Joe Biden has used his first speech since leaving office to criticise the Trump administration’s welfare policies, writes BBC.

The ex-US president told a conference in Chicago that the government had “taken a hatchet” the social security system, which Donald Trump and Elon Musk - who is leading the White House’s cost-cutting efforts - claim is beset by fraud.

The administration wants to cut staff at the agency responsible for spending USD 1.6 trillion in benefits a year. Biden did not refer to Trump by name during his speech on Tuesday, but said: “In fewer than 100 days, this new administration has done so much damage and so much destruction. It’s kind of breath-taking”.

He described social security as a “sacred promise”, adding: “We know just how much social security matters to people’s lives”.

Biden - who was speaking at a disability rights event - did not address his departure from the White House or the 2024 presidential election during his remarks.