This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to receive stories like this directly in your inbox. During a recent address, former President Joe Biden delivered a stark warning to his audience: for the first time in history, Social Security benefits may not be disbursed to beneficiaries this month due to significant budget cuts affecting the government office responsible for administering them. While the urgency of his message was palpable, the delivery felt all too familiar to those who have followed his political career.

Folks, lets put this in perspective, Biden stated emphatically. In the 90 years since Franklin Roosevelt established the Social Security system, people have consistently received their Social Security checks. They received them during wars, during economic downturns, and even during a pandemic. No matter the circumstances, those checks were always delivered. Now, for the first time ever, that might change. This would be a calamity for millions of families. This recent speech marked Biden's first public appearance since exiting the White House, evoking memories of his time in office. He even referenced his 2020 rival in a light-hearted manner, dubbing Trump simply as This Guy.

The speech was laced with classic Biden phrases and a sense of urgency; he remarked, Theyre shooting first and aiming later, highlighting the reckless nature of the current political climate. His critique was pointed, stating, In fewer than 100 days, this new Administration has done so much damage and so much destruction. Its kind of breathtaking it happened that soon.

What is clear is that Bidens post-presidency trajectory is unlike that of many of his predecessors. Typically, former presidents retreat from the public eye for a while, allowing time for reflection. For instance, Barack Obama traveled abroad and enjoyed time with celebrity friends, while George W. Bush retreated to Texas, choosing oil painting as a new hobby and largely avoiding political discourse. Bill Clinton briefly took a step back for Hillary Rodham Clinton's ascendance to the Senate before reentering the spotlight. In contrast, Biden has made frequent appearances in Washington, returning every few weeks for meetings related to his post-presidential life.

Last month, Biden was seen accepting a lifetime achievement award from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, a union that has been one of his staunchest supporters. He also attended a Model United Nations event in New York City and participated in a Passover seder with Delaware's Governor. Most notably, he attended the Broadway opening night of Othello, making headlines for snubbing another major play led by George Clooney, who had publicly criticized Bidens decision to run again in 2024.

Back home, Biden is reportedly working on the outline for his memoirs. However, he has noticeably reduced his interactions with his Senate allies and hasnt made significant moves toward establishing a presidential library. This lack of progress has puzzled even his closest supporters, as many are left wondering where and when such a library might materialize. This hesitation around fundraising and the establishment of a library may indicate a desire to stay relevant in the public sphere, especially given the contrasting turmoil of Trump's second term.

Democratic supporters are eager to showcase Bidens accomplishments, highlighting initiatives such as a tax credit that led to the lowest childhood poverty rate in U.S. history, substantial funding for pandemic recovery, and considerable investments in clean energy. These accomplishments have contributed to the creation of over 16 million jobs. Bidens instinct to focus on Social Security during his recent speech seems well-timed, as there are approximately 73 million Social Security recipients who are older or disabled, making this issue particularly relevant.

Even if Social Security checks are disbursed this month, the looming issue remains: Republicans are on a collision course concerning the program's funding. While Trump has claimed he wont cut Social Security, his proposed budget does not align with that promise. Current congressional efforts are pursuing a spending framework that mandates substantial cuts; the Senate has proposed a baseline of $4 billion in reductions, while the House is aiming for at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. Adding to the complexity, Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, now led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has already implemented a 10% cut to the Social Security Administration, leading to the closure of numerous regional offices and placing an unsustainable strain on the system.

Musk has publicly labeled Social Security as the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time, suggesting that cuts to mandatory spending programs must be considered. While White House officials assert that Musk is merely addressing fraud, skepticism abounds among Democratic leaders. As a response to these alarming trends, House Democrats organized a national day of action centered on Social Security, and Senate Democrats have initiated their first advertising campaign targeting Republican incumbents in states like Maine and North Carolina.

As protests against potential changes to the retirement safety net have surged, enthusiasm for progressive figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez continues to build, even in traditionally conservative areas such as Utah. Meanwhile, Sen. Cory Booker has garnered admiration for his record-setting speech on the Senate floor. Biden's recent event, however, highlighted the challenges he faces in rekindling the same level of enthusiasm. He humorously referenced his extensive career in public service, joking about having served as a United States Senator 400 years ago. He also poked fun at Musks remarks about beneficiaries, quipping, By the way, those 300-year-old folks receiving Social Security, I want to meet them. Hell of a thing, man. Im looking at longevity. Because its hell when you turn 40 years old.

However, the 27-minute address failed to evoke nostalgia for Biden, and many observers doubt his ability to resolve the long-term structural issues facing the Democratic Party. While he may desire a political resurgence, pushing too hard could leave him isolated within a rapidly evolving political landscape.

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