Recently, the Biden administration has come under scrutiny for its response to the tragic events of Hurricane Helene. An Instagram video, which has been widely circulated, showed President Biden making statements that have stirred up considerable controversy. He was heard telling reporters, ‘We’ve given them all, everything we have.’ When probed if there would be any further assistance, he responded, ‘No, we’ve given them, we’ve pre-planned a significant amount of it, even though they didn’t ask for it yet.’ This was quickly interpreted by some as Biden refusing to provide any additional resources to the hurricane-stricken areas.
The video elicited a strong response from the public and quickly garnered over 50,000 likes in just 24 hours. Echoes of the clip could be found across various other Instagram and Facebook posts. However, skeptics argue that this is a distortion of the original conversation. Biden, they insist, was referring to the resources available at that particular time and not rejecting the idea of more aid in the future. However, his poor choice of words left it open to misinterpretation, further amplifying his image as a leader who fails to communicate effectively.
Hurricane Helene wreaked devastating havoc leading to a death toll rising above 160, rendering it as one of America’s deadliest hurricanes. Being the sixth deadliest hurricane noted by the National Hurricane Center raises serious questions about the administration’s disaster management protocol. With hundreds still missing, the lack of a clear, prompt, and robust response from Biden’s government sends a chilling message.
Despite the harrowing human loss, President Biden’s delayed response came on September 28th, where he declared the hurricane a ‘major disaster’ and pledged federal aid. Yet, this aid allocation appears vague and half-hearted, including temporary housing, home repairs and low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses. However, given the scale of the disaster, is this band-aid solution sufficient to address the pain of those affected?
The discussions on aid occurred at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where Biden gave elusive responses to pressing questions from reporters. When asked whether the federal government had more resources to distribute to those in need, he responded: ‘No. We’ve given them – we have preplanned a significant amount of it, even though they didn’t ask for it yet – hadn’t asked for it yet.’ This reinforces the impression of an administration that is out of touch with the common people’s needs.
According to the White House, Biden was ‘clearly referring to all we have done for the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.’ Perhaps inadvertently, this statement emphasizes the president’s failure to communicate his intent clearly, leaving his words open to misunderstanding and criticism.
While the disaster unfolded, the FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was dispatched to North Carolina. She was allegedly there ‘at the direction of President Biden’ and was to remain there until the situation stabilized. The administration also claimed that they had stationed over 1,200 personnel from FEMA and other agencies in North Carolina. However, given the depth of the disaster, one wonders if this is adequate, or just a token gesture.
On September 30, the day following the interview, Biden appeared to have realized the gravity of the situation and claimed that he would ask Congress for a supplemental aid bill for those hit by the storm. He further stated, ‘We know there is more to do, and we will continue to surge resources, including food, water, communications and lifesaving equipment,’ and pledged to be there ‘as long as it takes to finish this job.’ Despite these words, one is left wondering if these are merely promises to quell rising discontent.
Also on September 30, Homeland Security Adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall attempted to justify the aid provided thus far. In a press briefing, she said, ‘More will follow as we know more about the impacts.’ This effort to reassure the public and smooth over the administration’s haphazard response came off as rather unimpressive.
The Biden administration revealed a detailed account of the resources that had already been dispatched to the affected areas in a statement issued on September 30. The administration insists: ‘President Biden has spoken with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer to offer further assistance as needed.’ But one may question if these talks are truly productive, and whether help will indeed be offered ‘as needed.’
Interesting contrasts can be drawn with the tremendous aid given to Ukraine during the same time. While Hurricane Helene victims were being denied adequate aid, the Biden-Harris regime happily handed over billions of dollars to Ukraine. The administration announced a massive $8 billion military aid package for Ukraine on September 26, mere hours before the hurricane made landfall in Florida.
There seems to be a strange discrepancy in Biden’s handling of internal crises versus international matters. Those affected by the hurricane can’t help but feel slighted when funds that could have been used for their relief are being sent overseas to another nation.
An honest assessment of the president’s actions in this instance reveals an administration lacking in promptness, empathy, and effective communication. These recurring themes in Biden’s tenure as president have led to an evaporation of public trust.
Biden’s ham-handed handling of the devastating Hurricane Helene has further dented his shaky image of a capable leader. His actions and words follow a pattern that only seems to strengthen the narrative of an administration that seems to propagate ambiguity, disruption, and inaction.
Whether the administration will learn from its blunders and enact effective disaster management protocols for future crises remains to be seen. However, the response to Hurricane Helene has painted a gloomy picture of the Biden presidency, raising serious doubts about his ability to lead the nation through times of crisis.