WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden issued a series of warnings Wednesday night during his farewell address to the nation, while emphasizing the work still left to be done as the octogenarian soon caps off 50 years in public service. Biden, in remarks from the Oval Office, highlighted what’s at stake regarding the threat of climate change, artificial intelligence and “a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people.” “Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden said. He echoed concerns about a “tech industrial complex,” noting that “Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation, enabling the abuse of power.” “The free press is crumbling,” Biden said. Without ever mentioning his successor, President-elect Donald Trump, Biden called for amending the Constitution “to make clear that no president — no president — is immune from crimes that he or she commits while in office.” The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in July that a president could enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official “core constitutional” acts but no immunity for unofficial acts. The decision stemmed from a federal election interference case against Trump. Those charges were dropped following his election victory. Challenges during term Biden, who faced a slew of global and domestic challenges during his one term in the White House, is departing the Oval Office with low approval ratings as Trump soon regains power. Biden withdrew his reelection bid in July after a disastrous debate performance in June against Trump. The 82-year-old faced repeated scrutiny regarding his age and mental agility. He also drew criticism for not dropping out of the race sooner. He passed the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic ticket. She lost against Trump in both the popular vote and Electoral College. “I wish the incoming administration success because I want America to succeed,” Biden said. “That’s why I upheld my duty to ensure a peaceful, orderly transition of power, to ensure we lead by the power of our example,” he said. Biden also faced criticism in December for choosing to issue an unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, over federal gun and tax crimes — a sharp reversal of his previous position on the matter. Hunter Biden and his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, sat in the Oval Office during the farewell address, along with Harris, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and first lady Jill Biden.  Taxes, hostage deal Biden also called for revising the tax code, “not by giving the biggest tax cuts to billionaires, but by making them begin to pay their fair share.” Republicans who have taken control of Congress as well as the White House are planning to renew tax cuts enacted in Trump’s first term. Biden called for an 18-year term limit and the strongest ethics reforms for the U.S. Supreme Court. He pushed for a ban on lawmakers trading stock while in Congress.  The outgoing president shed light on some of his major accomplishments while in office, including the ceasefire and hostage deal reached between Israel and Hamas earlier Wednesday, which brings an end to the 15-month brutal war in Gaza. Biden said the plan was developed and negotiated by his team and will largely be implemented by the next administration. He also pointed to his massive infrastructure, climate and clean energy initiatives, which have defined much of his presidency. “Together, we’ve launched a new era of American possibilities, one of the greatest modernizations of infrastructure in our entire history, from new roads, bridges, clean water, affordable, high-speed internet for every American,” Biden said. He also highlighted the nearly 17 million new jobs created during his administration and signing into law the most comprehensive federal gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years. The White House published a fact sheet Wednesday, along with a letter from Biden, that outlines his administration’s record in detail.  Last updated 10:56 p.m., Jan. 15, 2025 The post In farewell speech to nation, Biden warns of threat of ‘extreme wealth, power and influence’ appeared first on The Lexington Times.