The transition from administration to administration has always been a sensitive period, a sort of purgatory for the outgoing and incoming presidents. Paradoxically, one such ‘lame duck’, Joe Biden, finds himself in this purgatory after the November 2024 Presidential elections. With Donald Trump preparing for his return to the presidency on January 20, the criminal justice system lies precariously on the cusp of substantial change, once again. However, the Democrat-dominated Senate seems to be losing grip on power as control insidiously slips towards the Republicans in Congress.
As an eleventh-hour strategy, it appears that Joe Biden and his Democrats intend to desperately force through around 30 pending judicial nominations for the federal bench. Much to their chagrin, this futile attempt is not only laughable but also likely to incite more resistance with President-elect Trump openly opposing such underhand techniques. Donald Trump rightfully questions the ethicality of a ‘lame-duck’ administration making critical decisions that could potentially skew the scale in their favor.
The beauty of justice is that it’s supposed to be blind and non-partisan. However, judicial appointments often betray this principle, with the party affiliation of the appointing president tending to lean judgments one way or another. It would appear that the Biden administration, in its fervor to leave a legacy, didn’t quite grasp the importance of this, given their effort to appoint judges behind the cloak of ‘diversity.’ Of course, it’s essential to question whether this approach was just a political maneuver or a tribute to judicial impartiality.
Historically, it isn’t unusual for federal judges to attempt to shape policy through their decisions, showcasing a judicial bias based on their political alignment. The Biden administration’s last few years have been a testament to this, with judges making decisions that have significantly shaped the trajectory of the first Trump administration. The influence of these judges during the next Trump administration is a developing story that only time can tell.
Anticipating the political atmosphere, judges often base their decision to retire on the administration that will choose their successor. Interestingly, Supreme Court Justices Thomas and Alito are expected to retire during Trump’s next term. In contrast, liberals’ sweetheart and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor seems to overlook this traditional wisdom. It’s a reflection of the Democrats’ refusal to play by the rules, even when they’ve been cornered.
As the Biden administration gasps for breath, it’s desperate attempts to retain relevance continue. One such desperate attempt is to hastily respond to around 8,000 clemency petitions from federal prisoners serving non-death penalty sentences. With Biden at the helm, these actions are predictably chaotic and lack adequate scrutiny, causing much strife and anguish to both the petitioner and the public.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) under Biden embarked on an ambitious project to investigate local police departments for potential civil rights violations. In classic Biden fashion, this project has turned into nothing more than a political charade as only four of the twelve investigations have been completed to date. Even these four haven’t resulted in any formal agreement or so-called ‘consent decree’, leaving the question of real change looming in the air.
Adding insult to injury, the Mayor, Craig Greenberg, announced noncommittally that he would not sign a final agreement before Trump’s administration takes office. This kind of decision should raise eyebrows, particularly when confronted by the prospect of significant changes under Trump’s watch. It seems the Dems are running a losing race against time, trying to enact empty policies without a clear direction.
With Trump’s return looming over the horizon, it’s expected that a reshuffling of priorities will occur, especially concerning the investigations carried out by the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. As experienced during Trump’s first administration, these politically motivated investigations will likely come to an abrupt end. This move would only serve to expose the vindictive and shallow intentions behind such investigations.
Trump and his team have expressed their desire to realign the Civil Rights Division, redefining its focus and operations. Once a bastion for the administration’s fight against a deluge of special interests, radicals, and left-wing ideologues, Trump’s vision is to restore order to the chaos left in Biden’s wake. It reflects a much-needed move towards objectivity rather than the blatant favoritism which marred the previous administration’s tenure.
Ultimately, the transition of power from Biden to Trump is not only a reflection of changing times but also an opportunity to rectify past wrongs. It’s a chance for Trump’s administration to sweep away the remnants of Biden’s policies, replacing them with a focus on justice, fairness, and balanced perspectives. With trust in government at an all-time low, the incoming administration must now restore this faith.
Shaking off Biden’s administrative debris and their opaque strategies is no small task for Trump’s second term. However, if there is any administration capable of such a feat, it would undoubtedly be one led by Donald Trump. The President-elect’s straightforward approach promises a refreshing change from the manipulative policies pushed by Biden and his followers.
Belittling Biden’s hasty last-minute attempts to solidify his legacy, the dawn of Trump’s term stands as a beacon of hope for many. The chaff will be separated from the wheat, as anyone tainted by Biden’s influence becomes a persona non grata in the new order. Thus, a new era of impartiality and justice is on the horizon, promising an end to the derailing policies of the Biden administration.