Biden tries to lift the spirits of Democrats on his last full day in office From Reuters

By Trevor Hunnicutt

NORTH CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden urged disaffected Democrats not to give up hope as he returned to the warm embrace of South Carolina’s black religious community to mark the final day they know about his presidency on Sunday.

Biden leaves office on Monday, ending a four-year term that leaves his Democratic Party in the political wilderness as he hands the office to Republican rival Donald Trump, whom Democrats consider a threat to democracy.

At the Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, Biden was fondly remembered by political allies and received a standing ovation from church attendees.

“We often think about the resurrection and the redemption, but remember that Jesus was buried on Friday, and he rose on Sunday,” said Biden to the faithful from the pulpit. “We haven’t talked enough about the Sabbath, when his disciples felt that all hope was lost.”

His remarks came amid major developments in the waning hours of Biden’s presidency, including a lengthy cease-fire and a hostage deal in Gaza, an issue that has come to the fore in the last 15 months of the presidency. of Biden.

“I’m telling you, great friend, very little appreciation has been shown recently, but don’t get me wrong, history will be very kind to you,” said Representative Jim Clyburn, who spoke before Biden, recalling Abraham’s harsh initial assessments. . Lincoln, Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson.

Biden hinted at bitter political disappointment after withdrawing last summer from running for a second term in office over concerns about his age and his performance on the campaign trail, but suggested that he wanted to stay in the public eye after the end of his term.

“I’m not tired in any way,” Biden said, drawing the words of a gospel standard to applause. “I’m not going anywhere.”

South Carolina Democrats saved Biden’s political career in February 2020, giving him his first presidential primary victory and the momentum he would carry through his victory over Trump later that year.

Biden credited Clyburn’s late endorsement in that race with delivering voters in the state and said he couldn’t think of a better place to spend his last full day in office.

Here, in the largely Black church, Biden marked the feast of Martin Luther King Jr. a day earlier, alongside his wife, Jill, and son, Hunter, and other family members and close aides.

He gave an offering before entering, according to the pastor, and then visited the International African American Museum in Charleston.

Parishioners jostled and an electric bass played during the service.

“Every time I spend time in a black church,” Biden said, “I think about one thing: the word ‘hope.’