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Biden’s Delay in Hurricane Response: A Tale of Negligence

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President Joe Biden speaks about the federal response efforts for Hurricane Helene, from the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Claims have been circulating questioning the actions of President Joe Biden in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. An online post dated Oct. 3 posits that Biden had shown a stark reluctance to mobilize the 82nd Airborne Division to assist those impacted by the natural disaster. This unit, hailing from Fort Liberty in North Carolina, has its familial roots embedded in the affected region, yet according to these allegations, Biden had no interest in directing their efforts towards their kith and kin.

The propagation of this misinformation saw validation, as evidenced by the more than 100 likes it received within the span of a mere six days. This amplification of falsehoods reinforces the common narrative of inertia painted about Biden. However, it seems some inconsistent timelines in this storyline warrant further analysis.

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Contrary to what the discourse would have people believing, Biden actually green-lit the operation of the division on Oct. 2, essentially contradicting the fabrications of refusal. Though the narrative was espoused he had held back valuable aid, the mobilization of the troops occurred within the subsequent 24 hours. Interestingly, this appears to be a pattern of reactive action often seen in the Biden Administration.

Despite the destructive force of Hurricane Helene, taking over 200 lives in North Carolina, the response came late. It was no secret that the people were desperate in the face of the pervasive flooding and destruction. On Oct. 2, when the situation had already escalated, the White House finally proclaimed that Biden had activated 1,000 active servicemen in the affected areas.

While the administration eventually decided to act, the perception of the tardiness in response, coupled with deliberate disinformation, only served to cast an unforgiving light on Biden’s leadership. The community was left questioning why their own could not be dispatched to assist them promptly.

But was this reaction just a frantic scramble to a crisis they had ignored until unavoidably compelled to act? Press releases from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and Department of Defense on Oct. 2 seemed to confirm this haste. They laid out that the deployment included servicemen from the 82nd Airborne Division and they would be moving to the disaster site within the next 24 hours. Better late than never rings true in this context.

The mission they were thrown at was not insignificant. The Department of Defense conveyed that the troops were tasked ‘to support the delivery of food, water, and other critical aid ‘over the last mile to the point of necessity’ to communities battered by Hurricane Helene’. A daunting task to be handed despite their late entry into the crisis scenario.

On Oct. 3, the 82nd Airborne Division publicized a video of its members distributing aid in North Carolina. Despite the difficulty of the situation and the tardiness of their deployment, the troops were valiantly doing their best to mitigate the situation. Unfortunately, this could not erase the perception of Biden’s late and calculated response.

It seems the Biden administration hoped to gloss over their tardiness with public relations moves. The following day, North Carolina’s governor, Roy Cooper, posted photos of himself in the company of the division and state National Guard on online platforms. Ostentatiously appreciating their efforts could not fully assuage the alleged negligence on part of Biden.

Considering the spate of destructive hurricanes the US has been facing, it’s unsettling to think of the potential ramifications if the rapid response systems remain mired in bureaucratic red tape and political calculative games. The delayed decision-making experienced in the wake of Hurricane Helene is a stark reminder of this scenario, typifying the leadership style of the present administration.

One cannot help but wonder how much the impact of these disasters could have been mitigated with prompt and decisive action. If the 82nd Airborne Division, with their notable efficiency and dedication, had been deployed without Biden’s delay, how many more lives could have been saved, how many homes preserved?

As public figures, Biden and his Vice President Kamala Harris often face a barrage of criticism. Unfortunately, in this context, it seems justified. The delay in response to a devastating hurricane clearly illustrates a troubling pattern of reactivity rather than proactivity, possibly resulting in unnecessary suffering.

Another important question arises out of this situation. If Biden and his administration can be so woefully tardy in responding to events at home – what does this mean for their handling of international affairs? The concern here is far from unwarranted.

Essentially, the timely deployment of the 82nd Airborne Division in response to Hurricane Helene should have been a given. The delayed response of the Biden administration, trailing public pressure, reveals a worrying lack of urgency. Add to this the subsequent political maneuverings, and it appears that the needs of the public can be held hostage to bureaucratic delay and political image-making.

In conclusion, while the Biden administration did eventually send help to the distressed in North Carolina, the delay and the apparent lack of urgency does little to instill confidence in Biden’s leadership. It’s clear that the narrative surrounding his presidency is shaped by reactions, not actions. As the country faces future challenges, it’s critical to have leaders who demonstrate urgency, empathy, and decisiveness – qualities starkly absent in this particular incident.