US President Joe Biden, in his farewell address from the White House, reflected on his four years in office and more than 50 years in politics, expressing confidence that the achievements of his administration would “bloom for decades to come.”

“You know, it will take time to feel the full impact of all we’ve done together, but the seeds are planted, and they’ll grow, and they’ll bloom for decades to come,” Biden said on Wednesday as he prepared to leave office.

Biden steps down as a largely unpopular president and faces a successor, President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to reverse much of Biden’s work as swiftly as possible. Despite this, Biden remains optimistic that history will judge his presidency more favorably over time.

Drawing parallels with past presidents, Biden expressed hope for a legacy akin to President Jimmy Carter, who left office amid criticism but later gained admiration for his global humanitarian efforts and earned a Nobel Peace Prize.

Like many of his predecessors, Biden used his farewell address to issue a warning to the nation. He highlighted what he described as a growing threat to American democracy posed by extreme wealth and power concentrated in the hands of a few.

“I have no doubt that America is in a position to continue to succeed,” Biden said. “But tonight, in my farewell address, I want to warn the country of some things that give me great concern. This is a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people.”

Biden cautioned about the consequences of unchecked power, saying, “An oligarchy is taking shape in America—of extreme wealth, power, and influence—that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.”

Reflecting on historical parallels, Biden noted how Americans in the past stood up against such challenges, referencing the era of the robber barons over a century ago. “The American people stood up to the robber barons back then and busted the trusts. They didn’t punish the wealthy. They just made the wealthy play by the same rules as everyone else,” he said.

In his address, Biden sought to reassure Americans of the nation’s resilience and potential, while emphasizing the need to safeguard democracy and equality for future generations.