Editor’s Note: This article was originally featured in CNN’s Meanwhile in America newsletter, which covers US politics for an international audience. Tensions are running high inside the president’s armored limo on the morning of January 20, as President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, have a frosty relationship. The current president views the incoming president as a grave threat to the nation’s core values, while Trump has frequently mocked Biden and falsely claimed responsibility for his alleged legal troubles. The rift between the two leaders is deepening as the inauguration approaches, with Biden making calculated remarks to provoke Trump, who in turn is responding on social media.
In one instance, Biden cautioned against rushing to conclusions following a terrorist incident in New Orleans, a statement that seemed to contradict Trump’s earlier insinuation that the perpetrator was a foreign terrorist who crossed the southern border, when in fact he was a US citizen from Texas. Biden also emphasized the importance of decency, contrasting his views with what he perceives as Trump’s lack of moral character.
On another occasion, Biden honored Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman who clashed with Trump over the 2020 election results and the Capitol riot investigation. Despite threats from some Capitol Hill Republicans to investigate Cheney, Biden praised her for prioritizing the interests of the American people over party politics.
Meanwhile, Trump continues to criticize Biden, accusing him of mishandling security concerns and labeling him as the worst president in American history. While there are legitimate concerns about national security threats at the southern border, Biden’s stance remains consistent with warnings issued by his own administration. The ongoing war of words between the two leaders underscores the deep divisions in American politics.
Providing an example of this disturbing trend is more than just that. It serves as a signal of a greater concern for the FBI – the potential for an attack carried out by a US citizen who seems to have been influenced by ISIS to perpetrate violence of their own accord. Both Biden and Trump administrations have affirmed their collaborative efforts on critical national security issues, emphasizing that adversaries of the US should not attempt to take advantage of the transition period. However, amidst this cooperation, the relationship between the two presidents has never been more strained. Despite the growing divide, Biden is demonstrating respect towards Trump by delivering what the 45th president did not provide him: a smooth and undisputed handover of power following a democratic electoral process.
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