Biden takes aim at Trump during Jesse Jackson funeral: ‘Administration doesn’t share our values’

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Former President Joe Biden attended the funeral service for Rev Jesse Jackson on Friday, March 6. During his speech, the 83-year-old Democrat said the nation is in a “tough spot,” and without directly naming President Donald Trump, he suggested that the current administration does not "share the values" he believes the country should stand for. 

His comments appeared to reflect the political tensions and shifting global dynamics in Trump’s second term.

Also in attendance were Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Rev Al Sharpton, to name a few. The service brought together political leaders and community members to honor Jackson’s legacy in the civil rights movement.

Biden praises Jesse Jackson’s legacy while making subtle remarks about Trump’s administration

While the speech was mainly meant to honor Jackson’s legacy, Biden also spoke about the state of the country’s governance.

“We're in a tough spot, folks, we've got an administration that doesn't share any of the values that we have. I don't think I'm exaggerating a little bit,” Biden said during his remarks without directly naming Trump. 

He also spoke about Jackson’s lasting influence and the way he consistently held leaders accountable, regardless of who was in power. Reflecting on Jackson’s activism, Biden said that even when the country seemed to be doing well, Jackson “refused to let us off the hook as a party, as a nation, or as individuals.”

He added that during difficult times, the civil rights leader showed “relentless insistence” on doing what is right and used his voice to push the country closer to its ideals. Biden said Jackson’s work shaped generations of Americans and influenced many public officials, including presidents.

“Through his impassioned words on the campaign trail, and through moments of quiet courage, Jesse changed history in ways numerous and profound,” Biden said. 

Even though the former president did not refer to specific incidents, his remarks about the nation being in a “tough spot” came at a time when the US has been dealing with several major developments, including the tensions with Iran and the reported killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Minnesota shootings involving Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, and the 43-day federal government shutdown, which was linked to disagreements over spending and Affordable Care Act subsidies. 

Biden earlier criticized Trump’s State of the Union speech

Just days earlier, while addressing a crowd at an event organized by the South Carolina Democratic Party in Columbia, Biden took a swipe at Trump's State of the Union (SOTU) address. Referring to Trump’s speech that lasted a record 1 hour and 47 minutes, the Democrat joked, “Is he still talking?”

But the remarks did not stop there. During his roughly 20-minute speech, Biden criticized Trump more directly, saying the president had a “weird obsession with Barack Obama.” He also accused the Republican leader of trying to create barriers to voting in upcoming midterm elections, suggesting it was part of a plan to “steal the election.”  

He also mentioned that even though Covid caused migration to rise globally, border crossings were lower when he left office than when he took over from Trump. Biden also highlighted his economic record, noting strong job growth, falling crime, and a booming economy. He contrasted this with Trump’s approach, criticizing how his predecessor handled immigration and represented the country on the world stage.