The 22 must-see lines from Joe Biden's farewell speech

Here we go.

(Photo via Wikimedia Commons()

President Joe Biden delivered a nearly 20-minute warning about the ongoing threats to democracy — and the dangers posed by billionaire tech bros — from the Oval Office on Wednesday night.

It was one of the final big moments of Biden’s presidency, which is set to end in four days time.

Given the gravity of the speech, I thought I would go through it line by line — pulling out the stuff you really need to see. (You can read the full speech here.)

Everyone will be able to see some of Biden’s lines. But only paid subscribers will have access to the full breakdown. I put these “lines” posts behind the paywall because they take considerable time to do and because I am, as far as I can tell, the only political journalist doing this sort of careful reading of our politicians’ words.

If you’re not a paid subscriber, I hope you consider becoming one today. Not only do you get access to all of my content, you also are supporting my efforts to build a journalism career independent of the big media industry!

To the lines!

1. “After eight months of nonstop negotiation, my administration -- by my administration, a cease-fire and a hostage deal has been reached by Israel and Hamas, the elements of which I laid out in great detail in May this year.”

Donald Trump, um, disagrees.

And away we go!

2. “This will be my final address to you from -- the American people from the Oval Office, from this desk as president. And I have been thinking a lot about who we are, and, maybe more importantly, who we should be.”

He has also been thinking a lot about what his legacy will be. Which is not a criticism! But this speech is absolutely aimed at trying to shape his legacy — on his way out the door.

3. “Like America, the Statue of Liberty is not standing still. Her foot literally steps forward atop a broken chain of human bondage.”

I mean, she is a statue. So, her foot is not “literally” moving forward. I get the metaphor though.

4. “She's on the march, and she literally moves.”

I feel like we need to go through what “literally” literally means.

5. “She was built to sway back and forth to withstand the fury of stormy weather.”

I did not know this! But it is SO cool. This is from the Statue’s official website: “The statue can sway up to 3 inches and the torch up to 6 inches.”