Staff Reports
The roaring California wildfires have turned large parts of Los Angeles County into an apocalyptic scene, and what better time for President Joe Biden to step up than now? Unfortunately, showcasing a lack of urgency, he rolled into town with the grace of a sloth on sedatives, flaunting “good news” that has absolutely nothing to do with the dire circumstances facing countless Americans. Once again, the “lame duck” label fits him better than his tailored suits.
It’s hard to fathom how much blame can be assigned to California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their role in this chaos. It’s a masterclass in failed leadership, where citizens are left clinging to hope while their homes burn. You’d assume the President would seize the opportunity to show some real presidential presence—call out local incompetence, rally resources, or at least offer some tender-hearted rhetoric. Instead, he leaned back into his comfort zone, leading with some casual bragging about becoming a great-grandfather, a highlight more suited for a family reunion than a national crisis.
For all of Biden’s years in politics, one would expect him to understand the weight of the moment. However, he managed to turn an already tepid appearance into a full-blown circus act. Reading awkwardly from cue cards while standing alongside Newsom, Biden could barely muster the energy to convey anything resembling leadership. The highest highlight of his speech? An announcement about a new addition to the Biden family that left everyone in the room scratching their heads. Were Californians supposed to celebrate this news simultaneously while their lives were upended?
In an impressive feat of tone-deafness, Biden closed his speech with a flamboyant declaration of family joy, blissfully unaware that this moment called for solemnity more than celebration. Instead of discussing strategies to fight the fires, he leaned into grandparenthood. It’s all fun and games until someone struggles to remember the gender of their new great-grandchild, highlighting just how checked-out he truly is. The fact that this news comes amidst a catastrophe suggests Biden’s priorities might be a touch misplaced.
Biden Slammed for Concluding LA Fire Briefing with 'Good News' About His Family: “There’s only one piece of good news,” Biden said. https://t.co/bMAwFjnDHf pic.twitter.com/MDedmqpBB6
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) January 9, 2025
The online reactions were swift and revealing. There’s a universal understanding among conservative commentators that if this kind of moment occurred under Donald Trump, the media would be ramping up impeachment conversations faster than a wildfire spreads through brush. While Biden is free to bask in the joy of family growth, the calamity around him demands a leader who can separate personal joy from national crises.
It deserves recognition that welcoming new life is a wonderful occasion; childbirth is indeed one of life’s greatest gifts. However, this is just an irritating sidestep from the real issue: Biden’s clear disengagement from the responsibilities of his office. With a state in turmoil and an administration more concerned about family announcements than combating devastating wildfires, it’s hard to see who exactly is in charge. If there’s an adult in the room, they’re conspicuously absent at this critical juncture. Californians, abandoned and bewildered, deserve far better than this half-hearted response.
