Boston, MA – October 27, 2025 – In his first public appearance since completing intensive radiation treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, former President Joe Biden delivered a somber yet hopeful message to Americans, describing the current political climate under President Donald Trump as "dark days" marked by challenges to democratic institutions, free speech, and the constitutional balance of power.
Speaking on Sunday, October 26, at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston, the 82-year-old Democrat accepted the institute's Lifetime Achievement Award. The event, attended by lawmakers, civic leaders, and supporters, provided Biden a platform to reflect on the state of the nation nearly a year after leaving office and ten months after Trump's return to the White House following his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Biden, visibly frail but resolute, began his remarks by invoking America's foundational ideals. "Since its founding, America served as a beacon for the most powerful idea ever in government in the history of the world," he said. "The idea is stronger than any army. We’re more powerful than any dictator." He emphasized that the nation's strength lies not in military might or authoritarian control, but in the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution—limited executive authority, a co-equal Congress, and an independent judiciary.
The former president expressed grave concern over what he described as deliberate tests of those boundaries by the Trump administration. With the federal government enduring one of its longest shutdowns in history—now entering its third month—Biden accused President Trump of exploiting the funding lapse to consolidate unprecedented control over federal agencies and operations. "The country's foundation depends on a presidency with limited power, a functioning Congress, and an autonomous judiciary," Biden stated. "When one branch seeks to dominate the others, or when government itself grinds to a halt, the entire system is at risk."
The ongoing shutdown, triggered by disputes over border security funding, disaster relief, and reforms to federal entitlement programs, has furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal workers, halted non-essential services, and strained national parks, air travel safety, and food inspection programs. Critics, including Biden, argue that the administration has used the crisis to issue executive orders bypassing congressional approval, including directives on immigration enforcement and regulatory rollbacks that normally require legislative oversight.
"Friends, I can’t sugarcoat any of this. These are dark days," Biden declared, his voice steady despite the physical toll of his recent cancer treatment. Yet he pivoted quickly to optimism, predicting that the nation would "find our true compass again" and "emerge as we always have—stronger, wiser and more resilient, more just, so long as we keep the faith." He urged Americans to remain engaged in civic life, vote in upcoming midterm elections, and support institutions under pressure.
Biden highlighted acts of resistance as beacons of hope. He praised federal employees who have resigned in protest over policies they deem unethical or unconstitutional, including senior officials in the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice. He also commended universities resisting administration efforts to influence curriculum and research funding, as well as comedians and media figures targeted by legal threats or public denunciations from the White House for satirical content.
In a notable bipartisan gesture, Biden gave a "shout-out" to Republican officials who have crossed party lines to oppose certain administration initiatives. He specifically referenced Senator Mitt Romney of Utah and former Representative Liz Cheney, both vocal critics of Trump, for their votes against key judicial nominees and emergency funding measures tied to the shutdown. "Courage isn't partisan," Biden said. "It's American."
Concluding his 25-minute address, Biden framed the current struggles within the broader arc of U.S. history. "America is not a fairy tale," he said. "For 250 years, it’s been a constant push and pull, an existential struggle between peril and possibility." He called on citizens to "get back up" in the face of adversity, drawing parallels to past crises like the Civil War, the Great Depression, and the civil rights movement.
The speech marks Biden's most direct public critique of the Trump administration since endorsing Kamala Harris in July 2024. Biden withdrew from the presidential race that month following a widely criticized debate performance against Trump, amid mounting concerns from Democratic leaders about his age and stamina. At the time, polls showed Biden trailing significantly, and party insiders feared a broader electoral collapse.
Biden's health has been a focal point since his diagnosis was announced in May 2025. His post-presidential office revealed that he was suffering from prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones, classified as highly aggressive with a Gleason score of 9—the second-highest grade indicating rapid growth and poor prognosis. Biden, who turns 83 on November 20, underwent a rigorous course of radiation therapy combined with hormone treatments, completing the regimen earlier this month. Medical experts note that while such cancers are treatable, especially when caught early, the bone metastasis significantly complicates long-term outcomes.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded briefly to Biden's remarks during a Monday briefing, stating, "The President is focused on delivering results for the American people, including ending the shutdown on his terms that prioritize border security and fiscal responsibility." She dismissed characterizations of expanded executive actions as "routine crisis management" and accused Democrats of prolonging the impasse.
Political analysts view Biden's address as a potential rallying cry for the opposition ahead of the 2026 midterms, where control of Congress hangs in the balance. Democrats currently hold slim majorities in both chambers but face defensive battles in several key states. Public approval of President Trump hovers around 45%, according to recent Gallup polling, with the shutdown cited as a major drag on his ratings.
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute, named after the late Massachusetts senator known for his bipartisan legislative prowess, has hosted numerous high-profile figures. Biden's appearance underscores his enduring ties to the Kennedy family and his self-perception as a bridge-builder in an increasingly polarized era.
As the shutdown drags on, affecting everything from Social Security payments to national security briefings, Biden's words resonate with a growing segment of the populace anxious about institutional erosion. Whether his message of resilience galvanizes action or fades amid partisan gridlock remains to be seen. For now, the former president's return to the public stage serves as a stark reminder that the post-presidency can still wield influence in times of national uncertainty.
