Former US President Joe Biden used his first speech since leaving office to criticise the Trump administration’s welfare policies. At a conference in Chicago on Tuesday, the 15th of April, he said the government had “taken a hatchet” to a social security system that Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who is leading the White House’s efforts to cut costs, say has been overtaken by fraud, reports the British broadcaster BBC.
The administration is trying to cut staff at the agency, which pays out 1.4 trillion dollars in benefits annually. Trump repeatedly promised during his election campaign that social benefits would not be affected.
“In less than 100 days, this new administration has caused so much damage and destruction. It’s breathtaking,” Biden said without mentioning Trump, calling the social security system “more than a government programme”.
“It’s a sacred promise that we made as a nation. We know how important Social Security is in people’s lives.”
Biden, who spoke at an event to protect the rights of people with disabilities, did not talk about his departure from the White House or the 2024 presidential election in his speech.
The Social Security Agency (SSA) provides a basic income to US citizens who are retired or unable to work because of a disability. It covers about 67 million Americans, mostly senior citizens.
The administration has repeatedly been accused by Democratic politicians of planning drastic cuts to social security.
Meanwhile, staff from the so-called Department of Government Efficiency have been working since February in the agency, whose management has pledged to cut at least 7 000 staff and close offices, raising concerns about longer queues, longer waiting times and disruption to receiving benefits.
Musk has described welfare benefits as “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time”, prompting a strong reaction from President Biden, who defended the programme, saying: “What are they talking about? People earn these benefits.”
However, Trump has said in the past that, although he intends to crack down on fraudulent claims and payments to illegal immigrants, he is not going to massively cut benefits.
On Tuesday, he signed an executive order barring illegal immigrants and “other ineligible persons” from receiving social benefits.
Ahead of Biden’s appearance in Chicago, Trump’s press secretary Caroline Leavitt told reporters that the President was “absolutely confident” that he would protect benefits for “tax-paying, law-abiding American citizens and seniors”.
“He will always protect this programme,” she added.
The SSA, which is now run by a Trump appointee, said in a statement on X that Biden had “lied” in his speech.
Since he left office, Biden has been relatively low-key.
Biden criticises Trump in his first speech since leaving the White House
