Joe Biden warns of 'dark days' for Americans amid Trump's 'attacks on free speech'

Joe Biden Warns of 'Dark Days' for Americans Amid Trump's 'Attacks on Free Speech'

In a powerful and emotionally charged speech delivered in Boston on October 26, 2025, former U.S. President Joe Biden issued a stark warning about what he described as “dark days” for America.

Speaking publicly for the first time since completing radiation therapy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, Biden addressed a crowd at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, where he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. His remarks were not only reflective but also deeply critical of the current administration under President Donald Trump.

Biden began by reaffirming the foundational ideals of the United States, calling America “a beacon for the most powerful idea ever in government.” He emphasized that this idea, democracy, freedom, and the rule of law, is stronger than any army and more powerful than any dictator. 

However, he expressed grave concern that these ideals are under threat, citing what he views as President Trump’s attempts to undermine free speech and expand executive power beyond constitutional limits.

The former president pointed to the ongoing federal government shutdown, one of the longest in U.S. history, as a troubling example. He suggested that Trump is using the lapse in funding to assert unprecedented control over government operations, thereby testing the boundaries of presidential authority.

Biden lamented the erosion of institutional checks and balances, warning that the health of American democracy depends on a limited presidency, a functioning Congress, and an independent judiciary.

Despite the somber tone, Biden offered a message of resilience and hope. “Friends, I can’t sugarcoat any of this. These are dark days,” he said, before urging Americans to “keep the faith.” He predicted that the nation would eventually “find our true compass again” and emerge “stronger, wiser and more resilient, more just.” He praised individuals who have stood up against what he described as threats from the Trump administration, including federal employees who resigned in protest, universities and comedians targeted for their speech, and even Republican officials who have voted against the administration’s policies.

Biden’s speech also touched on his personal health journey. Earlier in the year, his post-presidential office revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones, graded with a Gleason score of 9, indicating a highly aggressive form. Now 82 years old and turning 83 in November, Biden had completed his radiation therapy earlier in the month. He had previously announced his decision not to seek re-election, citing concerns about his age and health following a difficult debate against Trump. Instead, he endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, who ultimately lost the election to Trump.

In closing, Biden reminded the audience that America’s story is not a fairy tale but a constant struggle between peril and possibility. “For 250 years, it’s been a constant push and pull,” he said, encouraging citizens to “get back up” and continue fighting for the values that define the nation.