidence, that these are foreigners coming across the border.”

As Biden prepares to leave office, his remarks underscore both his administration’s accomplishments and his concerns about the threats facing American democracy.

His parting words serve as a call to action for the nation to uphold democratic values while addressing pressing challenges like public safety and economic security.