Outgoing President Joe Biden earned widespread praise for his farewell address on Wednesday, with political commentators highlighting its resonant and symbolic themes. Former White House press secretary and MSNBC commentator Jen Psaki reflected on the speech Thursday, pointing to its powerful imagery and message of shared responsibility.
A particularly striking moment came early in Biden’s speech when he invoked the enduring symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. “Like America, the Statue of Liberty is not standing still,” Biden said. “Her foot literally steps forward atop a broken chain of human bondage. She’s on the march.
And she literally moves. She was built to sway back and forth to withstand the fury of stormy weather, to stand the test of time because storms are always coming. She sways a few inches, but she never falls into the current below.”
Psaki highlighted this metaphor as emblematic of Biden’s broader message. “Biden didn’t promise the American people that the government — the Supreme Court, Congress, the president — will protect them from the storm,” she wrote.
“Instead, he told the American people they’ll have to protect themselves.” Unlike a traditional farewell, where a president might pass the baton to their successor, Biden symbolically handed it to the American people.
The closing lines of Biden’s speech were particularly impactful. He urged Americans to take up the mantle of responsibility and remain vigilant in safeguarding the nation’s values and institutions. “It’s your turn to stand guard,” he said, emphasizing the collective role of citizens in navigating the challenges ahead.
Psaki noted that while Biden reaffirmed his commitment to a peaceful transition of power, he made it clear that enduring leadership would come from the people, not from those in positions of authority. His address was a call to action, a reminder that the strength of the nation lies in its citizens and their ability to uphold democratic principles.
“Biden’s final message to America was that we cannot count on these people to protect us,” Psaki concluded. “We have to protect ourselves, all of us, and the institutions that make America what it is.”
With his farewell address, Biden left Americans with a message of resilience and a charge to embrace their role in shaping the nation’s future, ensuring its enduring strength through unity and vigilance.