President Joe Biden is reportedly expressing regret over stepping aside from the 2024 presidential race. According to reports, he believes he could have defeated President-elect Donald Trump. Notably, Trump secured a decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 election.
Biden’s Reflections on Campaign Decisions
Significantly, Biden regrets appointing Merrick Garland as attorney general. He reportedly feels Garland was too slow to prosecute Trump for the January 6 insurrection. At the same time, Garland’s justice department aggressively investigated Biden’s son, Hunter. Consequently, this decision has become a major source of regret for the outgoing president.
Initially, Biden decided to step aside in July following a poor performance in the first debate against Trump. Furthermore, growing pressure from fellow Democrats and polling evidence suggested Biden was losing ground. Although Harris took over the campaign, she ultimately failed to secure enough votes, losing both the Electoral College and the popular vote.
Aides Share Biden’s Concerns
Interestingly, Biden’s staff also believes the election outcome could have been different if he had remained in the race. While they avoid blaming Harris directly, they acknowledge her campaign lacked sufficient momentum. Although her early efforts brought enthusiasm and improved poll numbers, this surge was short-lived and led to a decisive loss.
Moreover, Harris’s supporters argue that Biden’s delayed decision to step aside left her with insufficient time to mount an effective campaign. They also criticize him for breaking his 2020 pledge to be a “transitional president.” Senator Richard Blumenthal noted, “This decision undermined the strategy to defeat Trumpism.”
Regret Over Garland’s Appointment
Another point of contention is Biden’s appointment of Garland as attorney general. Initially, Biden praised Garland for his potential to restore integrity to the justice department. However, reports suggest that Biden’s chief of staff, Ron Klain, persuaded him to make this choice. Despite Klain’s argument that Garland’s reputation for fairness would reassure the public, Biden now believes Doug Jones, a Democratic senator from Alabama, would have been a better fit for the role.
Trump, meanwhile, accused the justice department of being “weaponized” against him. Investigations into Trump’s involvement in the January 6 insurrection and mishandling of classified documents fueled these accusations. In retrospect, Biden feels a different attorney general could have handled these challenges more effectively.
White House Remains Silent
Despite the widespread discussion, the White House has yet to comment on these revelations. This report highlights Biden’s internal struggles and the broader challenges within the Democratic Party. In hindsight, his decisions during his presidency and campaign continue to spark significant debate.
