THE former US president, Joe Bidenbelieves that his country is going through “dark days”, and urged them Americans to remain optimistic. In a statement on Sunday, he asked the American people not to give up in the face of what he says they are attacks on free speech and tests of the limits of executive powerby the president Donald Trump.

“Since its founding, America has served as a beacon for the most powerful idea ever in the history of government.», Biden said Sunday. “This idea is stronger than any army. We are stronger than any dictator».

Biden, 82, was speaking publicly for the first time since completing a round of radiation therapy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He spoke to an audience in Boston after receiving the Total Contribution Award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.

He emphasized that America relies on a presidency with limited powersin one functional Congress and in one independent judiciary. With the federal government in the second-longest shutdown in history, Trump has used the funding gap to wield new power over the government.

“Friends, I can’t sugarcoat any of this. These are dark daysBiden said. He predicted that the country would “xrediscovers her true compasss” and will “emerge, as always, stronger, wiser, more resilient, fairer if we keep the faith».

Biden cited examples of people standing up to the current administration’s threats, citing federal employees resigning in protest, as well as universities and comedians targeted by Trump.

“Late-night show hosts still shine a light on free speech knowing they’re risking their careers“, he said.

Biden also referred to Republican officials voting against the Trump administration.

“America is not a fairy tale“, he said. “For 250 years, it’s been a constant tug-of-war, an existential struggle between risk and possibility».

He concluded his speech by telling citizens to “stand up again».

The Democratic politician left the White House in January after serving one term as president. He dropped out of the re-election bid under pressure after a disastrous phone fight with Trump and concerns about his age, health and mental capacity. He endorsed his running mate, Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump last November.

In May, the former president’s office announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones.