Staff Reports
President Joe Biden may still technically occupy the Oval Office until January 2025, but his political pulse has flatlined ever since he tossed his re-election bid into the wastebasket last July. In an unprecedented move that’s left some to wonder if he’s merely a figurehead, the aging president has made it increasingly clear that he’s ready to hand over the reins to Vice President Kamala Harris, or perhaps even his wife, Jill.
Biden’s resigned leadership was on full display when first lady Jill Biden took the spotlight as head of the U.S. delegation to the inauguration of Mexico’s newly elected president, Claudia Sheinbaum. What’s next? Will Jill be leading the charge at the next NATO summit, too? It continues to raise questions about who is really in charge when the president himself seems to be swooping out of sight.
It was an honor to attend the inauguration of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo in Mexico City today, alongside @FLOTUS First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, and civil rights activist @DoloresHuerta. pic.twitter.com/zqSjX3baeK
— Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) October 1, 2024
Sheinbaum made history by becoming the first woman and the first person of Jewish descent to take office in Mexico, which is either a powerful milestone or just another reason for liberals to pat themselves on the back. Meanwhile, Jill, alongside a gaggle of high-ranking Democrats, jaunted down to Mexico City to celebrate this momentous occasion—even if it leaves many wondering why the president couldn’t muster the energy to show up himself.
While Jill bid adieu to any semblance of traditional decorum by leading the delegation, President Biden opted to send a half-hearted statement of congratulations, reassuring everyone that he and Jill wish the new president “well” and anticipate a flourishing partnership. It’s all very sweet and touchy-feely, but let’s not kid ourselves: it certainly feels more like a farewell tour than a coming-out party for a new administration.
The ongoing spectacle begs the question: is Biden fully engaged, or has he passed his presidential duties over to his other half, much like he might hand off the remote during a heated game? Just a week before Jill strutted off to Mexico, the president held a Cabinet meeting but, predictably, handed the proceedings over to his wife within minutes. Jill took the reins and ran with them, outperforming her husband in the speaking department and handing out directives to department heads like they were candy. One can only hope this is a temporary phase and not a new pattern for the leadership of the White House.
At the end of the day, this ongoing abdication by President Biden raises eyebrows, along with questions about the administration’s ability to continue steering the United States in the right direction. If this is the future of leadership in America—where the first lady is running the show while the president plays second fiddle—then buckle up, America. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
