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Biden defends the defense legacy of the US military
Fox News correspondent Mark Meredith outlines in ‘Special Report’ the conflicting views on President Biden’s legacy as the president bids farewell to American service members.
president biden Thursday he thanked service members for their “strength” and “integrity” while delivering his farewell speech in Virginia.
“There has never been a time in history when we have asked our military to do so many different things in so many places, all at the same time,” the president said at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia. “And I want to be clear: You have carried out all of these missions with strength and, perhaps even more importantly, with integrity.”
Biden’s address to the troops came the morning after his farewell address to the nation in which he said it was his “great honor” to serve as the 46th president.
It also arrives four days early. President-elect Trump happens to him.
WHILE TRUMP AND BID CLAIM CREDIT FOR ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE, SOME REPUBLICANS CALL IT A BAD DEAL
President Biden thanked service members for their “strength” and “integrity” Thursday as he delivered his farewell address at the Department of Defense. (Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“You all represent what America is: character, honesty, integrity, commitment,” Biden told the troops. “You are simply the greatest fighting force in the history of the world.”
The president said troops “rose to the occasion” when he called for an end to the war in Afghanistan, “evacuating Americans, our allies and our Afghan partners, achieving the largest airlift in military history and putting end to a war. The same courage is defined by American service in Afghanistan for more than 20 years.”
He said he believes “history will reflect that it was the right thing to do, but I know, I know, that it was difficult after decades of losing your brothers and sisters, even (during the) retirement. The pain was still real. And it was for me too. Every day I keep charging, every day.”
Biden has been criticized for his handling of the messy withdrawal from Afghanistan, when 13 US service members were killed.
He added that six months after US troops withdrew from Afghanistan, “when Russia began its largest war in Europe since World War II, I asked them to help defend Ukraine. They didn’t hesitate. They kept Ukraine in the fight, they trained Ukrainian soldiers and pilots, troops, reinforced NATO’s eastern flank and, above all, showed the world that the United States defends freedom, supports our friends.
BIDEN THANKS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR THE GREAT HONOR OF SERVING AS PRESIDENT DURING FAREWELL SPEECH
Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense, during a farewell ceremony for the commander in chief at Joint Base Myers-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He also promoted the Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamaswhich was announced on Wednesday and mentioned for the first time in his farewell address to the nation.
“The road to that agreement was not easy,” he admitted, saying that he “established the elements of that agreement eight months ago.”
President-elect Trump has also taken credit for the ceasefire.
“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could only have occurred as a result of our historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire world that my Administration would pursue peace and negotiate agreements to ensure the security of all Americans and our allies,” he wrote Trump. on Social Truth Wednesday. “I am delighted that the American and Israeli hostages are returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.”
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at Biden’s commander in chief’s farewell celebration on Thursday. (Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Biden also thanked military families who “sacrifice so much” in his speech.
“Most Americans never see the sacrifices that are made every day,” he continued. “Never see all those holidays and birthdays with an empty seat at the table because Mom or Dad was sent away. Never see all the moves you had to make to new states, new schools, new jobs.”
He added near the end of his speech: “You are truly the greatest fighting force in the history of the world,” adding that the U.S. military has the best training, weapons, ships and planes.
“But that alone is not what makes us strong,” he said. “They are our values. American values. Our commitment to honor, integrity, unity, protection and defense. Not a person, a party or a place, but an idea.”
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Before Biden’s speech, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanked Biden for his service in their own remarks, which were part of Biden’s farewell tribute. commander in chief to the president.
