By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON, Associated Press
Former President Joe Biden called these “dark days” as he urged Americans to remain optimistic and not back down from what he said was an attack on free speech and a test of the limits of executive power by President Donald Trump.
“From its founding, America has served as a beacon for the most powerful idea ever to exist in government in the history of the world,” Biden said. “An idea is stronger than any army. We are stronger than any dictator.”
Biden, 82, is speaking publicly for the first time since undergoing radiation treatment. aggressive form of prostate canceraddressed an audience in Boston on Sunday evening after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.
He said America depends on a president with limited powers, a functioning Congress and an autonomous judiciary. As the federal government faced its second-longest shutdown in history, Trump took advantage of the funding gaps. as a way of exercising new command of the government.
“Friends, I can't sugarcoat any of this. These are dark days,” Biden said, before predicting that the country would “find its true compass again” and “become as we always have been – stronger, wiser, tougher, more just, as long as we keep the faith.”
Biden listed examples of people taking a stand against threats from the current administration, citing federal workers resigning in protest, as well as universities and comedians being attacked by Trump.
“Late night hosts continue to shine a light on free speech knowing their careers are on the line,” he said.
Biden also criticized Republican elected officials who vote or openly oppose the Trump administration.
“America is not a fairy tale,” he said. “For 250 years it has been a constant struggle, an existential struggle between danger and opportunity.”
He ended the speech by telling people to “stand back up.”
The Democrat left office in January after serving one term in the White House. Biden abandoned his bid for re-election after facing pressure following a disastrous debate against Trump and concerns about his age, health and mental health. Vice President Kamala Harris launched her bid immediately afterward but lost to Trump last November.
Biden's post-presidential office announced in May that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones.
Prostate cancer are assessed by aggressiveness using the so-called Gleason score. Scores range from 6 to 10, with prostate cancer scores 8, 9 and 10 being more aggressive. Biden's office said his score was 9.
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