President Joe Biden capped five decades in politics in a final address from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening.
In his valedictory address, Biden began by taking credit for the hostage deal signed hours earlier between Israel and Hamas. Over the course of the roughly 18-minute address, Biden touted his record on climate, health care, job creation, and foreign policy. He also took veiled shots at President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and others.
Unmentioned throughout his address were several major flashpoints of his term, such as the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the pardoning of his son, Hunter.
“After 50 years at the center of all of this, I know that believing in the idea of America means respecting the institutions that govern a free society: the presidency, the congress, the courts, a free and independent press,” Biden said.
The president’s…
