Chicago, IL – Former President Joe Biden delivered sharp criticism of the current administration’s policies during a speech at the National Bar Association’s event in Chicago on Thursday, highlighting concerns over the rule of law and civil rights protections.
Addressing approximately 1,100 members of the predominantly Black legal organization, Biden spoke for about 20 minutes without directly naming President Donald Trump, though his remarks clearly targeted the current administration’s actions.
“You can’t sugarcoat it. These are dark days,” Biden said, describing the current political climate as a threat to established democratic principles.
He accused the administration of undermining progress made during his tenure, stating, “My friends, we need to face the hard truth of this administration, and that it has been to ease all the gains we’ve made in my administration. To erase history rather than making it. To erase fairness, equality, to erase justice itself. And that’s not hyperbole. That’s a fact.”
Biden also expressed concern over specific policies, including the treatment of legal immigrants, noting, “immigrants who are in this country legally … getting dragged away in handcuffs.” He further criticized attacks on law firms and media organizations, as well as Congress for failing to act as a check on executive power.
The former president blended personal anecdotes with historical references, recalling his experiences growing up near the Black community in Wilmington, Delaware, and his work as a public defender following the 1968 riots. He also referenced the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, saying, “I didn’t just see the pain. I felt it,” and praised former President Lyndon Johnson for signing the Civil Rights Act.
Biden highlighted his administration’s achievements, including appointing more Black women to federal judicial positions than any previous president and selecting Kamala Harris as vice president. He also emphasized his support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which drew applause from the audience, including civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was honored at the event.
Emphasizing resilience, Biden concluded, “There’s been nothing in the course of our country’s history that we haven’t been able to accomplish. We’re the only nation in the world that has come out of every crisis stronger than when we went in.”
Biden — randomly shouting — claims President Trump is working to "erase" everything his administration did.
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 1, 2025
Correct. pic.twitter.com/FLHk4ZWn5T
The White House did not provide an immediate response to Biden’s remarks.
