Biden Implements Tactics to Undermine Start of Trump Administration
President Joe Biden is making active efforts to solidify his policy legacy as Donald Trump prepares to assume the presidency.
Biden's latest moves seek to challenge and delay the incoming Trump administration’s efforts to roll back a host of administration policies, as the Daily Mail reports.
Among these measures, Biden is adjusting the order of succession within various federal agencies. This strategic move ensures that staff sympathetic to his agenda remain at the helm, managing operations until Trump's appointees are confirmed by the Senate.
Eleventh-Hour Spending, Policy Moves
The outgoing administration has prioritized allocating billions of federal dollars towards clean energy projects. These allocations align with Biden's environmental priorities, effectively securing critical projects before Trump's team can make changes.
Biden's administration extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from countries like Venezuela, El Salvador, and Ukraine. This decision shields nearly a million individuals from deportation for a period of up to 18 months, underscoring Biden's commitment to immigration protections.
The legacy of judicial appointments is also a notable aspect of Biden's presidency. With 235 federal judges confirmed, Biden has surpassed the total number confirmed during Trump’s first term. This strategic positioning of the judiciary is expected to influence significant future rulings.
Biden’s Use of Regulatory Hurdles
In an effort to enhance regulatory stability, Biden is instituting new federal rules that complicate reversals by the future administration. These rules are crafted in such a way that revoking them would necessitate either legislative action or enduring bureaucratic processes.
One of the most significant environmental decisions involves Biden's application of the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. This legal strategy effectively blocks offshore drilling across 625 million acres, requiring congressional intervention to be overturned.
The Biden administration is also expending remaining funds for military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, amounting to $65 billion. This financial commitment comes amid concerns regarding Trump's potential stance on the ongoing conflict.
Reactions from Key Political Figures
Ezra Cohen, a prominent figure within Trump's circle, has voiced criticism of these tactics, describing them as "dirty" and disruptive to Trump's forthcoming administration. He expressed concern that these actions are an unnecessary distraction from pressing national issues.
Cohen further elaborated on the situation, emphasizing that the transition should focus on "actual, real problems" rather than these political maneuvers. His remarks highlight the tension between the outgoing and incoming administrations during this transitional period.
President Biden himself acknowledged the uphill battle that Trump would face in altering entrenched policies. "Trump's going to have a hard time undoing a lot," Biden remarked, suggesting confidence in the resilience of his initiatives.
Tensions Rise Over Offshore Drilling Policies
Trump, on the other hand, shared his intentions, stating that he plans to reverse the offshore drilling protections soon after taking office. "I'm going to put it back on day one," he assured his supporters, underscoring a stark contrast in environmental policies between the two leaders.
Disputes over these strategic maneuvers have also been noted in public discourse. Trump criticized Biden's administration for its underhanded strategy. He juxtaposed these actions with Biden's earlier promises of a smooth transition process.
A senior Biden administration official conveyed to CNN that some measures, such as specific regulatory frameworks, cannot be swiftly undone through executive orders. This further emphasizes the entrenched nature of these policies.
Strategic Policies as Part of Legacy
Biden's comprehensive approach to legacy preservation underscores a broader strategy. By embedding policies across various spectrums, from legal to environmental to judicial, his administration aims to ensure a lasting impact regardless of the incoming administration's plans.
This political maneuvering illustrates the complexities involved in a democratic transition. While both parties assert the importance of a smooth transfer of power, these strategic decisions demonstrate the underlying contest for policy continuity and change.
It remains to be seen how the Trump administration will navigate these entrenched regulations and appointments. The interplay between presidential legacies and incoming administrations underscores the dynamic nature of governance.
Ultimately, the actions taken by President Biden and the responses from the incoming President Trump highlight the ongoing dialogue and tension inherent in national leadership transitions. With policies and leadership priorities influencing America's trajectory, this period remains critical for both administrations.