This nation is more divided than ever: Joe Biden in Chicago address

Former US President Joe Biden delivered his first major public address since leaving office in January. He spoke in Chicago on Tuesday, addressing a crowd of disability advocates.

“In fewer than 100 days, this new administration has done so much damage and so much destruction. It’s kind of breathtaking,” Biden said. Referring to Social Security, he added, “It’s a sacred promise we made as a nation. We know just how much Social Security matters to people’s lives.”

“We can’t go on like this as a divided nation, as divided as we are. As I said, I’ve been doing this a long time. It’s never been this divided. Granted, it’s roughly 30%, but it’s a 30% that has no heart,” he added.

Social Security supports 73 million disabled and elderly Americans and pays out approximately $1.4 trillion in benefits annually. Although Trump had vowed not to reduce benefits, his administration has started to reduce the Social Security Administration (SSA) by cutting staff and shutting down offices.

The department making these cuts is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by billionaire Elon Musk.

Biden accused the Trump administration of attacking the SSA. “This administration has taken a hatchet to the agency,” he said.

OFFICE CLOSURES AND JOB CUTS

According to reports, the DOGE crew has been working within the SSA since February. They plan to lay off a minimum of 7,000 employees and close numerous offices throughout the nation. These steps triggered fears of longer waiting times, delays in services, and possible interruption of benefits.

A new problem was added to these issues recently. In March, a federal judge held that the SSA might have broken privacy laws by giving Musk’s team access to millions of Americans’ personal data. The judge suspended further sharing of private records pending the ongoing legal case.

Meanwhile, within the SSA, several workers—particularly those working in the IT division—have been let go or resigned. The computer networks of the agency have crashed more often. Biden mentioned these crashes during his address.

“People can’t sign on to their accounts,” he said. “Who in the hell do they think they are?” he added, criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of the agency.

Despite the cuts and the controversy, Trump’s team insists that benefits will remain safe. “President Trump is absolutely certain about protecting Social Security benefits for law-abiding tax-paying American citizens and seniors who have paid into this program. He will always protect that program,” said Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s press secretary.

Earlier in the day, Leavitt took a shot at the former president’s age and fitness when asked about Biden’s appearance.

“I’m shocked that he is speaking at nighttime,” Leavitt said during Tuesday’s White House press briefing. “I thought his bedtime was much earlier than his speech tonight.”

Biden, now 82, chose not to run for re-election. His vice president, Kamala Harris, lost the election to Trump in November. Biden left office with a low 38% approval rating amid high inflation and questions about his mental wellness.

(With inputs from Reuters, AP)