Former President Joe Biden made a rare public appearance Monday, and he had some pointed questions about America's role in the world. Speaking at an event tied to his presidential library, Biden pushed back hard against the foreign policy direction under President Donald Trump, framing the stakes in stark terms.

The Leadership Vacuum Question

"If we don't lead, who leads the world? Russia? China?" Biden said. "We have to. We owe it to our own families, we owe it to the world and we can get it done."

It's been a quiet few months for Biden since leaving office in January. According to a spokesperson, he's been dealing with health issues—specifically prostate cancer—and wrapped up a course of radiation therapy back in October. So this public event marked a notable return to the spotlight.

Policy Reversals and NATO Under Scrutiny

Biden's warnings aren't happening in a vacuum. The Trump administration has been systematically dismantling Biden-era initiatives, canceling clean energy projects, removing Biden appointees, and even challenging the validity of executive actions that were signed using an autopen.

But the bigger story might be what's happening with U.S. alliances. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has introduced legislation to pull the United States out of NATO entirely. He's got support from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) is pushing companion legislation in the Senate. That's a pretty significant challenge to the transatlantic alliance that's anchored American foreign policy for over 75 years.

Biden struck similar notes back in January during a farewell speech to service members, highlighting U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO's eastern flank. "If we don't lead the world, who will lead the world?" he asked then, essentially previewing Monday's message.

Economic Criticism and Student Loan Battles

The foreign policy debate isn't the only arena where Biden and his allies are taking shots at Trump's record. Earlier this year, Biden and Fox News host Jessica Tarlov criticized Trump's handling of the economy, student loans, and international relations.

Tarlov argued that Trump made economic conditions worse, withheld critical data, and presided over rising layoffs, higher grocery and utility costs, and a contracting manufacturing sector.

On student loans, the Trump administration has proposed ending Biden's SAVE relief program, which could force more than 7.6 million borrowers back into repayment. The projected cost? About $342 billion over ten years.

Biden also went after Trump's broader foreign policy vision earlier this year, calling his proposals on Greenland, Canada, and Ukraine reckless and warning they could undermine NATO and American global standing.