Biden warned in his farewell speech about the “rise of an oligarchy” that threatens US democracy
The president Joe Biden urged Americans this Wednesday to remain vigilant against threats such as oligarchythe disinformation and the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI)during his farewell speech from the Oval Office of the White House.
In his message, the outgoing president highlighted the achievements of his administration, including the economic recovery after the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 and strengthening US international alliances. However, he warned of a number of dangers that he said could affect the country in the future.
Referring to Trump’s closeness with figures such as the businessman Elon Musk and other technology magnates, Biden assured that a “oligarchy in the United Statescharacterized by a “dangerous concentration of power”. According to the outgoing president, this accumulation of “extreme wealth, power and influence” represents a direct threat to the country’s democracy.
“Today, in the United States, an oligarchy of extreme wealth, power and influence is taking shape that literally threatens our democracy, our basic rights and fair opportunities for all,” he stated, while ensuring that the consequences of not controlling that power They could be devastating.
This emerging oligarchy – Biden warned – “directly threatens our democracy, fundamental rights and freedoms, and equal opportunities for everyone to advance.”
Another central theme of his speech was the need for a constitutional amendment to eliminate the legal immunity of sitting presidents.
“We cannot allow anyone, not even the president, to be above the lawBiden maintained, referring to the broad protections granted to Trump by the Supreme Court last year, related to attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Biden cited the former president Dwight Eisenhowerwho in his farewell speech in 1961 warned about the risks of the military-industrial complex. “I am equally concerned about the possible rise of an industrial-technological complex“said the Democrat.
The president also denounced the deterioration of the mediastating that Americans are “buried under an avalanche of misinformation and fake news”.
On the other hand, Biden expressed concern about Trump’s plans to reverse environmental protections and withdraw from a major international agreement on climate change.
According to the US president, “powerful forces seek to use their excessive influence to eliminate the measures we have taken against the climate crisis, for the benefit of their own power and profit.”
About the artificial intelligenceBiden warned that this technology, despite its potential benefits, could bring risks to the economy, security and society in general. He called it “the most transcendental technology of our time.”
“We must protect our nation’s fundamental democratic principles from threats of concentration of power in key economic and technological sectors,” he said.
Biden also took this opportunity, one of the last he will have to speak in public as president, to make balance of his management the last four years.
“We know it will take time to feel the true impact of all we have accomplished together, but the seeds are planted, and in time they will grow and bear fruit for decades.”, he stated.
Biden cited job creation, ceasefire agreement for Gazastrengthening NATO, catching up on competition with China and “much more.”
The president, who will hand over command to Trump next Monday, January 20, called on the American people to “be guardians” and “keep faith” in the country.
“I still believe in the idea why this nation exists, a nation where the strength of our institutions and the character of our people matter and must endure,” he said.
“Now it is your responsibility to be on call. May you all be the keepers of the flame. Let them keep the faith,” he said.
At the end of his speech, he invited citizens to reflect on the role that each one can play in defending democracy.
Biden, 81, said goodbye with this speech after serving a single term in the White House that will go down in history between the two terms of Donald Trump, whom he did not quote this Wednesday, but to whom he alluded at several points.
(With information from EFE and AFP)
