Biden Reflects on Presidency: "Too Much Focus on Policy, Not Enough on Politics"

In a candid interview with MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, President Joe Biden reflected on his presidency as he prepares to leave office, admitting he spent too much time on policy and not enough on politics. The interview, aired Thursday, came a day after Biden delivered his farewell address to the nation.

O’Donnell asked Biden about his comments last month at the Brookings Institution, where he criticized himself for not signing the COVID-19 stimulus checks sent early in his administration.

Former President Trump had signed checks during his first term, a move Biden now sees as politically effective.

“It did cross my mind,” Biden said of signing the checks. “But the mistake we made—what I think I made—was not getting our allies to acknowledge that the Democrats did this. Ironically, I almost spent too much time on the policy, not enough on the politics.”

Biden elaborated, saying some Democratic senators failed to credit his administration’s work on significant initiatives, including the stimulus checks.

He admitted that while people should know who is responsible for such actions, he considers self-promotion distasteful. “Let people know who was responsible for this happening,” he said, adding, “But it just seems… almost bad taste.”

During his farewell address, Biden struck a somber tone, warning against the dangers of oligarchy and advocating for a constitutional amendment to prevent presidents from being immune to prosecution for crimes committed in office.

Speaking with O’Donnell, he emphasized his deep concern for the fragility of democracy in the United States.

“I really am concerned about how fragile democracy is. It sounds corny, but I mean it,” Biden said. “I think we’re at an inflection point in history.

There’s a presidency that says you have limited powers—you’re the top dog, but you can’t dictate everything. And it feels like they’re chipping away at those elements.”

Biden also shared that his farewell speech left him with a sense of “serious concern” rather than relief. “I think we’re at a moment where democracy needs to be defended more than ever,” he said.

The president is set to leave office on Monday when President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Biden initially launched a reelection bid but ended his campaign in July, citing concerns over his age and stamina.

He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who ultimately lost to Trump in November’s election.