Former President Joe Biden regrets his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, according to White House sources cited in a new Washington Post profile.
The extensive profile details Biden's dissatisfaction with key decisions made during his presidency, particularly his withdrawal from the race in July following a difficult debate performance against Trump and increasing pressure from Democratic leadership. The decision came amid growing concerns within the party about Biden's campaign performance and led to Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic nominee. She subsequently lost to Trump in the general election.
While Biden and his team have carefully avoided direct criticism of Harris's campaign, the Post's sources indicate a belief within Biden's circle that his continued candidacy might have yielded different results. Harris's supporters have pushed back against this narrative, arguing that Biden's delayed exit from the race left the Vice President with insufficient time to build an effective campaign structure.
The profile also reveals Biden's frustration with his choice of Merrick Garland as attorney general. According to the report, Biden needed convincing from his then-chief of staff, Ron Klain, to select Garland over former Alabama Senator Doug Jones. Klain's argument centered on Garland's reputation for impartiality, which he believed would help restore public confidence in the Justice Department's independence following the Trump years.
Biden now reportedly views this appointment as problematic, sharing the frustrations of many Democrats who believed Garland moved too cautiously in prosecuting Trump for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. The attorney general's approach led to the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith, whose cases against Trump were ultimately dismissed following Trump's election victory.
The Justice Department under Garland has also drawn criticism from Biden's allies for its aggressive pursuit of cases against Hunter Biden, creating what sources describe as additional tension between the President and his attorney general. Earlier this month, Smith formally requested the dismissal of the criminal cases against Trump following his election victory, effectively bringing the prosecutions to an end.
The Washington Post's reporting suggests these decisions continue to weigh heavily on Biden, particularly as he observes the political landscape following his departure from the presidential race. The profile paints a picture of a president grappling with the consequences of key strategic choices made during his tenure, while offering a glimpse into the internal dynamics that shaped critical moments in recent American political history.
Israel National News contributed to this article.
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