During President Joe Biden's final days in office, a surprising move to pardon his son Hunter has repercussions shaking the core of the Democratic Party. This decision made a fortnight ago despite earlier promises to the contrary, marked the beginning of Joe Biden’s strategy to settle scores. His actions have created palpable tension within the party and shifted the dynamics of his relationships with key political figures.
According to Mail Online, President Biden’s controversial decision extended beyond his son, as it emerged that approximately 1,500 other sentences were commuted at the same time. Among those commuted was a relative of a Chinese Communist Party member previously convicted in a child pornography case. It appears this wave of commutations also played a significant part in the emerging rifts in Washington.
Adding to the mix, First Lady Jill Biden has reportedly been urging the President to adopt a more decisive and aggressive stance in his final weeks. This influence seems to resonate in the actions taken by Biden as he navigates through the end of his presidency.
The fallout from the President's decision was felt strongly in his relationship with Nancy Pelosi. After the former House Speaker pressed Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race on June 21, their relationship, spanning nearly half a century, significantly deteriorated. Biden’s response was notably marked by exclusion, as Pelosi was visibly positioned away from the Bidens at the Kennedy Center Honors, signaling a deepening divide.
This theme of division extended even to Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden endorsed swiftly after his withdrawal from the race. The move, seen by some as a spiteful act against Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi, coincided with a noticeable cooling of relations between Biden and Harris, following her defeat in the election to Donald Trump.
Underpinning these political maneuvers are reports of reduced holiday festivities at the White House and changes in celebratory scheduling, which might reflect the somber mood within the administration. It’s noted that the Bidens were abroad during the initial December festivities, further distancing themselves during a typically communal time.
As his presidency winds down, Joe Biden seems enveloped in a melancholic aura reflecting his more than 50 years in public service. Despite the ongoing internal and international crises, including persistent conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, the White House has been eager to portray him as actively involved in governance.
Nonetheless, speculation about both his health and his strained relationship with Harris continues to linger.
A stark instance occurred during a women’s health conference when Jill Biden’s reference to Harris's campaign slogan "joy" drew laughter from the audience, to which she later responded curtly, "You're all reading into that." Meanwhile, dissension among Democratic donors grows, as some express frustration at Biden’s delayed withdrawal from the nomination process, believing it contributed to Harris’s electoral struggles.
Adding to the complexity, the Archewell Foundation, linked with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, made headlines for a donation to Ashley Biden's center, implying continued political connections post-presidency. Despite retiring from her teaching role, Jill Biden has expressed her continued passion for education, echoing the couple’s determination to remain influential figures in public life.
As the current U.S. government funding resolution nears expiration on December 20, the pressures of governance persist. John Morgan, a significant Democratic donor, reflected the prevailing sentiments, accusing the Harris campaign of misleading both donors and potentially the President himself regarding its internal polling strength, adding another layer of controversy and mistrust within party ranks.
These developments paint a vivid picture of a presidency in its challenging concluding chapter. "We're no longer going to be President and First Lady, but we're not going away," Joe Biden declared, signaling a future where both he and Jill Biden might continue to influence the national discourse from a different platform.
In sum, President Biden's final weeks are marked by intense personal and political realignments, inspired in part by First Lady Jill Biden’s assertive stance, amidst a broader backdrop of party discontent and strategic endorsements.
The political landscape continues to evolve as the Bidens prepare to transition away from the White House, carrying with them both the legacies and controversies of their tenure.