U.S. — Former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton issued messages on Saturday regarding the 250th anniversary of the United States. Their statements addressed the state of the nation's democracy and the need for civic engagement.

Former President Obama wrote in a social media post that "America is, and always has been, a constant work in progress." He added that continuing this work is "more important than ever" 250 years after the founding of the United States. Obama wrote that "Every generation must take up the unfinished work of the last and carry it further — protecting what's right, fixing what's wrong, and making our union a little more perfect."

Former President Biden described the Declaration of Independence as "a promise" to the nation from the Founding Fathers. Biden wrote on social platform X, "Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of Americans signed their names to a piece of parchment and made a promise no nation had ever made before: that we're all created equal." He stated that while Americans have not fully lived up to the words in the Declaration of Independence, the principle has not been completely abandoned. "Now it's our turn. There's nothing guaranteed about our democracy," Biden wrote. He added, "We have to fight for it, defend it, and earn it. Over and over, year after year. That's not a burden. That's what it means to be an American."

Former President Bush stated Americans need to take an active interest in the health and wellbeing of the country and democracy. "It requires Americans to vote, to be involved in the democratic process," Bush said. He stated that the capacity to vote and determine the country's future is a "powerful freedom."

Former President Clinton issued a statement regarding the nation's current political climate. "Today, we celebrate this milestone in another period of deep division, renewed questions about America's future and role in the world," Clinton wrote. He stated that the country faces "threats to our own institutions and to our democracy itself." Clinton also wrote that there is still nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what's right with America. He accused those in power of weaponizing the government and judicial system while attempting to "rewrite history."

Why It Matters

The messages from the former presidents coincide with recent polling indicating declines in patriotism and growing pessimism about the state of American democracy. These surveys show fewer Americans consider democracy central to U.S. identity, with majorities expressing dissatisfaction regarding the functioning of current democratic processes.