Only 7 More

The Biden administration ends battered by policy blunders, soaring inflation, a chaotic border, and global missteps—leaving America desperate for new leadership and a renewed sense of hope.

We Can Make It If We Try

Monday, January 13th, 2025: By, Walter Curt

In exactly seven days, the Biden administration will end. It began with soaring promises to “Build Back Better.” It closes with failures that have left America weaker, poorer, and more divided. President Biden touts NATO expansion, aid to Ukraine, and the so-called Chips Act. Yet his legacy is a string of blunders at home and abroad. His claim of leaving a “strong hand” rings hollow. Our economy is struggling, our borders are overwhelmed, our energy security is shaky, and our global standing has diminished.

Look at foreign policy first. Biden points to Finland and Sweden joining NATO as proof of success. In truth, their rush to join reflects our failure to deter Russian aggression. The White House’s weak response in Ukraine showed our adversaries that America under Biden lacks resolve. Yes, we sent aid to Ukraine, but it was late and insufficient. Meanwhile, the vaunted Chips Act remains uncertain. Intel’s struggles cast serious doubt on whether the legislation will deliver a real manufacturing boost.

The Afghanistan withdrawal was an even bigger fiasco. That spectacle of chaos, beamed around the world, told Russia, China, and Iran they had little to fear. Rather than project strength, we cut and ran. Worse yet, Biden pushed defense budget cuts as deficits soared. Adversaries continue to ramp up military spending. We are left to hope our readiness can withstand the growing threat.

On the home front, the story is no better. Inflation has soared since Biden took office. It’s up nearly 20% compared to January 2021. Wages haven’t kept pace, so weekly earnings—adjusted for inflation—fell by about 5%. Americans feel this pain every time they buy groceries, fill the gas tank, or pay the rent. Economists point to the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan as pouring fuel on the fire. Too many dollars were chasing too few goods.

The border crisis is another disaster. Biden scrapped Remain in Mexico and halted the border wall. A record surge of illegal immigration was the predictable result. The administration lost track of thousands of unaccompanied minors, which is both tragic and inexcusable. The emergency rental assistance program, meant to help migrants and citizens alike, has fumbled. Most of the funds remain undistributed. Families are left waiting, and the chaos continues.

Energy policy has followed the same pattern. On day one, Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, wiping out thousands of jobs. He tightened restrictions on domestic oil and gas leasing while pushing green energy without a viable transition plan. Gas prices have soared by over a dollar per gallon since he took office. This hits the pocketbooks of working Americans and robs energy-producing communities of stable employment. The White House refuses to acknowledge the damage or offer credible alternatives.

Biden’s economic claims don’t hold up under scrutiny. Officials boast about job creation, but many of these jobs are low-paying or part-time. The labor force participation rate is still below pre-pandemic levels, suggesting people have simply dropped out. Federal debt has exploded under Biden, and interest payments alone have increased by 153% since he took office. That burden will fall on our children and grandchildren. The administration also failed to pass the Build Back Better Act, leaving a key part of Biden’s economic agenda dead in the water.

The misuse and mismanagement of COVID-19 relief funds only adds to the list of failures. Billions in rental assistance sat idle while countless Americans risked eviction. By late 2021, only around 11% of allocated funds had been distributed. Rampant fraud and waste chipped away further at public trust. For a president who claimed he would handle the pandemic with expertise and compassion, these shortfalls are stunning. They also highlight a stunning lack of oversight and leadership.

All these failures lead us to the final days of this presidency. In seven days, the Biden era will be over, and we can only hope the next administration can right the ship. Our economy is bleeding, our energy policy is in tatters, our borders are porous, and our foreign enemies are emboldened. This administration had years to make tough choices. Instead, it doubled down on policies that deepened our crises.

Yet, there is a spark of hope. Donald Trump is poised to return, promising to restore American strength. Even if it’s not Trump, almost anyone else would be an improvement at this point. Our borders need securing, inflation needs taming, and our enemies need to be shown real deterrence. Trump, for all his flaws, did push a stronger border policy and a more muscular foreign stance. He also presided over economic growth that benefited working-class Americans.

America has always shown a capacity for renewal. As we count down these last seven days, we should remember that the nation can still bounce back. The coming administration—Trump’s or another—must be bold, decisive, and laser-focused on America’s core interests. Yes, the damage is severe. But with strong leadership and policies that put America first, we can rebuild. Anything is better than the feeble stewardship we’ve endured. Our resilience is real, and soon, we can start the work of repairing the mess Joe Biden leaves behind.