Staff Reports
Biden’s State Department is having a moment of clarity, albeit one that felt more like a bad case of indigestion. During a recent press briefing, spokesman Matthew Miller found himself praising the former Trump administration for its pivotal role in orchestrating a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. Apparently, in the mad scramble of politics, even the Biden administration can’t ignore the undeniable fact that the Trump team was instrumental in getting this diplomatic deal over the finish line, a fact that surely sits well with those older adults popping popcorn while watching the political circus unfold.
Miller’s remarks resonate like the final season of a sitcom nobody really wanted; there they were, publicly acknowledging that Trump’s crew had been “absolutely critical” in the negotiations. This kind of backhanded compliment is reminiscent of a cat trying to convince its owner that they, of course, wanted to play fetch all along—purely for entertainment, of course. With Biden set to vacate the Oval Office, the State Department is looking ahead, fully aware that the new administration will have to deal with the multiple phases of the agreement. It’s like passing the baton only to realize you gave it to someone who just tripped and fell.
Biden’s State Department Spokesperson on the ceasefire says that President Trump’s team was “absolutely critical in getting this deal over the line.”
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) January 15, 2025
The Biden administration decided to allow incoming Trump appointee Steve Witkoff to lead the negotiations, which must have sent shockwaves of confusion through the D.C. echo chamber. In a city that thrives on partisanship, seeing envoys from both the outgoing and incoming administrations sitting at the same table is like witnessing a group of cats peacefully lounging with a room full of fast-moving dogs. Their cozy little get-together was so “unprecedented,” it might just get a feature in a documentary about peace amid chaos.
But what’s particularly rich here is Biden’s transparent bid for sharing the glory. In a recent press conference, he took a moment to toot his own horn about the deal while reluctantly touching on Trump’s involvement. It’s a classic move—grab the mic and shout how great the band is while conveniently forgetting to credit the front-man who wrote all the songs. It’s hard to tell what Biden was aiming for: a commendation for his team, or an awkward footnote acknowledging that his administration’s success was more like a relay race where Trump already won the medal.
Now, Biden is claiming the deal stems from his administration’s efforts in May, an assertion that has likely left many with their eyebrows raised higher than a toddler’s in a candy store. Observers might ask, does this mean the Trump team is indirectly securing Biden’s legacy, while Biden’s team is left to polish the brass on a ship they didn’t build? If nothing else, this whole situation emphasizes one thing—politics is less about idealistic peace and more about who gets to claim victory in a game where they’re forced to share the field. The irony has never been richer.
