No One Will Mourn the End of Biden’s Presidency, Regardless of 2024 Election Result

Washington, D.C. – As Joe Biden’s presidency draws to a close, a rare bipartisan consensus has emerged in Washington: relief at his exit. While disagreements run deep between political parties, there appears to be widespread acknowledgement, even among some Democrats, that his tenure’s challenges have led both parties to look forward to a fresh start.

Following months of speculation, Democratic leaders took the extraordinary step earlier this year of effectively pushing Biden off the re-election ticket, which marked the first time in modern history that a sitting president was sidelined by his party after securing the nomination. A symbolic chorus of “Thank you, Joe” at the August convention attempted to spin the decision positively.

However, behind the scenes, there was widespread recognition of the difficulties of managing Biden’s public appearances and addressing concerns over his cognitive abilities. For many in the party, the choice to keep Biden away from the spotlight was an essential strategy to avoid high-profile missteps.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now in line to replace him, coordinated these efforts, underscoring a shift in party dynamics. Yet even with restricted appearances, Biden continued to stir controversy.

In one high-profile instance, he referred to millions of Trump supporters as “garbage,” a comment that drew national criticism. The station attempted to downplay the remark by adjusting the official White House transcript, but it served as another flashpoint in an already polarised political climate.

Biden’s time in office also marked a shift in the Justice Department’s stance on prosecuting former leaders, with Attorney General Merrick Garland moving forward with multiple charges against former President Donald Trump.

The decision was seen as a break from traditional norms and heightened concerns over political impartiality. At the same time, Biden faced accusations of a “double standard” for what critics argue was preferential treatment in cases involving his son, Hunter Biden.

Allegations that the Justice Department was slow to investigate Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings and accusations of influence-peddling involving the president himself added further strain to Biden’s administration.

Biden’s political career spans over five decades, a journey in which he became known as a figure capable of adapting to prevailing views. In his early Senate years, Biden formed bipartisan alliances, even eulogizing Sen.

Robert Byrd, a former KKK member. As president, he adopted a sharply different stance, particularly on legislative issues like the Senate filibuster, which he once ardently defended but later called a “relic of the Jim Crow era” that should be abolished. Critics have pointed to this shift as his readiness to change positions for political gain.

Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate in 2020 reflected his focus on consolidating key Democratic constituencies.

However, his reliance on former intelligence officials’ statements—such as the infamous letter from 51 former officials suggesting Hunter Biden’s laptop could be “Russian disinformation”—has fueled perceptions of political manoeuvring within his administration.

The laptop incident, along with other controversies, placed Biden in a contentious spotlight, and many Democrats have privately acknowledged that the handling of these issues contributed to public frustration.

As Biden prepares to leave office, there remains speculation about one last major decision he may face: a potential pardon for Hunter Biden, who is under federal investigation for tax and firearms charges. While Biden denied intentions to pardon his son earlier in his term, as a lame-duck president, he may be inclined to protect his family. Such an action, if taken, would conclude a presidency marked as much by familial issues as by policy achievements.

With Biden’s departure, the Democratic Party faces a critical turning point, grappling with the need to redefine its identity in the wake of an administration that brought both domestic challenges and global controversies.

Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats alike appear prepared to move forward, acknowledging that Biden’s exit may bring an end to a divisive chapter in U.S. politics.