As Joe Biden nears the end of his presidency, his final weeks in office have been a mix of farewell gestures, holiday traditions, and simmering tensions with former allies within the Democratic Party.
Both he and First Lady Jill Biden have taken steps that suggest a focus on settling political scores, reshaping relationships, and preparing for life outside the White House.
Biden recently sparked controversy with his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, just weeks before the end of his term.
The move, which came after months of public statements suggesting he wouldn’t intervene, has reportedly angered senior Democrats.
Alongside this pardon, Joe quietly commuted around 1,500 sentences, including one for an individual connected to the Chinese Communist Party, raising further questions about the administration’s actions in its waning days.
Sources close to the administration claim that Jill Biden has been a significant influence in urging the president to take bold steps during his final weeks. “Jill views Democrats on Capitol Hill, the wider party, the Obamas, staff inside and outside the White House, the media, and all of Washington, D.C., with such misguided resentment that I can’t imagine she [isn’t] encouraging [Joe] to burn the whole thing down,” an insider shared.
Among the Bidens’ perceived adversaries is former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who led efforts earlier this year to convince Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.
Despite decades of friendship, the president has reportedly severed communication with Pelosi, who was notably seated far from the Bidens during the Kennedy Center Honors this month—a marked contrast to her past appearances as a guest of honor.
Kamala Harris has also found herself on shaky ground with the president.
Despite Biden’s swift endorsement of Harris following his withdrawal from the 2024 race, tensions between the two have grown after her defeat by Donald Trump in the presidential election.
Harris lost both the popular vote and the Electoral College, a result that has left Biden reportedly questioning how her campaign failed despite significant financial support.
Democratic donor John Morgan speculated that Biden’s endorsement of Harris may have been partly motivated by frustration with party leaders like Pelosi and Barack Obama, both of whom had reservations about Harris’s candidacy. “I think he got pissed off [and] said, ‘F*** you,’ and gave us Harris,” Morgan remarked.
The Bidens’ final holiday season in the White House has been noticeably subdued.
Fewer parties have been held for staff and supporters, and the president and first lady spent the early part of December overseas.
Some Democratic members received White House tour invitations in lieu of traditional party invites.
During a recent White House women’s health conference, Jill Biden made remarks that many interpreted as a jab at Harris’s campaign slogan centered on “joy.”
Her comments drew laughter from the audience, further fueling speculation about discord within the administration.
With the presidency winding down, Biden is reportedly considering establishing his presidential library in Delaware.
Jill Biden, meanwhile, announced her retirement from teaching, ending her tenure as an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College.
However, the Bidens have made it clear they intend to remain active in the public sphere. “We’re no longer going to be President and First Lady, but we’re not going away,” Biden stated recently.
Amid these plans, some Democratic donors are said to be withholding support for Biden’s post-presidency endeavors, citing frustration over his handling of the 2024 race.
Nonetheless, the Biden family continues to strengthen relationships elsewhere, including with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, whose foundation contributed $250,000 to Ashley Biden’s wellness center in Philadelphia.
As Biden prepares to leave the White House, the administration’s final weeks are a reflection of both its achievements and the challenges that have defined his presidency.
While some celebrate his legacy, others within the Democratic Party are left questioning the choices made in his final chapter.
