The Treasonous Transition of Biden, The Democratic Anger After Trump Wins the Political Center
The American tradition, since its birth, believes that the country should be ruled by only one president at one time. Patterns in recent history paint a picture otherwise as President Joe Biden had handed over much of the political mileage to President-elect Donald Trump in what has left many people bitter from among his major supporters, the Democrats, anxious with direction ahead of the party.
Trump hogging the limelight as Biden remains mum
President-elect Trump is indeed doing things his way as President Joe Biden takes a low profile in his first week in office. At the weekend, Joe Biden stayed in Washington while his predecessor hogged the limelight in Paris as he hosted French President Emmanuel Macron and met Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump has already gotten to work in making his policy by engaging in international politics and dominating the news waves.
Biden has taken time to respond to international pressing issues. For instance, when the Syrian conflict is becoming intense, Trump just talks to the crisis the day before Biden. This lack of action has been attacked and is accused of being “first hesitant” over showing his agenda. Many Democrats are getting nervous as this may lead to loss of initiative by the administration in transition.
Many Democrats are expressing dissatisfaction with Biden’s muted approach. Progressive leaders and strategists argue that this period represents a missed opportunity to counter Trump’s growing influence.
“This is one of the lamest lame-duck periods we’ve seen with a Democratic administration,” said Usamah Andrabi, spokesman for the progressive group Justice Democrats. He believes Biden’s inaction has allowed Trump to dominate public attention uncontested.
Democratic Governor Jay Inslee of Washington agreed, saying: “We should all be vocal about these nominees who are a disaster waiting to happen.”
Trump has wasted no time proclaiming his policy agenda. A president-elect has named his cabinet and senior staff with perhaps unprecedented rapidity, pushing through contentious nominations that have even made some Republicans squirm.
Among Trump’s earliest moves:
Hosting the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to conduct diplomatic talks.
Engaging in negotiations with Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum.
- Trade and immigration reform agendas.
During his NBC interview, Trump described his plans for his new government, speaking in a tone that portrayed him as being “focused on success, the realization of progress, rather than past conflict.”.
As far as Biden is concerned, there have been unfavorable comparisons with the way former President Barack Obama handled the transition in 2016. While Trump was elected, Obama still remained public, vetoing a United Nations resolution and hosting a formal press conference. Unlike Obama, Biden has not publicly appeared or addressed the press, even during his recent trip to Africa.
Critics say that the lack of engagement by Biden has left a communication vacuum and made the public view Trump as the political leader without a challenge.
The Democratic Party’s Messaging Problem
The inability of Biden to communicate effectively shows a bigger issue with the Democratic Party: the inability to deliver a consistent and compelling message to voters.
Strategists like Waleed Shahid believe that Democrats need to focus on educating the public about what Trump’s cabinet picks have been and policy plans for his administration. “The only way to win the war of attention is by going to the voters and explaining things to them, which President Biden has consistently avoided doing,” Shahid said.
The messaging problem has only been worsened by the relative silence of Vice President Kamala Harris since the election. She, who promised to continue fighting for Democratic values, largely disappeared into obscurity, opting instead to take a vacation in Hawaii before returning to resume routine duties in Washington.
Progressive Democrats are forcing Biden to take bold actions in the remaining years of his presidency and to mold public opinion about the Trump administration. Some of the recommendations they have made include: Extending pardons to some of the people targeted by the Justice Department under Trump Strengthen protections for undocumented immigrants Actively oppose all the controversial cabinet nominations.
Despite demands for a more aggressive stance, Senate Democrats have largely avoided criticizing Trump’s nominees, instead focusing on the need for proper vetting. This approach has been seen as too cautious by some progressives.
The Treasonous Transition of Biden, The Democratic
The Trump transition has been cheered by voters in general. A CBS/YouGov poll taken late November found that 59% of voters approve of his handling of the transition. But support is far from universal. Polls suggest that many Americans still remain undecided about Trump’s cabinet picks, and that gives Democrats a chance to shape public opinion — if they act quickly.
Democratic governors gathering in Los Angeles this weekend discussed how to derail Trump’s agenda while trying to reassure voters that their messaging on the economy is getting through. “Every diner I go to, it’s the same message: ‘How are you going to make my life more affordable?'” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer, launching a campaign for governor of New Jersey.
As the transition period continues, the Democrats have a poignant decision to make: whether to aggressively push back against Trump or come up with a longer game to play for the 2026 midterms and beyond.
According to other strategists, including Jesse Ferguson, this lies in telling how the Trump agenda effects middle-class Americans. “Making a case against Trump will not be done by angry tweets about the latest thing he says, but through showing the impact of his agenda,” Ferguson said.
But then, the Democrats have to grapple at two crucial points:
- Trump countering; party unity.
- A message that would go very well with the various different voting groups, including Blacks, Latinos, and young Americans. These are voting blocs that have traditionally voted Democratic.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for the Democratic Party
President Biden has kept the transition tone so low that it is making his party frustrated and raise questions of strategy. Trump, however, has been on a roll by snatching the political spotlight for his future administration.
It will be a defining moment for the Democratic Party, as Biden’s term is set to end. Will it take the challenge head on and articulate a cohesive vision for the future, or continue to stumble internally with messenger malfunctions?
One thing for sure is that this decision will have long-lasting implications for the party’s capacity to fight Trump’s influence and connect with voters in the years ahead.