Biden wasn't my first choice in the Democratic primary. He was second to last after Bloomberg (roughly, there was a lot of short term candidates that never had a shot). And his first partial month as President was a mixture of success and cringe. Better than Trump.
The Presidential Events of January 2021 are here.
Staff and Confirmations:
Biden chose Bill Burns, a former diplomat, to lead the CIA. He named Avril Haines, formerly CIA deputy director and deputy national security advisor, as Director of National Intelligence. Former Obama deputy secretary of state Anthony Blinken will be Secretary of State. He supported the invasion of Iraq and the bombing of Libya. He also co-founded WestExec, a consulting firm that advised secret, powerful, and dangerous corporations. Congress granted a waiver to allow General Lloyd Austin to serve as Secretary of Defense. This is required for any former military officer who has been retired for at least seven years. He is the third Secretary of Defense requiring a waiver since Congress passed the National Security Act of 1947, the second being James Mattis. The House passed the waiver for Mattis with only 36 Democrats, but nearly all Democrats voted to approve the same condition for Austin. Austin worked as a consultant for weapon manufacturers. Lloyd Austin was approved as Pentagon chief.
Biden's appointees were hindered by Mitch McConnell, who refused to hold hearings for the incoming President, in coordination with Trump's big lie.
Executive Actions and Policy:
In his first week, Biden signed a number of executive orders to overturn Trump policies. He created a mandatory mask requirement on federal land, revoked the Keystone pipeline permit, returned the United States to the Paris Climate Accord, ended the travel ban on Muslim countries, reinstated DACA protections, removed the 1776 Commission report, prevented the withdrawal from the World Health Organization, stopped the construction of the border wall, and curbed the remain in Mexico policy, which forced asylum seekers to stay in Mexico for months before being granted a hearing. He repealed a rule which prohibited foreign aid to NGOs, which perform health procedures including abortions. Biden extended two Trump policies through executive orders; eviction moratoriums and a student loan freeze.
Immigration:
Biden paused deportations for one hundred days to assess the processes of his predecessor. Texas sued, and a judge temporarily put the pause on hold. Biden canceled Trumps' zero-tolerance immigration policy, which separated families. Biden wants Congress to pass his immigration reform bill. It would legalize the 10.5 million undocumented immigrants over an eight year period, add additional technological solutions to the border, and supply aid to Central America to encourage residents to remain in in their native countries.
The Coronavirus:
Biden proposed a 1.9 trillion dollar coronavirus relief bill, which would increase unemployment, send relief checks to most Americans, help states and towns, boost vaccination rates, help schools reopen, and aid renters who can't afford their payments. Republican officials criticized the bill as too generous, with ten Senators offering a $600 billion compromise. While reporters indicated Biden was willing to adjust the margins of the bill, maybe reducing who could receive the $1,400 checks, or reducing them to $1,000, Biden made it clear, he wasn't interested in such a drastic reduction of his bill.
Biden held a memorial for the 400,000 United States citizens who died from the coronavirus pandemic. Some experts criticized Biden's vaccination plan as too timid. But Biden may be downplaying what he will achieve, to prevent false hope, or criticisms for failing to achieve an outlandish goal. The administration ordered 200 million vaccine doses, and intends to vaccinate 300 million people by early fall. Considering the population of the United State is 330,000,000, vaccinations could be finished by the fall return to school. One possible wrench is the introduction of various coronavirus variants. Both the South African and Brazilian versions have been found in the United States, and the current vaccines might be less effective against them.
Health Insurance:
Biden reopened the ACA markets during the pandemic, to allow those without health insurance to buy it. But Biden resisted calls to offer a better healthcare system. It was reported that he pushed healthcare laws written by insurance lobbyists, which will enrich insurers.
Janet Yellen and other financial aspects:
Yellen, the former Federal Reserve Chairman, was nominated for Treasury Secretary. She who had discounted the economic depression. And she revealed that she made millions in the last two years, doubling her net-worth, by speaking to Wall Street. She was confirmed by the Senate. When the GameStop event occurred, the White House Press Secretary said Yellen was looking into it.
Other experts worried about Biden's anti-trust personal, at a time when Silicon Valley giants are uncontrollable, and citizens overwhelmingly want them reined in.
Other:
Biden restarted Obama's plan to place Harriet Tubman on the twenty dollar bill. He rescinded Trump's military transgender ban. He wants to reduce domestic extremism, militia groups and white supremacy. And Biden wants to triple the amount of land under federal conservation protections.
And though he remained quiet about impeachment, when pressed, Biden said, “It has to happen.”
Recent:
Team Hero Shooters: Overwatch versus Paladins
Relevant:
The Presidential Events: January 2021 Trump Edition
Who Would You Rather Buy Elections in the United States?
Campaign Reform first, Ranked Choice Voting second, and Nothing Will Fundamentally Change, third
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