During the 2020 election, now-President Joe Biden positioned himself as a return to political normalcy following the unusual rise of former President Donald Trump and his less-than-predictable presidency. But now, various crises at home and abroad threaten to paint Biden’s tenure as anything but normal.
On Saturday, Israel faced surprise attacks from Hamas terrorists, who breached the country’s borders by land, air, and sea. Hundreds of Israeli civilians are dead, and thousands have been injured. Further, the armed terrorists captured civilians, taking them back to Gaza as hostages. The attack was the worst on Israel since the Yom Kippur War 50 years earlier.
WHAT IS HAMAS, AND WHO IS THE COMMANDER KNOWN AS ‘THE GUEST’ BEHIND THE TERROR ATTACK ON ISRAEL?
In the assault, at least 11 American citizens were killed, according to the White House on Monday.
The attack’s unprecedented nature, which Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have remarked on, places his administration in a difficult position. Not only is Israel an important U.S. ally, with wide support in both political parties, but because of the promises made by Biden when he ran against Trump in 2020.
After Trump’s presidency faced a pandemic due to the COVID-19 virus, which hadn’t been seen within most lifetimes, as well as the events of Jan. 6, 2021, when the Capitol was breached by rioters, Biden took the opportunity to brand his campaign as a return to normal life.
Between these events, Biden said during a campaign speech, “The common thread” is “an incumbent president who makes things worse, not better.”
“An incumbent president who sows chaos rather than providing order.”
However, he now faces his own unique and unprecedented challenges.
The surprise terror attack on Israel is not the only problem putting pressure on the administration as the 2024 presidential election inches closer. The southern border and immigration troubles have presented a persistent problem for the president, particularly as Democratic leaders nationwide begin to show signs of displeasure with Biden. The loss of political allies is something Biden may not be able to afford going into 2024.
Over the past year, Democratic leaders in states including New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois have called on the Biden administration for more assistance amid significant immigrant surges that are straining resources. These surges come amid Texas’s Operation Lone Star, during which Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) has been putting illegal immigrants on buses to various “sanctuary” locations across the country.
As tensions grow, disputes between the president and leaders in these states have been brought to light. The most public feud has emerged between New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Biden, who are reportedly no longer on speaking terms, as Adams has expressed frustration with the president’s current level of assistance.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
More recently, these tensions have arisen with Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who demanded the White House do more about the crisis on a recent phone call. Pritzker wrote a letter to Biden, requesting he take coordinated federal action on the southern border.
Despite an increase in Democratic concerns over immigration matters and the southern border, the administration hasn’t signaled its intention to take significant steps to address it, as leaders are asking. Instead, the White House has urged states and cities to implement programs to expedite work permits for immigrants. Further, the administration has highlighted large amounts of assistance already provided to the affected areas to deal with the crises.
