Staff Reports
The transition from one presidency to another is expected to be a dignified affair, but anyone who has watched political history knows differently. Contrary to the incessant media chatter about President Trump refusing to leave the White House, the reality is he did exit the building—without the usual handshakes and social niceties that usually come with a new commander-in-chief. Trump didn’t dawdle waiting for a photo op with Joe Biden, who ironically did manage to show up smiling, while Melania Trump smartly chose to skip the ritualistic meeting with Biden’s wife.
In the backrooms of political gossip, one will often find tales that sound more like kindergarten drama than the high-stakes world of politics. The so-called “W” key scandal from the Clinton to Bush transition remains an example of just how low some can go. Reports of trash left strewn about and doorknobs mysteriously disappearing paint a less-than-flattering picture of outgoing staff. The recent shift certainly raised the eyebrows of those who remember the disdain some Democrats showed toward Trump, who they demonized with absurd claims like “Trump is Hitler.” The question now is, what petty antics might be in store when the Biden administration exits?
— 🇺🇸Just call me Cathy 🇺🇸🗣 (@cathy_honeyrun) November 20, 2024
Fast-forward to the Biden administration, which is hard at work trying to “Trump-proof” policies and initiatives. The much-touted Inflation Reduction Act failed to address inflation, instead focusing on bizarre projects like building electric vehicle charging stations—where only a handful have sprouted up. However, amidst this failed promise lies the so-called smart investment known as the CHIPS Act, which aims to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to American shores. Rather than depending on the whims of Taiwan, the CHIPS Act pledges to create a self-sufficient chip manufacturing sector, thereby securing the nation’s economic and national security interests.
Signed into law back in August 2022, the CHIPS Act allocates a whopping $50 billion to boost domestic chip production. The funding is earmarked for everything from research and workforce development to re-establishing manufacturing bases that the U.S. has become too reliant on foreign suppliers for. With $39 billion still unspent, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo is diving headlong into spending plans that appear to favor a quick rollout over considered actions. Her intentions to allocate funds and ink contracts could smooth over relations with Trump’s team, but ideologically driven haste seems to be her guiding star.
Raimondo’s enthusiasm raises eyebrows. As the digital landscape evolves, she is keen on ensuring every penny is spent and contracts signed before the Trump team arrives. Ironically, she has expressed a strong disdain for Trump, claiming he is nothing but untruthful. Yet, her rush to spend could lead to a mess reminiscent of the Obama-era Solyndra fiasco, when money was poured into projects with little scrutiny—showing just how unwise it is to act out of spite instead of sound policy-making. The Biden administration must avoid making the same mistakes that plagued the last Democratic presidency, as they gear up to hand over the reins again.
With billions at their disposal, the Biden administration’s current approach might lead to decisions that prioritize a political agenda over wise investments, particularly if it amounts to simply trying to outdo Trump. The urgency to spend without thoughtful deliberation poses a risk—one that might lead to another costly lesson rather than a prudent investment in America’s future. Conservatives hope that the examination of these decisions and the subsequent scrutiny will not only reveal flawed policies but also prepare the stage for a return to more sensible governance when the pendulum inevitably swings back.
