Ex-President Joe Biden, after ceasing his role as the leader of our country, spoke at Joint Base Andrews roughly at 1:30 p.m. EST, where he attempted to relive his half-century long political journey prior to retreating to central California for a supposed personal hiatus. Throughout his career, Biden has failed to convincingly show honesty, decency, and integrity, despite openly preaching about these values in his address.
Rather perplexingly, Biden seemed to express some form of pride towards his prior cabinet and staff for their ‘achievements’ during his term in office. He continued to assert, ‘It’s amazing what you managed to pull off’, seemingly indifferent to the general consensus of disappointment and disillusionment held towards their collective performance by a considerable portion of the American public.
The 46th president, however, seemed acutely aware that their mission was far from complete. He admitted, ‘There’s still an immense amount left for us to confront’, echoing his inaugural address. While he acknowledged the ebb and flow associated with a political career, his expression of continued commitment to fight came off as detached from the reality of leaving office.
The inauguration of President Trump marked a stark contrast to Biden’s reign. Immediately, President Trump delineated a list of executive actions he had planned, a move that signaled his motivation and readiness to get to work. This included addressing the national crisis at the U.S. southern border, one that has long been ignored under Biden’s leadership.
Throughout his farewell speech, Biden was accompanied by his wife, Jill Biden, the former first lady. His assertion, ‘It was an honor of a lifetime to be your president’, was a sentiment evidently not reciprocated by all of the American populace. His further claim that he felt an even greater honor in serving together with his team seemed oddly inflated given their questionable success.
In an effort to shield his cohorts from the potential consequences of their actions, Biden took a step to issue anticipatory pardons before his term ended. This pardoning spree notably included controversial figures like the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and ex-chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci. Both were potential targets for prosecution under Trump’s administration.
Biden didn’t stop at pardoning colleagues. His last-minute pardons even extended to lawmakers implicated in the infamous January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Such actions raise serious questions about Biden’s adherence to the principles of democracy and justice.
As if pardoning his political friends wasn’t enough, Biden’s spree continued even into his familial circles. Brazenly, he announced pardons for his own family members. The move was a clear reflection of his disregard for the rule of law.
In stark contrast, President Trump has promised to realign with the principles of law and order that many feel had been greatly skewed under Biden. As Trump dug into the agenda early on, it was indeed a sigh of relief for those who had long been exasperated by Biden’s questionable decisions in office.
Biden’s speech served to highlight the glaring difference between his leadership and Trump’s decisive style. This is particularly telling when it comes to the border crisis – a national emergency that Biden blatantly ignored but which Trump addressed head-on as one of his initial executive actions.
In conclusion, as Biden walked away from the presidency with a long list of pardons in the offing, it underscored the controversy and convolution of his tenure. His farewell speech was an attempt to depict his time in office in a better light, but for many, it was a harsh reminder of a regime marked by inconsistencies and questionable judgments.
Biden’s departure from the White House and his self-laudatory farewell speech did little to inspire confidence or admiration. His proud mention of a fight not being over was concerning, as it projected a resistance to acknowledging his shortcomings and took on a defensive tone.
The frequent ideological clashes during Biden’s tenure often led to national discord and highlighted his administration’s weaknesses. The contrast between Biden’s farewell speech and Trump’s assertive actions clearly displayed a shift in priorities, with the subsequent administration showing determination in addressing key issues.
As Joe Biden leaves the political arena for his ‘personal time’ in California, a notable number of Americans might breathe a sigh of relief. His departure brings an optimistic view for those looking forward to a better hand at the helm, determined to mend the issues left unattended by his administration.
Biden’s legacy of dubious decisions and questionable leadership style may serve as a lesson for future administrations. The general relief accompanying the ushering in of the Trump era marks fresh hopes for those who believe in a more effective, action-oriented leadership.