By Trevor Hunnicutt
NORTH CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden urged disheartened fellow Democrats not to lose hope as he returned to the warm embrace of South Carolina’s black church community to mark the last full day of his presidency on Sunday.
Biden leaves office on Monday, ending a four-year term that left his Democratic Party in a political wilderness when he handed the office back to Republican rival Donald Trump, whom Democrats see as a threat to democracy.
At the Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, Biden was remembered fondly by political allies and received a standing ovation from those in attendance.
“We often think about resurrection and redemption, but remember, Jesus was buried on Friday and rose on Sunday,” Biden told churchgoers from the pulpit. “We do not speak enough of the Sabbath, when his disciples felt that all hope was lost.”
His remarks came amid major developments in the final hours of Biden’s presidency, including the long-sought ceasefire and Gaza hostage deal, an issue that has loomed large over the last 15 months of Biden’s presidency.
“I’ll tell you, great friend, very little appreciation has been shown recently, but don’t faint, history will be very kind to you,” said Rep. Jim Clyburn, who spoke before Biden, recalling Abraham Lincoln’s early bad reviews. Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson.
Biden alluded to bitter political disappointment after withdrawing last summer from the race for a second term amid concerns about his age and campaign performance, but suggested he intends to remain in the public eye after his term ends.
“I’m not tired by any means,” Biden said, repeating the words of the evangelical 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 sustain with a victory over Trump later that year.
Biden credited Clyburn’s late endorsement in that race for delivering voters in the state and said he couldn’t think of a better place to spend his last full day in office.
There, in a predominantly black church, Biden marked the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. day in advance, along with his wife Jill and son Hunter and other family members and close associates.
He made an offering before entering, according to the pastor, and later visited the International African American Museum in Charleston.
The parishioners swayed and the electric bass beat during the service.
“Every time I spend time in a black church,” Biden said, “I think of one thing: the word ‘hope.’
