President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will make their first appearance together since Election Day at a Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, participating in a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony and delivering remarks at the National Veterans Day Observance. Despite the Democrats’ defeat, with some supporters expressing frustration over Biden’s decision to continue his re-election campaign until the summer, Harris and other backers believe history may remember Biden for his achievements in the long term. However, Biden’s legacy as the president who beat Donald Trump only to potentially usher in another Trump administration four years later is a concern for critics. On Thursday, Biden addressed the election results in the White House Rose Garden and is set to meet with Trump to discuss the presidential transition.
Andrew Yang, who ran against Biden in the 2020 Democratic nomination and endorsed Harris, points to President Biden as bearing the biggest responsibility for the party’s loss in the presidential election. Yang believes that if Biden had stepped down earlier, the outcome may have been different. Thom Reilly from Arizona State University also suggests that Biden may face a challenging legacy, potentially as the president who paved the way for another Trump administration. Despite criticism, Biden urged Americans to remember the accomplishments of his presidency during his address in the Rose Garden, congratulating Trump and highlighting the historic nature of his own presidency.
There has been some criticism within the Democratic party about the handling of the election by the party, including attempts to reach never-Trump voters and ignoring disaffected Democrats. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged that Democrats may have been caught up in a wave of anti-incumbency following the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to political shifts globally. Jean-Pierre did not directly address questions about Biden’s timing in bowing out of the re-election campaign, stating only that he believed he made the right decision. The party is reflecting on their strategies and looking to move forward despite the election results.
President Biden’s meeting with Trump to discuss the presidential transition, following Harris’s concession speech, highlights the importance of a smooth transfer of power. Biden praised Harris for running an “historic campaign” under “extraordinary circumstances.” The event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day is a significant moment for the President and Vice President to honor the service and sacrifice of the country’s veterans. The involvement of First Lady Jill Biden, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and other officials underscores the importance of the ceremony.
The Democrats, as they regroup after the election, are navigating the aftermath of their defeat and pondering their path forward. The criticisms and frustrations expressed by some within the party suggest a need for reflection and reevaluation of their strategies. While President Biden faces challenges in how history may perceive his presidency, he is encouraged by some to consider his achievements and contributions to the country. As the nation looks towards the next steps in the transition of power, the focus remains on honoring veterans and their service on Veterans Day, with Biden and Harris leading the way in this important commemoration.
