Biden pokes Putin, defends Afghanistan withdrawal in State Dept. address
USA TodayJan 17
Biden Says US is 'Winning' in Farewell Foreign Policy Address
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Above: US Pres. Joe Biden during a foreign policy address at the US State Department in Washington, DC on Jan. 13, 2025. Image copyright: Chris Kleponis/Contributor/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Facts
In a farewell foreign policy address at the State Department on Monday, US Pres. Joe Biden said that America was stronger globally than when he took over the reins in 2021.
"The United States is winning the worldwide competition compared to four years ago," Biden said, adding, "America is stronger. Our alliances are stronger, our adversaries and competitors are weaker."
Coming a week before Pres.-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House, Biden said his "administration is leaving the next administration with a very strong hand to play" and "an America with more friends and stronger alliances, whose adversaries are weaker and under pressure."
The Spin
Democratic narrative
While Biden's speech was mainly intended to tout his foreign policy achievements, he accurately underscored how his administration brought America back to form alliances with other nations following their severe deterioration under Trump's previous administration. If Trump took the time to listen to this speech, he should heed Biden's warnings and maintain this positive momentum.
Republican narrative
Biden's claim that America is stronger now than when he took office is far from reality. Despite his rose-colored glasses and friendly media coverage, he oversaw America's embarrassing withdrawal from Afghanistan, failed to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis in the Middle East, and despite pouring in billions of dollars to Ukraine, the country is on the back foot and continues to move backward. This speech is a work of fiction, which is what Biden will have to rely on to write a positive legacy for himself.
