President Joe Biden reportedly regrets his decision to withdraw from this year’s presidential race, believing he could have defeated Donald Trump in last month’s election despite earlier negative polling, according to White House sources.
Biden has also expressed misgivings about appointing Merrick Garland as attorney general, citing Garland’s slow response in prosecuting Trump for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack and his handling of investigations involving Biden’s son, Hunter.
Biden’s Withdrawal and Its Fallout
Biden stepped aside in July following a poor debate performance and mounting pressure from fellow Democrats, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the ticket. Initially, Harris’s nomination energized the party and boosted poll numbers, but the campaign ended in a decisive loss to Trump.
Although Biden has refrained from publicly blaming Harris, his inner circle reportedly believes he could have secured victory had he remained in the race. Harris supporters, however, argue that Biden’s delayed withdrawal left her with insufficient time to mount an effective campaign.
Critics also point to Biden’s decision to seek re-election, breaking his 2020 pledge to serve as a “transitional” president. Senator Richard Blumenthal commented, “Biden ran on the promise of being transitional, passing the torch to a new generation. Running again undermined that concept.”
Doubts Over Merrick Garland’s Tenure
Biden’s regret over Garland’s appointment stems from frustration with the Justice Department’s deliberate pace in investigating Trump. Many Democrats share this sentiment, arguing that Garland’s cautious approach allowed Trump to avoid politically damaging legal battles before the election.
Garland, once considered a symbol of judicial fairness, was selected over other contenders, including former Senator Doug Jones, following the advice of then-Chief of Staff Ron Klain. Biden had hoped Garland would restore integrity to the Justice Department, but the choice has since faced scrutiny.
Trump has repeatedly accused Biden of “weaponizing” the Justice Department, even as investigations into Hunter Biden and Biden himself unfolded. These controversies have fueled Biden’s belief that a more politically savvy attorney general might have handled the situation differently.
Looking Back with Regret
With just weeks remaining in his presidency, Biden’s reflections highlight a presidency marked by challenges and difficult decisions. As he prepares to exit the political stage, his regrets over stepping aside and his choice of key personnel underscore the weight of leadership in an era of deep political divisions.
