Biden tells Charleston, South Carolina church: ‘I’m not going anywhere’ on last day in office

President Biden vowed to remain in public life after his departure from the White House, telling a South Carolina church congregation on Sunday: “I’m not going anywhere.”

On his last full day in office, Biden traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, where he spoke at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate Martin Luther King Day early.

On the topic of clemency, Biden praised himself for having granted more commutations and individual pardons than “any other president in American history,” adding that he also aspired to “end the federal death penalty” by commuting the majority of sentences of life imprisonment without parole. The president also said he commuted the sentences of people “who are serving disproportionately harsh, long, harsh sentences for nonviolent drug crimes” and showed “mercy” for people who served their time or served a significant amount of time and “have shown significant remorse and rehabilitation.”

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President Biden speaks during a church service at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday, January 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

“These decisions are difficult. Some have never been made before, but, in my experience, with my conscience, I believe that taking justice and mercy together requires as a nation to bear witness, to see people’s pain, not to look away.” and do the same. Work, turn pain into purpose, show that we can lead a person, a nation, to a day of redemption,” Biden said. “We know that the fight to redeem the soul of this nation is difficult and ongoing.”

“This is the edge between danger and possibility. But faith, faith teaches us that the America of our dreams is always closer than we think. That is the faith we must hold on to during the Sabbaths to come. We must hold on to a hope. “We must stay committed. “We must always keep faith in a better day to come,” Biden said, adding, “I’m not going anywhere, I’m not kidding… People.” in south carolinaThanks for keeping the faith. “It has been the honor of my life to be your president.”

President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Rep. James Clyburn attend a service at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

“As I close this journey with you, I am as passionate about our work as I was when I was 29 years old when I was elected,” Biden added. “I’m not tired by any means.”

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Biden, who turned 82 in November, is due to return to Washington, D.C., on Monday for the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Trump.

After a disastrous debate against Trump over the summer, Biden suspended his re-election campaign amid serious concerns within the Democratic Party about his age and mental aptitude.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve as your president,” President Biden told a congregation in North Charleston, Sunday, January 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Vice President Kamala Harris topped the Democratic ticket instead of Biden and suffered a decisive loss to Trump in November.

Biden was the oldest American president to take office four years ago. Trump, 78, will eclipse that record by a few months on Monday.

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Early Sunday, Biden granted clemency five more people, including black nationalist and political activist Marcus Garvey.