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President Biden vowed to remain in public life after his departure from the White House, telling a South Carolina church congregation on Sunday, “I’m not going anywhere.”
On his last full day in office, Biden traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, where he spoke at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate Martin Luther King Day early.
On the issue of clemency, Biden praised himself for issuing more commutations and individual pardons than “any other president in American history,” adding that he also aspired to “end the federal death penalty.” commuting most sentences to life in prison without parole. The president also said he commuted the sentences of individuals “serving disproportionately harsh, long and harsh sentences for non-violent drug offenses” and showed “mercy” for people who served time or served a significant amount of time and “have shown significant remorse and rehabilitation.”
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President Biden speaks during a church service at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
“These decisions are difficult. Some have never been made before, but in my experience, with my conscience, I believe that doing justice and mercy together requires as a nation to bear witness, to see people’s pain, not to look to the other side and do the work, move the pain to the purpose, show that we can get one person, one nation, to a day of redemption,” Biden said. “We know that the struggle to redeem the soul of this nation is difficult and ongoing.”
“This is the edge between danger and possibility. But faith, faith teaches us that the America of our dreams is always closer than we think. This is the faith we must cling to for Saturdays to come. We have to stay committed to a better day,” Biden said, adding, “I’m not going anywhere… People in South Carolinathank you for keeping the faith. It has been the honor of my life to be your president.”
President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Representative James Clyburn attend a service at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
“As I close this journey with you, I am as passionate about our work as I was as a 29-year-old boy when I was elected,” Biden added. “I am in no way tired.”
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Biden, who turned 82 in November, is due back in Washington, DC, on Monday opening ceremony of President-elect Trump.
After a disastrous performance against Trump over the summer, Biden suspended his re-election campaign amid serious concerns in the Democratic Party about his age and mental form.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve as your president,” President Biden told a congregation in North Charleston, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Vice President Kamala Harris headed the Democratic ticket instead of Biden and suffered a decisive defeat by Trump in November.
Biden was the oldest US president to be sworn in four years ago. Trump, 78, will eclipse that record by a few months on Monday.
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Sunday before Biden granted clemency to five additional people, including political activist and black nationalist Marcus Garvey.
