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Biden's Executive Order Activity Lags After Exiting Race, Trailing That of Predecessors

 September 10, 2024

Since his announcement to not seek re-election, President Joe Biden's pace in signing executive orders has notably declined, only adding two new orders to his record.

In the wake of President Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, his engagement in regard to signing executive orders has significantly dropped compared to former presidents during similar periods, as Fox News reports.

On July 21, Biden declared he would not run for a second term, setting the stage for what has proven to be a slowdown in his administrative activities.

Shortly thereafter, on July 25, he signed an executive order to establish an emergency board tasked with resolving a labor dispute between New Jersey Transit Rail Operations and its engineers.

This order marked a rare moment of executive action in a period where such initiatives have dwindled.

Meanwhile, former presidents such as Donald Trump and Barack Obama exhibited more robust activity during their respective election years, signing multiple orders around this time.

Trump and Obama's Active Augusts in Contrast to Biden

In August 2020, Trump signed seven executive orders addressing various issues from public health to federal employment practices.

Similarly, in August 2016, Obama signed five executive orders, which included important directives regarding succession planning in federal departments and enhancements in procurement and business advisory practices.

Biden's second and only other order since his announcement came during a visit to Michigan.

He signed an order ensuring that major federal construction projects utilize project labor agreements, a move aimed at boosting quality and labor standards.

The executive order, titled "Good Jobs," underscores Biden's ongoing commitment to labor unions, a key constituency that has historically supported him. This action was consistent with his administration's focus on strengthening worker rights and improving job quality in federal projects.

Biden's Labor-Focused Michigan Visit Prior to Signing Executive Order

Biden's visit to Michigan wasn't just about signing the executive order. It included significant interaction with labor union members, reinforcing his dedication to labor rights amidst his decreased frequency in wielding executive powers.

However, criticism has surfaced regarding Biden's recent inactivity. Elon Musk, the tech mogul, expressed his astonishment over Biden's low profile, suggesting a perceived lapse in governance.

"I keep forgetting that Biden is still technically in charge of the country," commented Musk, highlighting a sense of surprise at the president's subdued presence.

Political Responses and Critiques on Biden's Executive Power Usage

Political reactions have been varied. Trump, the current Republican presidential nominee, has contrasted Biden's approach by proposing aggressive executive actions if he were to win the presidency.

Trump's proposed orders include measures to ban federal employees from limiting speech and to dismiss those he believes are engaged in censorship under what he labels the "Harris regime."

This rhetoric underscores a sharp political divide, with Trump leveraging Biden's perceived passivity to push his campaign's agenda forward.

A query from Fox News Digital to the White House about Biden's comparative absence of executive orders received no immediate response, leaving questions about this strategic slowdown unanswered.

As the political landscape adjusts to Biden's announcement and subsequent actions, or lack thereof, the focus now shifts to how this will shape his remaining time in office and the broader administrative policy environment leading up to the 2024 presidential election.