SOURCE :- THE AGE NEWS
Washington: Departing US President Joe Biden addressed the nation twice on Wednesday (US time): once to farewell Americans after a political career spanning half a century, and once to announce a hostage deal his administration had been working on for months.
On both occasions, he was overshadowed by Donald Trump.
Joe Biden’s presidency began in the shadow of Donald Trump and is now ending in much the same way.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
After more than 15 months of war, and with only five days left in Biden’s presidency, a ceasefire in Gaza has finally been reached.
The agreement, as he pointed out, was “the exact framework” of the three-phase proposal his team put forward in May, starting with a six-week ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the release of some hostages held by Hamas.
But it would take another eight months of mediation and pressure, the joint efforts of Qatar and Egypt, and the threat of his successor – that there would be “all hell to pay” if hostages weren’t freed by Inauguration Day – to help get it over the line.
It’s little wonder that Trump wasted no time claiming credit for the ceasefire, announcing the deal on his Truth Social platform at midday, well before Biden stood at the White House confirming an agreement had even been reached.
“WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” the president-elect wrote in all capital letters. “THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!”
Eight hours later, when Biden gave his final address from the Resolute desk of the Oval Office, it almost felt like the nation had said goodbye to America’s 46th president long ago, and was bracing for the return of its bombastic but influential 47th.
But this is emblematic of Biden’s presidency, which began in the shadow of Trump and is ending in much the same way.
Fifty-three years after entering national politics as a 30-year-old senator for Delaware, Biden on Thursday gave the farewell speech he never wanted to give.
He wished the new administration success, declaring “I want America to succeed – that’s why I’ve held my duty to ensure a peaceful, orderly transition of power”.
He called for major reforms, such as 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices and a constitutional amendment to ensure that “no president is immune from crimes that he or she commits while in office”.
And, he warned the country of the challenges ahead: the rise of a “tech industrial complex” similar to the military industry complex invoked in Dwight Eisenhower’s farewell speech; a crumbling free press and “an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation”; and the “dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people”.
“There are dangerous consequences if their abuse of power is left unchecked,” Biden said, in an ominous nod to Trump, Elon Musk, and the billionaires in his successor’s orbit.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights, freedoms and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.”
Biden deserves credit for what he achieved in a single term. He steered the nation out of the global pandemic and created 17 million jobs over the past four years.
He pushed through landmark climate and clean energy reforms that could cut US emissions almost in half by 2035 when compared with 2005 levels.
And he lowered prescription drug prices, ushered in important gun reforms and landed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that will modernise America’s airports, roads and bridges for years to come.
But Biden also leaves office with many of his policy successes undermined by the stubbornness with which he clung to power.
President Joe Biden gives his farewell address from the Oval Office.Credit: AP
Had the 82-year-old stepped aside earlier, the Democrats could have held a proper primary process to find the best candidate to take on Trump, or at least given Vice President Kamala Harris more time to make her case to voters.
Biden also leaves office in a confounding fashion and with a record-low approval rating of 36 per cent.
He pledged not to pardon his son Hunter who was convicted of gun and tax crimes, but has done exactly that.
He told the world Trump was an existential threat to democracy, but has now welcomed him back to the Oval Office with a handshake and a smile.
And as recently as last week, he insisted that he could have still beaten Trump if he’d stayed in the race – despite polls showing more than a quarter of Americans, including those in his party, had been saying for months that he was not mentally capable of another four-year term.
History will likely be much kinder to Joseph Robinette Biden Jnr. For now, however, it’s focused on his successor. To that end, Biden’s most notable legacy is helping to bring back Trump, more emboldened and powerful than ever.
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