Biden Memoir Calls Trump's Jan. 6 Role an Insurrection That Will Follow Him

Former President Joe Biden released excerpts from his upcoming memoir that offer a sharp critique of President Donald Trump, specifically targeting the events of January 6, 2021. In passages published by The Atlantic on Monday, Biden argues that the conduct of that day defines Trump's legacy. He states, "What Trump did on January 6, 2021, should never be forgotten. It should follow him to his grave." This assessment marks one of the most direct criticisms Biden has issued since leaving office.

Biden characterizes the Capitol assault as an insurrection led by Trump. He takes issue with the sweeping pardons granted to defendants from that day, asserting that those who attacked law enforcement officers "didn't deserve pardons." Instead, he wrote, they deserved prison terms. The former president challenges the current administration's stance on public safety, noting that supporters of law enforcement cannot "turn a blind eye to cops being punched, speared, sprayed, and brutalized."

The book, titled "Promise Me, America," is set to release on November 17. It includes a detailed account of the final presidential briefing between Biden and Trump in 2024. Biden describes Trump's demeanor as "bordering on fawning." He recalls Trump telling him, "if it weren't for politics, I believe we'd be good friends." Biden noted that the comment left him too stunned to respond immediately.

During the roughly two hour meeting, Biden attempted to provide an overview of global issues he believed would dominate the next term. He observed that Trump focused heavily on the personalities of foreign leaders rather than substantive policy matters. Biden described the interaction as resembling gossip at a dinner party rather than a discussion of global significance. He stated that he cut off Trump's compliments to move the conversation along.

In a September interview with Time magazine, Trump acknowledged he was considering pardons for members of his administration before his term ends. He cited the preemptive pardons issued by Biden as a precedent. Those earlier pardons included Hunter Biden, other family members, lawmakers on the congressional Jan. 6 committee, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley.

Biden announced on Sunday that his ongoing cancer treatment limits his ability to promote the book as extensively as planned. He posted on X that while the illness has not stopped him, it sometimes slows him down. The White House was reached for comment on the newly released excerpts.