Biden warns that Trump administration has 'taken a hatchet' to Social Security

CHICAGO - Former President Joe Biden made his first public speech since leaving office on Tuesday in an effort to highlight the Democratic Party’s concerns about the health and future of Social Security under the agenda of President Donald Trump.

During his speech, the 82-year-old warned that Trump has "taken a hatchet" to Social Security, weighing in on a critical issue for millions of Americans.

Biden left the White House in January, and in that time he has largely avoided speaking publicly. Meanwhile, Trump often blames Biden for many of the nation's problems – frequently attacking his predecessor by name.

Here’s what to know:

Biden’s 1st public speech since leaving office

What they're saying:

Biden delivered his pointed message during an evening speech at the national conference of Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled in Chicago. The former president was speaking as Democrats across the nation offered similar warnings for what they described as a Social Security Day of Action.

"In fewer than 100 days, this new administration has done so much damage and so much destruction. It's kind of breathtaking," Biden charged. "They’ve taken a hatchet to the Social Security Administration."

Social Security recipients have complained about long call wait times as the agency’s "my Social Security" benefits portal has seen an increase in outages. Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income, including disabled seniors and low-income adults and children, also reported receiving a notice that said they were "not receiving benefits."

The agency said the notice was a mistake. And the White House has vowed that it would not cut Social Security benefits, saying any changes are intended to reduce waste and fraud.

Biden seized on the problems during his remarks.

"They’re shooting first and aiming later," the former president said. "They want to wreck it so they can rob it. Why do they want to rob it? In order to give tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations."

Dig deeper:

On Tuesday evening, Biden will be joined in Chicago by a bipartisan group of former elected officials, including former Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., former Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and former Social Security Administrator Martin O’Malley.

What they're saying:

"As bipartisan leaders have long agreed, Americans who retire after paying into Social Security their whole lives deserve the vital support and caring services they receive," Rachel Buck, executive director of the ACRD, told the Associated Press. "We are thrilled the president will be joining us to discuss how we can work together for a stable and successful future for Social Security."

The backstory:

Biden’s speech came as Democrats nationally sought to elevate Social Security as a key issue heading into the 2026 midterm elections, which will decide the balance of power in Congress for the last two year’s of Trump’s final term.

"This is an all hands on deck moment, which is why President Biden’s voice in this moment is so important," Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a call with reporters ahead of Biden’s speech.

After returning to the White House, Trump almost immediately began slashing the government workforce – something he heavily campaigned on – including thousands of employees at the Social Security Administration. Along with a planned layoff of 7,000 workers and plans to impose tighter identity-proofing measures for recipients, the SSA has been sued over a decision to allow Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access individuals’ Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information.

Musk, the world’s richest man and one of Trump’s most influential advisers, has called Social Security "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time."

At the same time, Social Security recipients have complained about long call wait times as the agency’s "my Social Security" benefits portal has seen an increase in outages. Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income, including disabled seniors and low-income adults and children, also reported receiving a notice that said they were "not receiving benefits."

The agency said the notice was a mistake. And the White House has vowed that it would not cut Social Security benefits, saying any changes are intended to reduce waste and fraud.

RELATED: Social Security changes coming in April: Here's what to know

Big picture view:

Biden, who left the White House with weak approval ratings, is not expected to make frequent public appearances as he transitions into his post-presidency. He still maintains an office in Washington, but has returned to Delaware as his regular home base, according to the Associated Press. Trump has revoked his security clearances.

Biden also faces blame from some progressives who argue he shouldn't have sought a second term. Biden ended his reelection bid after his poor debate performance against Trump and made way for then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump in the fall.

By the numbers:

Just 39% of Americans had a favorable opinion of Biden in January, according to a Gallup poll taken shortly after Trump’s inauguration. Views of the Democratic former president were essentially unchanged from a Gallup poll taken shortly after the November election. That also broadly tracks with the low favorability ratings that Biden experienced throughout the second half of his presidential term, according to Gallup. 

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