Former President Joe Biden delivered a passionate address on Thursday evening at the National Bar Association's 100th annual gala held at the Hyatt in Chicago, taking aim at his successor, President Donald Trump, describing his administration as an "existential" threat to Black Americans and minority communities.
Biden’s speech focused on what he called the "dangerous" policies that have been set into motion under Trump’s leadership and warned that these policies threaten the very core of America’s democracy and its values of justice, fairness, and equality.
The speech, which came as Biden was presented with the prestigious C. Francis Stradford Award, was a sharp critique of Trump’s administration, casting it as a deliberate force undermining decades of progress.
"Not since those tumultuous days in the 1960s has this fight been so existential to who we are as a nation, with marginalized groups so dramatically under attack," Biden told the gathered crowd. "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."
Biden’s comments emphasized the perceived regression of civil rights in America under the Trump administration, particularly in regard to marginalized communities.
"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 declared, urging the legal community to be vigilant and resist the forces threatening the nation’s democratic foundations.
Biden’s speech came at a time when the nation is grappling with increased polarization, with the fight for justice, equality, and civil rights coming to a head under Trump’s leadership.
The former president went on to describe the current moment in American history as one of those rare and significant times that force the nation to confront its most challenging issues.
"Folks, in all our lives, the life of our nation, there are moments so stark that they divide all that came before from everything that followed, moments that forced us to confront hard truths about ourselves, our institutions, and democracy itself," Biden said.
"We are, in my view, at such a moment in American history, reflected in every cruel executive outreach, every rollback of basic freedoms, every erosion of long-standing, established precedent."
Biden argued that Trump’s administration has been systematically undoing the progress that was made during his own tenure.
From judicial appointments to executive orders, Biden described the Trump administration’s approach as a threat to the nation’s democratic ideals and constitutional integrity.
He called for a united front to push back against these forces, particularly in the context of the courts, where Biden emphasized the importance of judicial independence and the rule of law.
A key point in Biden’s address was his legacy of judicial appointments, particularly those of Black women to the U.S. courts of appeals.
He proudly pointed to his administration's historic efforts to increase diversity within the federal judiciary, particularly the appointment of more
Black women to the courts than any other president in U.S. history combined. This accomplishment, Biden stressed, was central to his commitment to ensuring fairness and equality in the legal system.
Biden’s administration, he argued, has worked tirelessly to empower historically marginalized groups, including Black Americans, by ensuring they have a seat at the table in the legal and political spheres.
“Judges matter, courts matter, the law matters, and the Constitution matters,” Biden said. “I think a lot of Americans are starting to realize that under the pressure now with this guy we have as president, these things really matter.”
He continued to highlight how Trump’s policies have affected the legal landscape, particularly when it comes to court rulings. "They’re doing it all too often with the help of a Congress that is just sitting on the sidelines and enabled by the highest court in the nation," Biden said, referencing the judiciary’s role in enabling many of Trump’s controversial policies.
Biden was quick to remind the audience that the law, when manipulated, can become a tool for oppression rather than liberation.
In his address, Biden called for resistance against the Trump administration's policies, urging the audience to be unapologetic in fighting for the future of the country.
“These are dark days, but you're all here for the same reason I left that prestigious law firm to go to the defender's office years ago,” Biden said. “It’s because our future is literally on the line and we must be unapologetic in fighting for the future.”
Biden’s words resonated with the gathering of legal professionals, many of whom see themselves as the last line of defense against the erosion of civil rights and liberties.
He called on the legal community to remain strong in their efforts to push back against the policies that he believes threaten the nation’s fundamental values.
During his speech, Biden also reflected on his personal journey, joking about his place in history. “When I was elected, I had the dubious distinction to be elected the youngest senator in American history and the oldest president in American history.
It’s hell turning 40 twice,” he said, making light of his age and the challenges he has faced throughout his political career.
However, Biden also acknowledged that the path forward would not be easy. The challenges facing the country, he noted, are immense, but they are not insurmountable if the legal community and activists continue to fight for justice and equality.
The message, he said, was clear: the fight for civil rights and the protection of democracy must continue, and it must be led by those willing to stand up and speak truth to power.
Biden’s address was part of the National Bar Association’s centennial celebration, which included other notable figures in the legal and political world, such as Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford.
The gala event also featured prominent legal advocates such as MSNBC pundit Joy-Ann Reid and New York Attorney General Tish James, all of whom are deeply committed to advocating for civil rights and justice.
The National Bar Association (NBA), founded in Iowa during a time when Black lawyers were excluded from joining the American Bar Association, is dedicated to advancing civil rights, legal access for marginalized groups, and diversity within the legal profession.
Its approximately 66,000 members work tirelessly to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, have equal access to justice.
Wiley Adams, president of the NBA, described Biden’s appearance as a powerful moment for the legal community. “President Biden’s life and leadership reflect an unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the promise of justice for all,” Adams said.
“It is not only historic but also deeply meaningful to have the 46th President of the United States join us in honoring the transformative power of the law—and the enduring fight to protect our democracy.”
Biden’s speech comes amid renewed public scrutiny of his son, Hunter Biden, who made headlines recently after agreeing to a voluntary disbarment related to allegations of drug use and gun law violations.
Hunter Biden, who had a tumultuous past involving addiction, was found to have violated gun laws when a weapon registered in his name was found in a dumpster near a school in Delaware.
While Hunter’s legal issues were not directly addressed in Biden’s speech, they have been a source of controversy in the media.
The timing of Biden’s address at the NBA gala, juxtaposed with Hunter’s legal troubles, highlighted the stark contrast between Biden’s civil rights advocacy and the ongoing legal challenges his family faces.
Despite the personal struggles of his son, Biden’s speech emphasized the importance of continuing to fight for justice and equity, regardless of personal challenges.
As Biden wrapped up his speech, the crowd was left with a clear message: the fight for justice, equality, and civil rights is far from over, and it requires a collective effort from every American.
From the courtroom to the streets, Biden urged the legal community and the American public to stay committed to protecting the nation’s democratic ideals in the face of what he described as unprecedented threats from the current administration.
In a moment of reflection, Biden concluded, "Our future is literally on the line, and we must be unapologetic in fighting for the future.
" As the battle over civil rights, democracy, and justice continues to unfold, Biden’s call for action resonates as a reminder that the fight for equality is a never-ending one, requiring vigilance, determination, and unwavering commitment.
