Washington — Former President Joe Biden is scheduled to give his first public speech since leaving office on Tuesday, addressing a conference in Chicago that focuses on the protection of Social Security.
During his appearance at the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled conference, Biden will deliver a keynote address Tuesday evening, as outlined in the conference agenda, with speakers emphasizing the old-age and disability insurance program that offers monthly payments to approximately 1 in 5 Americans.
The 82-year-old ex-president, who departed from office on Jan. 20, has largely maintained a low profile until now. Biden’s address comes at a time when Democrats are attempting to regroup after facing significant losses in the 2024 elections, while President Trump continues to direct criticism towards him in the three months since resuming his position.
Former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, who served as Commissioner of the Social Security Administration under Biden, is also expected to speak at the conference on Tuesday evening, along with former Senators Roy Blunt from Missouri and Debbie Stabenow from Michigan later in the week.
“We are grateful that President Biden has chosen the 2025 ACRD Conference to address the nation,” O’Malley, an adviser to the organization, stated, while noting “widespread concern that the recent progress made for Social Security could be alarmingly reversed.”
Biden’s appearance aligns with Democratic leaders’ warnings about potential threats to Social Security, in light of the Trump administration’s cuts to government programs and agencies under the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. There are growing concerns regarding the stability of the program amid recent efforts to drastically reduce the agency.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is mobilizing his members for several days of action aimed at opposing the Trump administration, including a “Save Social Security Day of Action” on Tuesday. The minority leader conducted a news conference on Tuesday morning, emphasizing that Social Security “is under unprecedented attack.”
“Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and House Republicans believe that Social Security is a ponzi scheme,” Jeffries remarked, adding that “it is unacceptable, unconscionable, and un-American that Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and House Republicans are dismantling and shutting down Social Security offices, increasing wait times, and hindering hard-working Americans from accessing their benefits.”
