NORTH CHARLESTON, South Carolina, USA (AP) — Joe Biden spent his last day as President of the United States in South Carolina, urging his fellow citizens to “keep the faith in a better day to come” and reflecting on the impact of the civil rights movement on his decision to enter politics.
On the eve of the Republican Donald Trump's inauguration, Biden bid a final farewell from a state that holds a special significance after his resounding victory in the 2020 Democratic primaries positioned him to achieve his lifelong goal of being elected president.
Biden spoke to the congregation of the Royal Missionary Baptist Church about why he entered public service - Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were his political heroes, he said - and thanked South Carolina for their support: "I owe them a lot."
On Monday is the federal holiday in honor of King, the slain civil rights leader.
"We know that the struggle to redeem the soul of this nation is difficult and ongoing," proclaimed Biden. "We must hold on to hope. We must remain committed. We must always keep faith in the better day that will come."
He added, "I'm not going anywhere" — and the congregation applauded.
Before the service, while the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip began to release Israeli hostages under a ceasefire that the United States helped negotiate, Biden expressed that "the weapons in Gaza have fallen silent." The agreement to stop the fighting between Israel and Hamas was one that he had outlined back in May.
"Now it is up to the next administration to help implement this agreement. I was pleased that our team spoke with one voice in the past few days," Biden stated.
He pointed out that the three hostages released on Sunday "seem to be in good health" and offered some advice to Trump on how to maintain the agreement.
"Success will require persistence and continuing to support our friends in the region, as well as belief in diplomacy backed by deterrence," Biden stated.
After discussing the ceasefire, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden took a seat in the front row of the church. At least several hundred congregants sang gospel songs, standing up from their seats and swaying and clapping. A choir led the musical selections from behind the pulpit before the program later focused on King.
Biden was introduced by Democratic representative Jim Clyburn, a key ally who referred to the president as his "longtime friend." Clyburn cited several presidents who were underestimated during their time in office but are now viewed more fondly over time. He added Biden to that list.
"So I want to tell you, dear friend, that recently you have been shown very little appreciation, but do not be discouraged. History will be very kind to you," Clyburn expressed.
The Bidens will also visit the International African American Museum in South Carolina. It was built on a waterfront site where tens of thousands of enslaved Africans were brought to the United States from the late 1760s until 1808, according to the museum's website.
In 2020, Biden's campaign faltered after losing the first contests in New Hampshire, Iowa, and Nevada. But in the fourth stop, South Carolina — where black voters make up the majority of the Democratic electorate — he was propelled to victory after Clyburn's endorsement.
"I know Joe. We know Joe. But most importantly, Joe knows us," Clyburn said at that moment.
After winning the election and assuming office, Biden made South Carolina the state to kick off the Democratic Party's nomination process for 2024, rather than New Hampshire. He easily won the state's primary that year.
"In 2020, it was the voters of South Carolina who showed that the experts were wrong, breathed new life into our campaign, and put us on the path to win the presidency," Biden said in a statement after winning the primary for the second time. "Now in 2024, the people of South Carolina have spoken again, and I have no doubt that they have put us on the path to win the Presidency again — and make Donald Trump lose — again."
It didn't turn out that way. After faltering in a debate against Trump, Biden dropped out of the race under pressure from many Democrats, although notably Clyburn was not among them.
Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced him as the Democratic nominee. She lost to Trump.
Clyburn reported that Biden told him he wanted to visit the African American history museum, which Clyburn helped start. They were planning to spend some time together there.
"This is their way of saying 'thank you'," Clyburn expressed.