In an interview on Good Morning America in October, First Lady Jill Biden shared her thoughts about her time in the White House and President Joe Biden’s choice not to seek reelection.
Conducted by ABC News’ Deborah Roberts, the interview offered a glimpse into the couple’s lifelong dedication to public service and their plans for the future.
“I’ve had such a great four years,” Jill Biden told Roberts while walking through the White House. Though she admitted that departing would be challenging, she expressed readiness for “a new chapter of our lives. A new journey.”
With more than five decades of political experience, both Jill and Joe Biden feel equipped for their next adventure. “We’ve been in politics for over 50 years. I think we’re ready for the new journey,” she affirmed. “It was the right call.”
President Biden’s decision to bow out of the 2024 race was monumental. Amid concerns about his age and a heated debate with former President Donald Trump in July, he announced that he would not run for reelection. He asserted in a heartfelt letter to the nation that his decision was in the best interest of the Democratic Party and the United States.
The decision, which ended months of speculation, was met with appreciation from allies and Democratic leaders for his leadership and selflessness. This decision marks him as the first incumbent president since Lyndon B. Johnson to opt out of running for reelection.
During the interview, Jill Biden discussed her initiatives, including a revamped White House tour she spearheaded. The tour is intended to give visitors a deeper insight into the presidency and American democracy. “I wanted people to learn about the history of this incredible building and what it represents,” she said, highlighting her enthusiasm for education, a crucial aspect of her tenure as First Lady. The enhanced tour features new digital displays, tangible artifacts, and access to iconic rooms like the China Room.
As the Bidens prepare to leave the White House, they are reflective but focused on the future. They see this next phase as an opportunity to step back from public scrutiny while continuing to support causes that are important to them.
“I’ve been fortunate to be part of something truly historic,” Jill Biden concluded. “But now, it’s time for something new.”
Joe Biden’s White House tenure was marked by numerous accomplishments. Among them was the most ambitious climate agenda in U.S. history, with the Biden administration making unprecedented investments in clean energy and creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the American energy sector.
The administration’s flagship achievement, the Inflation Reduction Act, is the largest climate legislation ever enacted in U.S. history. It commits the nation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% by 2030. “The Biden administration has taken unprecedented action on climate change, setting ambitious goals and policies to transition the U.S. to a 100% clean energy economy,” stated the American Progress report.
Under Biden’s leadership, over 271,000 new clean energy jobs were created, sparking a manufacturing renaissance in clean energy. The administration prioritized environmental justice, directing at least 40% of climate investments to disadvantaged communities.
In April 2024, the EPA’s Solar for All program secured $7 billion in grants. This funding will provide residential solar power to more than 900,000 low-income households, leading to an estimated annual savings of $350 million for these families. The launch of the American Climate Corps, inspired by the Civilian Conservation Corps, will employ over 20,000 young Americans in climate-related projects.
The Biden administration’s climate achievements span beyond domestic borders. “The Biden administration has worked to restore American leadership at the UN and address global challenges that require international cooperation,” a White House report stated, highlighting the rekindling of U.S.-China climate diplomacy and the securing of the first global consensus to transition away from fossil fuels.
First Lady Jill Biden concentrated on education initiatives. She announced that 34 states and Washington, DC now offer free community college programs, a significant increase from about 50 programs when the America’s College Promise Initiative started in 2015.
U.S. spending on energy transition reached a record $303 billion in 2022, but additional investment will be required to achieve net-zero emissions goals. The administration also invested $3.5 billion in carbon dioxide removal projects and put in place new standards to reduce methane emissions.
Over 41 million acres of lands and waters were protected under the administration, including the establishment of new national monuments and wildlife refuges.