Joe Biden is on a mission. In the final days of his presidency, he’s working relentlessly to secure his legacy and set a lasting foundation for the next administration. With the clock ticking toward Donald Trump’s second term, Biden is doubling down on key domestic and foreign policies to ensure that his accomplishments, from Ukraine aid to judicial appointments, remain intact.
Biden’s Final Push: Securing Legacy-Defining Policies
Biden’s efforts are driven by urgency. With just a couple of months left in office, he is accelerating policy initiatives to leave a legacy that’s resistant to any attempts by a future Trump administration to reverse his work. This period is about pushing forward on both the global stage and at home to ensure that the transformative changes Biden has enacted stay in place.
His focus is clear: strengthening Ukraine’s position in its war against Russia, securing funding for American manufacturing, reassuring global allies about climate commitments, and shoring up judicial appointments are at the top of his priority list. But will these efforts be enough to hold up against Trump’s next term?
A Last Push for Ukraine: Strengthening the War Effort
At the forefront of Biden’s foreign policy is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As the war with Russia continues to take a toll on the global stage, Biden remains committed to ensuring Ukraine has the resources it needs to counter Russian advances.
This final effort includes $7 billion in additional lethal aid, including long-range weapons and anti-personnel mines. By shifting US policy to allow deeper strikes into Russian territory, Biden aims to help Ukraine build more leverage in its negotiations with Russia, ensuring a stronger position when peace talks begin. However, this policy shift puts Biden on a collision course with Trump’s Ukraine stance, which has always been sceptical of further US aid to Kyiv.
Domestic Manufacturing and Clean Energy Investments: Keeping the Momentum
One of Biden’s signature achievements is the $369 billion Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), designed to boost the clean energy sector. The Act provides substantial subsidies aimed at transitioning the United States to a greener future. $50 billion has been allocated to chip manufacturing through the CHIPS Act, which aims to lessen US dependence on foreign-made semiconductors.
Biden’s administration is now focused on ensuring that these initiatives stay on track. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is pushing to get nearly all of the $39 billion in semiconductor incentives committed before Biden leaves office. These projects are vital not only to Biden’s economic legacy but also to ensuring that future presidents will not be able to reverse the shift towards US manufacturing dominance.
Judging the Future: Biden’s Judicial Appointments
Biden’s impact on the judiciary is another critical area where time is running out. During his presidency, he has made more than 200 federal judicial appointments, significantly reshaping the US court system. With the Senate controlled by Democrats until January, Biden is making a final push to confirm as many judicial nominees as possible.
However, there is a looming concern: Trump’s appointees are likely to hold sway in the courts, especially the appellate courts, where Trump successfully appointed 54 judges. Biden wants to make sure that as many of his progressive judicial appointments are confirmed before the Republican-controlled Senate comes into power. This is essential if he hopes to ensure that the courts continue to reflect his administration’s values after he leaves office.
Struggling to End the Middle East Conflicts
On the international front, Biden’s record on the Middle East has been less than successful. Despite repeated efforts, he has not been able to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. While Biden’s administration has been critical in providing military and humanitarian aid to Israel, peace between the two sides remains elusive. Biden’s focus has now shifted to stopping the growing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. He is working behind the scenes to negotiate a settlement that could bring some stability to the region and help displaced Israelis return to their homes.
Legacy Concerns: Will Biden’s Achievements Stand the Test of Time?
While Biden’s push in these final months is commendable, there are real questions about whether these efforts will be sustained in a second Trump term. Trump has already promised to reverse key parts of Biden’s economic and environmental policies, particularly the Inflation Reduction Act and efforts to re-shore American manufacturing jobs.
For now, Biden’s team is racing against the clock to ensure that these policies not only take root but also survive in the face of future political changes.
Key Domestic Initiatives: The Manufacturing Revolution
Biden’s domestic focus is firmly on reinvigorating the American manufacturing sector. The CHIPS Act has already begun to bear fruit with the announcement of preliminary agreements with several companies for semiconductor manufacturing facilities. These agreements aim to enhance US competitiveness in the global market for chips, which is crucial to industries from tech to defence.
Biden’s infrastructure investments have been another cornerstone of his presidency. By focusing on clean energy, broadband expansion, and electric vehicle infrastructure, Biden is positioning the US for long-term growth. However, with a Trump administration on the horizon, it’s uncertain how much of this momentum can be preserved.
Conclusion: Biden’s Endgame – Legacy or Limbo?
Biden’s final days are critical. His final push on Ukraine, domestic manufacturing, climate policy, and judicial appointments could go a long way toward cementing his legacy. But whether those efforts can withstand the political tides of a new administration remains to be seen. For now, the race is on to ensure that as many projects, initiatives, and policies as possible are finalized and implemented before the transfer of power. Biden’s efforts will ultimately decide if his achievements stand the test of time or fade into the background of Trump’s second term.
Relevant Links for Further Reading:
- Biden’s Legacy – Biden’s Push for Judicial Appointments
- Ukraine Aid – Biden’s Support for Ukraine
- Inflation Reduction Act – Biden’s IRA Impact
- CHIPS Act – US Semiconductor Investments
- Middle East Peace Efforts – Biden’s Middle East Policy
