'Future Over Past' Biden Aims at Xi Jinping Instead of Trump

No Mention After Expressing Regret Over Trump Impeachment Rejection
Lack of Time to Dwell on the Past for 2022 Midterm Election Victory
Urgent Need to Address Stimulus Bill and Other Current Issues
Seeking Cooperation with China at This Weekend's G7 Virtual Summit

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden is approaching the failed impeachment of former President Donald Trump with caution.

President Biden had previously taken a tough stance on the impeachment of former President Trump, but shifted to a more passive response after the Senate proceedings concluded. This is understood as a determination to focus all his energy on advancing his own policies rather than escalating conflicts with the Republican Party, learning from the experience of the Barack Obama administration. Biden also signaled that he will intensify his offensive against Chinese President Xi Jinping.

More than 24 hours have passed since the Senate's acquittal of President Trump on February 14 (local time), yet President Biden has not made any individual remarks. Although he stated in a White House statement immediately after the verdict that there is no doubt about Trump’s incitement of insurrection charges and that Trump is guilty, he has refrained from further comments.

The political media outlet Politico interpreted Biden’s actions as carrying significant meaning. Multiple sources reported that President Biden is focusing on accelerating policy implementation by contrasting the previous administration with his own.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) also viewed the conclusion of the impeachment process as an opportunity for the Biden administration to reduce its burdens and fully pursue its policy agenda. Urgent matters such as the passage of the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill remain, which explains why Biden has chosen to focus on the future rather than settling past scores.

Politico also noted that Biden’s silence on the failed impeachment of former President Trump reflects lessons learned from the Obama administration’s experience. Biden recalls how former President Obama, shortly after taking office in 2009, failed to actively counter Republican attacks on key policies like healthcare reform, losing control of the political agenda. This situation ultimately led to the Republican Party’s landslide victory in the 2010 midterm elections, which was effectively a midterm evaluation of the administration. At that time, the Republicans gained the majority in the House of Representatives.

Considering that the Democratic Party struggled and lost seats in the House elections held alongside the last presidential election, the White House has devised a strategy to firmly drive policies and focus on the next midterm elections. It also appears that political attention, which had been focused on Trump’s impeachment, is expected to shift toward the current administration’s policies.

Preparing to Attack Xi Jinping by Restoring Alliances Instead of Targeting Trump

In fact, President Biden took steps to restore alliances by congratulating Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on his inauguration via Twitter on the same day.

The White House also announced that President Biden will attend the upcoming G7 virtual summit on the 19th, where discussions on China, climate change, and COVID-19 response are planned.

It is noteworthy how President Biden, who has increased pressure on China since taking office, will seek coordinated responses with allies following his phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Republican Party is also recognizing this situation and has expressed the need to overcome conflicts from Trump’s impeachment process and unite in opposition to Biden’s agenda.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of former President Trump, declared in an interview with Fox News, "My goal is to win the 2022 midterm elections and block President Biden’s radical policies."

Meanwhile, although former President Trump has escaped impeachment, the prosecutorial net around him is tightening. The WSJ reported that New York prosecutors are investigating Trump-owned properties such as Trump Tower and Trump International Hotel in Manhattan. The New York prosecutors have been investigating allegations of loan fraud against former President Trump.