Things Could Be Frosty Inside the President’s Armored Limo on January 20
As the inauguration of President Joe Biden nears, tensions between him and his predecessor, Donald Trump, could be reaching a boiling point. The two men have never had a warm relationship, with Biden viewing Trump as a threat to America’s soul and Trump repeatedly insulting Biden, even going so far as to claim he ordered his impeachment, which has never happened.
The atmosphere between the two has only grown more acrimonious in recent days. Biden, for his part, has been showcasing his penchant for making public jabs at Trump, which seem calculated to get under his skin. On social media, Trump has responded with his own salvos, including accusations that Biden is soft on national security and allowing the country to become a haven for terrorism.
One recent controversy revolved around a shooting in New Orleans, which Trump quickly blamed on a foreign terrorist who had crossed the southern border. However, the actual perpetrator was a U.S. citizen from Texas, and Biden had warned against jumping to conclusions about the attack. In another incident, Biden praised the life of former President Jimmy Carter, highlighting his commitment to decency and respect for others, an apparent jab at Trump’s reported behavior and leadership style.
The rivalry has also played out in the political realm, with Biden awarding the Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman who was a key player in the investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on Congress, and a vocal critic of Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results. This move has drawn ire from Capitol Hill Republicans, who are threatening to investigate Cheney further, and rumors have surfaced that Biden could offer her a pre-emptive pardon to protect her from potential prosecution.
Trump, meanwhile, has taken aim at Biden, blaming him for a rise in terrorism and extremism in the country, claiming that his “open border” policies have created an environment ripe for more attacks. However, the Biden administration has also acknowledged the threat posed by terrorism and has worked with Trump officials on national security matters. Despite the animosity, some have praised Biden for providing the one thing Trump did not – an uncontested and peaceful transfer of power after a democratic election.