One hundred days seem to have passed since Biden took the seat formerly occupied by President Trump, yet the benchmarks reveal a regrettable fact. First introduced during Franklin Roosevelt’s term in 1933, this 100-day assessment has been a tradition for evaluating presidential effectiveness. But in this era of Biden, the lack of significant achievement over this period may signal a rather questionable start to the presidency.
It was during Roosevelt’s term that the concept of evaluating a president’s accomplishments and disasters in the first 100 days was established. This measure tends to serve as an indicator of what may follow in a president’s term. The Biden administration, however, does not seem to inspire much optimism in that regard.
Primarily, any comparison between the progress made by Trump and Biden would be overwhelmingly unflattering for the latter. The vast differences between the two and their resulting impact on the country in their respective initial days in office make for an interesting study in contrast.
Highlighting the contrast, Trump managed to sign an astounding 142 executive orders within his first 100 days, a testament to his drive and decisive nature. His actions may have underscored the vulnerability of relying excessively on presidential orders to establish vital policies, but they were a reflection of a leader who was ready to wield his executive power fruitfully.
Trump differentiated his focus on several main areas: scaling back federal government reach, foreign policy and defense, immigration and border security, energy and natural resources, and tariffs. This sweeping insight into Trump’s policy direction is somewhat lacking when compared to Biden’s rather muddled approach.
Biden, on the other hand, has signed only a few bills into law thus far, which is hardly a promising start. The low number practically obliterates George W. Bush’s already low record for bills signed into law during one’s first 100 days in the office.
In terms of legal challenges, the Biden administration’s actions are coming increasingly under judicial scrutiny. This high number only serves to underline the contentious nature of Biden’s decisions thus far.
The public opinion is also quite telling of Biden’s performance, as his approval rating has dwindled down, hardly a cause for celebration. This low rating indicates a wavering public trust and confidence in this administration.
Furthermore, Biden seems to have issued a staggering number of pardons since he took office. This high number hints at a sort of leniency which may raise questions about his judgment and policy direction.
Another significant aspect is Biden’s approach to federal employment. Unlike Trump, who aimed at streamlining the federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency’s creation, Biden’s stance remains unclear, further blurring the image of his priorities.
Biden’s stance on immigration, a contentious issue that Trump placed tremendous focus on during his tenure, is also raising eyebrows. The reduction in border crossings under Trump is stark compared to Biden’s unclear policy on this crucial issue.
Additionally, Biden’s penchant for implementing, delaying, or threatening tariffs on goods from other nations may be causing jitters in global markets and sparking fears of a recession. Unlike Trump, whose tariffs represented a clear and firm stance, Biden’s actions seem erratic and unpredictable.
On the economic front, Biden’s handling of inflation is particularly noteworthy. Despite his promises on the campaign trail, economists are warning that relief from current rates could be short-lived, suggesting that his policies might cause a surge in prices soon.
In conclusion, Biden’s first 100 days in office have proven to be a mixed bag of questionable decisions and unprecedented leniencies. While the 100-day mark alone may not define his presidency, the course he has embarked on could pose significant challenges for his term and the nation at large.