January 20, 2025: Former President Joe Biden gives his final remarks to guests at his sendoff ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.Staff Sgt. Alex Broome / Public Domain
Outgoing US President Joe Biden quoted Irish poet Seamus Heaney's poem "The Cure at Troy" on Monday, January 20 after he attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, DC.
Biden has touted his Irish roots through his lengthy political career, often quoting Irish poets Seamus Heaney and WB Yeats.
On Monday, after attending Trump's inauguration in Washington, DC, Biden delivered brief farewell remarks to his staff at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Not only were his remarks a farewell to staff, but they were a farewell to his political career that spanned decades.
"Folks, I came to thank you," Biden told the crowd at Joint Base Andrews on Monday with his wife, former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, at his side.
"You know, I don't think we could have done anything, I know we couldn't have done anything we did, without you.
"Kamala and Doug and members of the Cabinet, all the staff that's here, all across all the agencies, and friends, supporters, you and I are forever grateful to you. I mean that. We're genuinely grateful."
January 20, 2025: Dr. Jill Biden and Joe Biden at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. (Public Domain / Staff Sgt. Aubree Owens)
Biden continued: "As you heard me say before, no president gets to choose the moment to enter history, but they get to choose the team they enter history with.
"And we chose the best damn team in the world. You are.
"You know, it's because of you, I mean this and sit from the bottom of my heart, because of you, we got so much done for all Americans."
Biden told his staff that he hopes they look back on their years in his administration "with the same pride I have with all you've done."
He said he was proud of his staff for "upholding the core values of honesty, decency, integrity." He noted that there was "no scandal."
"You represent the best of who we are as Americans," the outgoing President said.
Biden went on to tell the crowd: "The point I want to make today is to make clear my farewell address, we have a lot more to do. If you heard the inaugural address today, you know we got a lot more to do."
At this point, Biden paused to bless himself, prompting laughs from the crowd. He similarly blessed himself on stage during Trump's inauguration ceremony when Senator Amy Klobuchar said "we will witness the peaceful transfer of power."
January 20, 2025: Outgoing President Joe Biden at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. (Staff Sgt. Jordan Powell / Public Domain)
Biden continued: "I know for many years of experience, they're up and down, but we have to stay with it."
Drawing applause, he continued: "We've always done our best as Americans. We never, never, never give up. Never.
"We're leaving office. We're not leaving the fight. You're smart. You're skilled. You're passionate. The country needs you again."
He encouraged his outgoing staff to "stay engaged in all the ways you can," adding that he and his family "believe in you."
"Just as I've said of the laws we enacted, our seeds are going to grow and bloom for decades to come. I say that to you as well," he added.
Biden said, "history's going to judge what you've done as one of the most significant contributions that's been made by all of America."
January 20, 2025: Former US President Joe Biden at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. (Staff Sgt. Alex Broome / Public Domain)
Concluding, the former President said: "Let me close that poem you heard me quote before.
"Seamus Heaney wrote, 'Once in a lifetime, the long, far tidal wave of justice will rise up in hope and history rhyme.'
"You made it rhyme louder than it's rhymed in a long time. I really mean it.
"We're on the cusp of real change, so let's help hope and history rhyme."
Biden told the crowd he loves them and continued to thank them.
The crowd then broke out into cheers of "Thank you, Joe!"