Joe Biden might be wrapping up his presidency, but don’t tell him that.
In these final months, President Biden seems determined to squeeze every ounce of impact from his lame-duck status. From high-stakes diplomacy with Xi Jinping to a legislative agenda that’s nothing short of Herculean, Biden seems intent on going out in a blaze of activity.
But what’s driving this last-minute frenzy? Is it a quest for legacy? Damage control? Or simply the unrelenting pace of an administration that knows the clock is ticking as Donald Trump readies his return to the White House?
From Hawk to Dove: The Xi Meeting
Probably one of Biden’s final big moments was his face-to-face with Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Peru. Yes, Peru—because why wouldn’t one of the most pivotal U.S.-China discussions take place in Lima? Forget the polished optics; the real intrigue lay in Biden’s sudden pivot from last year’s combative rhetoric in San Francisco, where he dismissed Xi as a “dictator.” This time around, he was all handshakes and polite overtures, meeting a leader whose policies Washington has labelled as ‘repressive and authoritarian’.
What changed? Not relations, according to most analysts. This shift wasn’t about any groundbreaking progress but rather a calculated cooling of tensions, likely meant to buy time. With Trump poised to reclaim the presidency, Biden seemed focused on leaving Xi guessing about the future, while giving himself a parting shot at reducing tensions.
For Xi, it was a straightforward win. He walked away with promises of resumed climate discussions and vague commitments to stability in the Taiwan Strait, all while conceding little. Biden didn’t extract significant concessions, leaving some critics to call the meeting a diplomatic gift to Beijing. For the White House, it was spun as “productive.”
The Domestic Blitz
While Biden was practicing diplomacy abroad, his real juggling act is playing out at home.
In quintessential lame-duck fashion, the president unveiled a legislative agenda so ambitious it’s almost audacious. Expanded healthcare access? Sure. Paid family leave? Of course. Gun control? Why not throw that in, too? From tech regulation to climate initiatives to yet another aid package for Ukraine, Biden is attempting to check off every Democratic wish list item before his window closes.
It’s a laundry list that speaks to progressive dreams but comes up against political realities. With Republicans set to control Congress in January, even minor compromises will become Sisyphean tasks. Biden’s only chance lies in squeezing as much as possible through now—though much of it might be dead on arrival.
Consider healthcare: Biden wants to expand Medicaid and cap drug prices. These ideas resonate with working families but face fierce resistance from corporate interests and fiscal hawks. Paid family leave and child tax credits? They are crowd-pleasers — yet even Democratic majorities failed to push them through before.
And then there’s gun control. Biden’s proposing universal background checks and an assault weapons ban, two measures that seem as politically viable now as they did after past mass shootings: not very.
Ukraine: A High-Stakes Play
Meanwhile, Biden upped the ante in the Ukraine war, giving Kyiv the green light to use U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes deeper into Russian territory. It’s a move as bold as it is risky, signalling a major escalation in a conflict already teetering on dangerous ground.
For Biden, this is less about military strategy and more about cementing his image as a staunch defender of democracy. But critics argue the decision could escalate tensions to a dangerous level, with repercussions the U.S. may not be ready to handle. Either way, it’s a classic late-term presidential gamble: bold, controversial, and with nothing left to lose.
Why the Rush?
Biden’s frantic pace might look like the actions of a leader racing to secure his legacy. But it’s just as much about shoring up the Democratic Party’s position as Kamala Harris takes the reins for 2024. After stepping aside under party pressure, Biden’s job now is to create momentum Harris can leverage.
It’s no secret Harris has struggled to connect with voters. Biden’s legislative push and international outreach aren’t just about his legacy—they’re about framing Democrats as the party of progress in an election cycle that could be defined by Trump’s return.
There’s also a more tactical motivation: laying down roadblocks for Trump. The administration knows many of Biden’s initiatives could be undone within months of a Republican presidency. By solidifying as much as possible now, Biden is creating a buffer—or at least a political minefield—for the GOP to navigate.
The Ironic Endgame
And that brings us to the irony of Biden’s final chapter.
For all his promises of calm, steady leadership, his presidency is ending in a whirlwind of last-minute pushes and risky plays. The man who came into office pledging to cool the temperature in Washington is now racing to implement a legacy before it’s too late.
The Democrats, for their part, are betting big that these moves will resonate in the long run. Yet the rush to score wins before Trump’s potential return risks coming across as hasty and reactive, rather than measured and forward-thinking.
Biden’s final months won’t be remembered for flawless execution or even transformative victories. They’ll be remembered for the sheer audacity of a president refusing to go quietly. Whether history sees this as determination or desperation will depend on what comes next. And based on the outlooks of escalation in Ukraine … well, it might turn into President Biden’s very own Louis XV of France moment. You know, Après moi, le déluge.
Either way, for now, Biden’s legacy remains in flux—an unpredictable mix of ambition and last-ditch effort, much like the man himself.
