A recent analysis by the Republican National Committee has highlighted the significant amount of time President Joe Biden has spent on vacation during his presidency. The 81-year-old has reportedly taken 532 vacation days in under four years, equating to roughly 40 percent of his time in office.
To put this in perspective, President Biden has accrued more vacation days in a shorter span than the average American worker would in nearly five decades. With the typical American receiving 11 vacation days per year, Biden’s time off is equivalent to about 48 years’ worth of vacation for an ordinary citizen.
Critics argue that this level of vacation is inappropriate given the current global uncertainties and domestic issues. Mark Paoletta, a former official in the Trump administration, remarked, “The image of Biden fast asleep on the beach while America and the world is on fire will define the Biden presidency,” according to the New York Post.
Outrage grows over vacations
Concerns about President Biden’s vacation frequency have been amplified by ongoing issues such as inflation, border security, and international conflicts. Some have called for greater focus on these pressing matters.
Despite the criticism, White House aides emphasize that President Biden, like past presidents, continues to work remotely while on vacation and is always on call. Nonetheless, some have questioned the length and frequency of his breaks. Representative Nicole Malliotakis humorously suggested that he should consider taking more time off.
A comparison of presidential vacation habits shows that Biden’s 40 percent out-of-office ratio surpasses that of his predecessors. For example, former President Donald Trump spent 26 percent of his presidency on personal trips, while Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama each vacationed for only 11 percent of their two-term presidencies. Jimmy Carter, in contrast, took just 79 vacation days during his single term.
