President Joe Biden began his farewell address in the Oval Office on Wednesday night, focusing on what he sees as his administration's key accomplishments and looking back on his half-century in American politics.

The president said he wishes the incoming Trump administration success. He also warned that "oligarchy" threatens democracies.

"This is not just about his last four years in office. He is stepping down from his career," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday.

"So you can imagine the president has a lot to say, a lot of thoughts that he wants to share that really touch upon the moment that we're in right now," she added.

In a letter Wednesday previewing a prime-time address, Biden praised continued job growth, lower prescription drug costs and investments in clean energy to combat climate change.

He described the early days of his administration as a battle to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic and a "dangerous winter" and said Americans had united to "bravely get through it."

"We are stronger, more prosperous, and more secure," Biden said in the letter.

Biden also highlighted his economic record, particularly continued labor market growth.

In a statement last week, Biden praised the final monthly jobs report of his term, saying more than 16.6 million new jobs had been created since he took office and that his administration was "historically... The only government that creates jobs every month.”

Biden may be able to add a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to his administration's list of accomplishments.

In his farewell speech, he highlighted the new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, noting that much of it would be implemented by the incoming Trump administration.

If the deal announced Wednesday afternoon goes into effect this weekend as planned, it would be a major breakthrough in a long-running war that has strained Biden's presidency and prompted criticism within his party.

Biden did not mention President-elect Donald Trump by name in his letter, referring to him indirectly.

"I ran for president because I believed that the soul of America was at stake. Our very essence was at stake. And that remains the case," he said.

Jean-Pierre said Biden wanted to "stay positive" and "talk about what we've been able to do." She also said the speech "will not be partisan."

In his letter, Biden reflected on his upbringing and life as a public official in a personal tone. "Nowhere else on earth could a kid from humble beginnings and a stutter" serve in the halls of Congress for 50 years, as vice president and eventually in the Oval Office.

"I gave my heart and soul to our country. In return, I was blessed a million times with the love and support of the American people," he said.

Biden has yet to outline specific details of his post-presidential plans.

Three administration officials said he and the first lady planned to travel to central California directly from the inauguration to spend some private time. The couple plans to stay in Santa Barbara County, although wildfires in Los Angeles may affect their plans, officials said.

Biden was asked by reporters last week about his post-presidential plans: Will he speak out after his term as president is over, or will he be "out of sight, out of mind?"

“I’m not going away, I’m not disappearing,” Biden responded.