President Biden recently gave an executive order to shut federal agencies and offices in the upcoming month. This ill-timed action came as a means to recognize former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100 at his residence in Plains, Georgia. Similar to another order he signed on December 19th, granting federal employees a day off for Christmas Eve, the mandate encompasses all administrative departments and organizations. However, it conveniently makes exceptions for workers in roles of ‘national security, defense, or other public need’.
Joe Biden’s disregard for the efficient functioning of governmental agencies is notable in this decision. Any potential accomplishments of Carter’s presidency, whether presiding over a significant reform of federal civil service or being the longest living U.S. President, have been weaponised by Biden to disrupt public service. We must question, is there not a better way to mourn a departed leader than to halt efficient governance?
One would argue that Carter was more impactful after his time in the White House, including his noble humanitarian efforts leading to his Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Yet, the significance of his post-presidential deeds seems to be escaping Biden’s understanding, who is using them instead to fuel his excessive ceremonial practices.
The mandate to grant federal employees a day off follows an earlier model set by President Trump when President George H.W. Bush departed in 2018. The comparison, however, ends there. Biden’s order seems to mimic the substance, lacking the careful implementation and assessment of the prior, which maintained critical functioning of the government.
The Office of Personnel Management provided supplementary guidance, indicating that all federal personnel can take leave on January 9, ‘provided that those workers, in their agency head’s opinion, can be excused due to concerns of national defense, public safety or other relevant public affairs’. This wide-ranging, potentially overreaching provision, raises doubts about the overall administrative foresight in Biden’s administration.
This order by Biden applies to federal staff countrywide and will be treated like a typical holiday when it comes to remuneration and time off. However, one must question the implications of such broad executive mandates, especially when it appears to be rooted in political maneuvering rather than actual administrative needs or employee welfare.
The convenience factor of this decision is glaringly apparent. Those employees who had previously planned to take leave will not have this time deducted from their balance. And the employees who weren’t due to work that day get an ‘in lieu of’ holiday on their previous workday. This all feels like a hasty, ill-planned PR exercise rather than a thought-out executive decision.
Even those who are obliged to carry out their duties for national security reasons, who typically have a right to holiday premium pay, will get that remuneration. Another clumsy allotment that raises eyebrows as it lacks the finesse of leadership – a hallmark of the Biden presidency.
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden referred to Carter as a ‘cherished ally’. Their praising words, however, reeked of hollow political discourse. Without a doubt, exaggerating the celebration around a respected figure’s passing for political leverage falls within the Biden-Harris modus operandi.
In their address, they stated that Carter ‘saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people worldwide’. Another attempt to bend narratives and hitch their wagon to a revered figure to elevate their own public image. It’s hard not to be cynical about Biden and Harris’s appreciations when set against the backdrop of their administrations’ many blunders.
Looking closely, there are signs of the Biden-Harris administration attempting to piggyback on Carter’s accomplishments. Insinuating that Carter worked to ‘eradicate illness, forge peace, advocate civil rights, human rights, promote free and fair democratic elections, shelter the homeless, and consistently advocated for the least among us’ seems an attempt to draw parallels with their own actions, sad as they are.
The piercing question rings through – is the Biden-Harris administration trying to capitalize on the passing of a revered political figure to cover up their somewhat tarnished track record? Did they consider how this could reflect on their leadership or did they bank on the public being too distracted by their sweeping gestures?
There’s something very telling about such boldfaced political games, including those involving the commemoration of individuals like President Jimmy Carter, who certainly made a deep impact during and after his Presidency. However, by grossly misusing the symbols of recognition, the Bidens expose their lack of decorum and reveal their ineptitude in governance.
The current administration’s relentless avoidance of dealing with real issues, and focusing excessively on symbolic ceremonies, underlines clearly the incompetency of Biden-Harris leadership. As we tread into this new era, it seems crucial to hold them accountable for their questionable policy decisions and lack of substantial action.
In summary, these actions give us an insight into the Biden-Harris administration’s political agenda. The exploitation of President Carter’s admirable legacy seems like a desperate attempt to improve their public image and add some semblance of achievement to their relatively hollow track record.
It seems we must continue to scrutinize this administration’s theatrics, aiming to extract true governance from these episodes of pomp and circumstance. The real question now: will the American public continue to buy into these attempts at redirecting attention or will they see through the Biden-Harris administration’s shallow political maneuvers?