Wed Apr 16 01:43:58 UTC 2025: ## Biden Condemns Trump Administration’s Social Security Cuts in First Major Post-Presidency Speech
**Chicago, IL –** Former President Joe Biden launched a scathing attack on the Trump administration Tuesday, criticizing its sweeping cuts to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in his first major public address since leaving office. Speaking at a conference for disability advocates in Chicago, Biden accused the Trump administration, particularly Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), of “damage and destruction” to the agency.
Biden highlighted the SSA’s crucial role, noting its $1.4 trillion annual payout to 73 million Americans. He contrasted this with the Trump administration’s plans to cut at least 7,000 staff and close offices, leading to fears of increased wait times and service disruptions. He cited a recent federal court order temporarily halting the sharing of sensitive SSA data with Musk’s team following concerns about privacy violations.
While Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, insisted the president remains committed to protecting Social Security benefits, Biden pointed to increased system crashes and difficulties accessing accounts as evidence of the damage inflicted by the cuts. He questioned the Trump administration’s actions, stating, “Who in the hell do they think they are?”
The speech has sparked mixed reactions within the Democratic party. Some strategists, like Karen Finney, expressed concern that Biden’s re-emergence might distract from the negative consequences of Trump’s trade war with China and other protectionist policies. They fear that Biden’s speech could allow Trump to shift the focus away from his own unpopular policies. However, Biden’s forceful condemnation of the SSA cuts marks a significant return to the national political stage.
First Piper 