
Joe Biden’s farewell appearance at the Department of Defense’s Commander in Chief ceremony on Thursday was, to put it mildly, a dramatic display of self-congratulation, missteps, and irony. As Biden and Kamala Harris made their appearance together—despite ongoing reports of tension between the two after Biden’s remarks about his hypothetical chances of winning reelection—the event underscored just how farcical his final days in office have become.
Biden’s remarks were short, but not without their trademark confusion. Praising the military for their “honesty, integrity, and commitment,” he then went on to slur through parts of his speech, losing his train of thought midway through a discussion about Finland and NATO. Things got even stranger when he referred to the military “defending Israel against unprecedented attacks on Iran.” This baffling reversal of reality left listeners scratching their heads, though by now, such gaffes are hardly surprising.
Biden and Kamala view the “Armed Forces Farewell” — as they prepare for unemployment in a few short days. pic.twitter.com/IpLbQpmG53
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 16, 2025
As expected, Biden took full credit for the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, a claim that doesn’t hold water considering the Trump team’s groundwork, which even his own administration admitted played a role. He also trotted out a familiar story about his son Beau, once again attributing his death to burn pits, despite no conclusive evidence to support the claim. It was yet another example of Biden using his personal narrative to deflect attention from his actual record, which is far less flattering.
The peak absurdity of the event came when Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin presented Biden with a “Distinguished Public Service” award on behalf of the Department of Defense. The announcement, ironically, included a botched pronunciation of Biden’s name as “Barden,” which seemed fitting given the incongruity of the moment. The award citation praised Biden for leaving the U.S. and the Department of Defense “far stronger and far better postured”—a claim that borders on comedic given the catastrophic military withdrawal from Afghanistan, which left 13 service members dead and marked one of the most shameful chapters in recent U.S. history. The aftermath of that debacle emboldened adversaries like Russia, which shortly thereafter invaded Ukraine, and left American credibility in tatters on the world stage.
Biden wipes a tear during Defense Department farewell ceremony. pic.twitter.com/xTAC57DVJh
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) January 16, 2025
It begs the question: how does one justify giving Joe Biden an award for his own presidency? It’s essentially the equivalent of giving yourself a gold star for showing up. The spectacle didn’t stop there—Jill Biden was also handed a “Distinguished Public Service” award for her supposed support of military families. While Jill has been involved in military-related initiatives, the timing and optics of these awards make the gesture feel more like a closing ceremony for a failed administration than an authentic act of recognition.
It’s difficult to reconcile these self-congratulatory moments with Biden’s actual record. His administration’s handling of the military withdrawal from Afghanistan left scars that are still fresh, both for the families of the fallen and for the American military. His denial of responsibility for the fiasco stands as a glaring reminder of the failures of his presidency. Far from leaving America “stronger,” Biden’s tenure has been defined by missteps, weak leadership, and a vacuum that has allowed adversaries like Russia and China to gain ground.
Biden is currently being led around an “Armed Forces Farewell,” though it’s unlikely he has any idea where he is pic.twitter.com/AKjdnSwulm
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 16, 2025