In the last throes of his administration, President Biden is engaging in policy maneuvers, ostensibly in environmental justice, penitentiary adjustments, and immigrants’ concerns. His recent decrees involved inaugurating two national monuments in the state of California. In an attempt to make an indelible stamp on his time in office, he has churned out numerous eleventh-hour policy choices designed to safeguard his political objectives and construct roadblocks for President-elect Donald J. Trump’s incoming plans.
Biden’s last-minute directives encompass a variety of areas, such as environmental justice, prison reform, immigration, and international relations. These strategies are either an attempt to perpetuate Biden’s so-called legacy or desperate and misguided attempts to widen his influence. Unfortunately for him, a majority of these are likely to be reversed swiftly when President Trump assumes office.
The activity in Biden’s camp has garnered the attention of Trump, who candidly confessed through a social media post early this month that Biden was trying his utmost to turn the transition process into a complicated maze. He, however, assured his followers not to worry, as these ‘orders’ were to be terminated soon, demonstrating a complete disregard for Biden’s efforts.
White House officials, brushing off any allegations of transition hurdles, have stated that Biden has instructed his team to facilitate a smooth power transition. Several significant actions undertaken by Biden as he neared the end of his term were highlighted.
Last week, Biden’s latest environmental initiative came in the form of a drilling prohibition announcement. The moratorium covered new oil and gas extraction across more than 625 million acres of US coastal territories, sparking outrage from critics who believed the measure was overly severe and unfounded. It was presented as a bid to conserve the environment and ensure public health, but many skeptics saw it as an overreach of executive power with little regard for economic implications.
President-elect Trump was among those who voiced their displeasure at Biden’s drilling ban. He criticized the measure as ‘ridiculous’ and vowed to overturn it, questioning its environmental benefits and denouncing its adverse impact on the energy sector and job creation. Trump’s promised revocation of the ban demonstrated his willingness to question the feasibility and effectiveness of such decisions.
It appears as though, in the twilight of his tenure, Biden has chosen to overlook the economic ramifications of his decisions as he issued proclamation after proclamation in a futile attempt to solidify an already shaky legacy. Rather than leaving a lasting positive impact, such policy pushes may unravel with the advent of President-elect Trump’s administration.
In the context of foreign relations, the Biden administration has also attempted to impact future policy directions. However, just as with his domestic policy choices, these gestures could be undone within moments of President Trump stepping into the Oval Office, rendering them little more than political posturing.
The penitentiary reform touted by Biden is yet another instance of his urgent measures in the face of a clear end. Though proclaimed under the guise of a progressive stance, it again follows the pattern of inconsideration towards the long-term effects and possible negative implications on the security and welfare of society.
When dissecting these measures, one must factor in the implications for immigration policy. Echoing his earlier, questionable decisions, Biden’s immigration plan emphasizes the interests of the undocumented population over those of legal citizens. These ill-guided steps have attracted criticism from various sectors of society and are likely to be revised significantly under Trump’s administration.
All these flurry of actions point out to a desperate attempt by Biden to construct a memorable finale for his administration, more like a misguided swansong, which ignores the broader American population’s needs. Contrarily, President Trump’s stance appears to be more grounded, focusing on rectification instead of rhetoric.
As the final days of the Biden era draw to a close, the President-elect is left with a convoluted tangle of policy decisions. However, it’s clear Trump is prepared to unravel these knots, promising an administration centered around the interests of the American people rather than advancing personal political agendas.
Where Biden attempted to lay down landmines for his successor, Trump seems ready to defuse them. It signals a promising start to his presidency, demonstrating his resilience in the face of adversity, a trait not often seen in his predecessor.
In the end, Biden’s fear tactics and frantic emissions of executive orders might be nothing but a blip on the political radar. The American people, anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new era, unfazed by these efforts, are more interested in the change that President-elect Trump has promised to bring.
Overall, the outgoing administration’s last-minute attempts to leave their mark have proven more disruptive than constructive. As the country awaits the arrival of President-elect Trump, there is an air of hope that his administration will make decisions based on the real needs of the American people, shifting away from the theatrical performances of the recent past.