Biden Issues Warning To The Troops

On Thursday, President Biden made what could be his final remarks to U.S. service members in Washington, D.C., during his farewell tour. His speech was a mix of praise for the military and a defense of his presidency, especially on defense-related issues. However, his rhetoric and the themes of his speech leave a lot to be desired, especially when viewed through the lens of Republican values.

Biden, in his typical fashion, talked about the importance of military service and the values of honor, integrity, and unity, highlighting the dedication of the U.S. armed forces to defending the American idea of freedom and democracy. “You have sworn an oath to defend this nation,” Biden declared, positioning himself as a champion of the military and national unity. He further added that the United States has “never fully lived up to” the ideal it stands for, but somehow never strayed from it either—a statement that seems more idealistic than practical, given the administration’s divisive policies and failures.

He also took a moment to celebrate what he views as his military accomplishments: from tackling military suicides and homelessness, to rolling back the transgender ban in the military, and expanding opportunities for women in combat roles. But Republicans would likely argue that these moves distract from the core mission of the military—defending the nation—by prioritizing social engineering over readiness and security. Additionally, his efforts to bring military justice reforms and his high-profile handling of military deployments, particularly the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, are unlikely to be viewed as successes by conservative critics.

Biden also used his remarks to touch on international issues. He touted the withdrawal from Afghanistan as a strategic success, despite widespread bipartisan criticism over its execution. Then, shifting to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Biden reaffirmed U.S. military support, a move that aligns with his broader strategy of global engagement, but one that risks further entangling the United States in foreign conflicts.

As he ended his speech, Biden made a final request for the military: “Remember your oath.” It’s a poignant statement, but one that seems disconnected from his administration’s actions, which often appear out of step with the values of those who serve in uniform. For many Republicans, Biden’s farewell was more about self-congratulation than a genuine reflection on the sacrifices made by American service members, and his presidency will likely be remembered as one that weakened America’s global standing, divided the nation, and undermined military readiness in favor of political correctness.