Biden defends defense legacy to US military
Fox Information correspondent Mark Meredith outlines on ‘Particular Report’ the clashing opinions of President Biden’s legacy because the president bids farewell to U.S. service members.
President Biden on Thursday thanked service members for his or her “power” and “integrity” whereas giving his farewell handle in Virginia.
“There’s by no means been a time in historical past after we’ve requested our army to take action many alternative issues so many locations, all on the identical time,” the president stated at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Corridor in Virginia. “And I wish to be clear: You’ve gotten finished all these missions with power and, perhaps even importantly, integrity.”
Biden’s handle to troops got here the morning after his farewell handle to the nation by which he stated it was his “nice honor” to function the forty sixth president.
It additionally comes 4 days earlier than President-elect Trump succeeds him.
WHILE TRUMP, BIDEN CLAIM CREDIT FOR ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE, SOME REPUBLICANS CALL IT A BAD DEAL
President Biden on Thursday thanked service members for his or her “power” and “integrity” whereas giving his farewell handle on the Division of Protection. (Bonnie Money/UPI/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos)
“You all symbolize what America is: character, honesty, integrity, dedication,” Biden instructed the troops. “You might be merely the best preventing pressure within the historical past of the world.”
The president stated the troops “rose to the event” when he requested for the warfare in Afghanistan to finish, “evacuating Individuals, allies and our Afghan companions, carrying out the biggest airlift in army historical past and ending a warfare. The identical braveness is outlined by American service in Afghanistan for over 20 years.”
He stated he believes “historical past will mirror that was the proper factor to do, however I do know, I do know, it was exhausting after many years of shedding your brothers and sisters, together with [throughout the] withdrawal. The ache was nonetheless actual. And it was for me as properly. Day by day I nonetheless carry, each single day.”
Biden has been criticized for his dealing with of the messy Afghanistan withdrawal, when 13 U.S. service members had been killed.
He added that six months after American troops withdrew from Afghanistan, “when Russia started its largest warfare in Europe since World Conflict II, I requested you to assist defend Ukraine. You did not hesitate. You saved Ukraine within the battle, skilled Ukrainian troopers and pilots, troops, bolstered NATO’s jap flank. And, above all, you confirmed the world America stands up for freedom, stands with our mates.”
BIDEN THANKS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR THE GREAT HONOR TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT DURING FAREWELL ADDRESS
Lloyd Austin, the secretary of protection, throughout a commander in chief farewell ceremony at Joint Base Myers-Henderson Corridor in Arlington, Va., Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Bonnie Money/UPI/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos)
He additionally touted the Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal, which was introduced Wednesday and first talked about in his farewell handle to the nation.
“The street to that deal was not straightforward,” he admitted, saying he “laid down the weather of that deal eight months in the past.”
President-elect Trump has additionally taken credit score for the cease-fire.
“This EPIC ceasefire settlement might have solely occurred on account of our Historic Victory in November, because it signaled to the whole World that my Administration would search Peace and negotiate offers to make sure the security of all Individuals, and our Allies,” Trump wrote on Reality Social Wednesday. “I’m thrilled American and Israeli hostages can be returning residence to be reunited with their households and family members.”
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at Biden’s commander in chief farewell celebration Thursday. (Bonnie Money/UPI/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos)
Biden additionally thanked army households who “sacrifice a lot” in his speech.
“Most Individuals by no means see the sacrifices that you just make each single day,” he continued. “Do not ever see all these holidays and birthdays with an empty seat on the dinner desk as a result of mother or dad was deployed. By no means see all of the strikes you needed to make to new states, to new faculties, to new jobs.”
He added close to the top of his speech, “You are really the best preventing pressure within the historical past of the world,” including that the American army has the perfect coaching, weapons, ships and planes.
“However that alone shouldn’t be what makes us robust,” he stated. “It’s our values. American values. Our dedication to honor, to integrity, to unity, to defending and defending. Not an individual or a celebration or a spot, however an thought.”
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Earlier than Biden’s speech, Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin and Air Drive Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers, thanked Biden for his service in their very own remarks, which had been a part of the commander in chief farewell tribute to the president.
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