Reflecting on Biden’s “American Oligarchs” Farewell Address
By Steve Thomas-Patel
Developer
“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.”
With those words, spoken from the Oval Office in his farewell address, President Joe Biden issued a stark warning about the future of American democracy. It was a rare moment of bluntness from a leader known for his moderation—a forceful condemnation of the unchecked power that had been allowed to fester at the highest levels of government and industry.
At the time, Biden’s speech felt momentous, even radical coming from a lifelong centrist. Yet just weeks later, his warning already feels insufficient—not because he was wrong, but because the forces he described have only accelerated.
A Call to Action
Biden’s farewell was not just a reflection—it was a call to action. He laid out a bold agenda for reforms aimed at restoring fairness, transparency, and accountability in government:
Holding tech platforms accountable for their role in spreading misinformation
Tax reform to prevent extreme wealth consolidation
Eliminating dark money from politics
Term limits for Supreme Court justices
Banning stock trading by members of Congress
Ensuring no president is above the law
At the time, these proposals seemed ambitious—perhaps even aggressive, by Biden’s usual standards. But in the weeks since his speech, they already feel outdated—not because they were wrong, but because the threats to democracy have advanced even further, faster than anyone expected.
A New and More Immediate Threat
While concerns about the unchecked power of tech conglomerates remain, an even greater danger has emerged: the sweeping consolidation of executive power.
The current administration has undertaken actions that undermine the independence of key federal agencies, raising alarms about the erosion of democratic checks and balances. Institutions that were once designed to operate independently—like the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Election Commission (FEC), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)—are being pulled under tighter executive control.
The DOJ has signaled a more aggressive approach to antitrust enforcement—an important tool when used responsibly, but one that could also be wielded selectively against political opponents.
The FCC has launched investigations into media outlets critical of the administration, raising concerns that regulatory powers are being used to silence dissent.
The FEC, responsible for overseeing free and fair elections, is now staffed with loyalists closely aligned with the president’s political agenda, further calling into question the impartiality of election oversight.
The pattern is clear: federal enforcement agencies are no longer acting as neutral arbiters. They are being transformed into political weapons.
A Chilling Statement: “You Won’t Have to Vote Anymore”
This consolidation of power becomes even more ominous when paired with recent remarks from President Trump himself. Speaking at a July 2024 event organized by Turning Point Action, he made a stunning claim to his Christian supporters:
“Christians, get out and vote, just this time! You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what, it will be fixed, it will be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians.”
At first, this statement might sound like mere political bravado. But taken alongside his administration’s growing control over the institutions meant to safeguard democracy, it takes on an entirely different meaning.
If the FEC is controlled by the executive,
If the FCC is used to weaken opposition voices,
If antitrust threats are used to pressure corporations into compliance,
If the DOJ and IRS can be turned against political enemies,
Then what mechanisms remain to hold power accountable?
Biden’s Speech Feels More Urgent Than Ever
Looking back, Biden’s farewell address was not an overstatement—it was an understatement. His warnings about oligarchic influence and corporate dominance were real, but they have now been overtaken by something even more direct, even more dangerous: the use of government itself as an instrument of political control.
The question is no longer whether democracy is being eroded.
It is how quickly—and whether anything remains to stop it.
A Legacy of Vigilance
Biden’s farewell address now stands as a defining moment in the ongoing battle for democracy. It was not just a reflection on his presidency—it was a warning that feels more prescient with each passing day.
Democracy does not survive on its own. It must be defended.
As the nation moves forward, the urgency of Biden’s message has only grown stronger. The threats he outlined are no longer theoretical—they are actively unfolding. The consolidation of executive power, the dismantling of independent institutions, and the erosion of free and fair elections are not distant dangers; they are happening now, in real time.