Biden makes pledge at South Carolina church on last full day in office: 'I'm not going anywhere'

President Biden vowed to stick around in public life following his departure from the White House, telling a South Carolina church congregation on Sunday, "I'm not going anywhere." 

On the topic of clemency, Biden commended himself for issuing more commutations and individual pardons than "any other president in American history," adding that he also aspired to "end the federal death penalty" by commuting most sentences to life in prison without parole. The president also said he commuted the sentences of individuals "serving disproportionately hard, long, and harsh sentences for nonviolent drug offenses" and showed "mercy" for individuals who did their time or served a significant amount of time and "have shown significant remorse and rehabilitation."

"These decisions are difficult. Some have never been done before, but, in my experience, with my conscience, I believe taking together justice and mercy requires as a nation to bear witness, to see people's pain, not to look away and do the work, to move pain to purpose, to show we can get a person, a nation, to a day of redemption," Biden said. "We know the struggle to redeem the soul of this nation is difficult and ongoing."

"As I close out this journey with you, I'm just as passionate about our work as I was as a 29-year-old kid when I got elected," Biden added. "I'm in no ways tired." 

Vice President Kamala Harris headed the Democratic ticket in Biden's place and suffered a decisive defeat by Trump in November.

Biden was the oldest U.S. president sworn into office four years ago. Trump, 78, will eclipse that record by a few months on Monday.