What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
Weekend Recap: January 18-29, 2025
Editor’s note: This will be the last entry under the title “What Did Joe Biden Do Today?” Tomorrow ushers in a whole different era, along with a new title: “What Did Donald Trump Do Today?” As mentioned in past Stacks, the same objective format will be used with reference links in each summary story. Links to past Biden summaries will remain intact and available for reference, comparison, and contrast. Fasten your seatbelts…
President Biden and the First Lady's remarks in South Carolina highlighted their deep personal and historical connections with the state. Dr. Jill Biden reflected on how South Carolina offered comfort during their personal loss in 2015 and played a pivotal role in Biden's presidential journey. She thanked South Carolinians for their support, emphasizing the healing and hope they’ve provided to her family.
President Biden's speech focused on honoring the African-American experience and the historical significance of the International African American Museum in Charleston. He underscored the importance of acknowledging the nation’s history, including its painful chapters and the contributions of Black Americans to the country's development. He highlighted key achievements of his administration, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, infrastructure investments, and healthcare reforms like capping insulin costs for seniors.
The President emphasized his commitment to democracy, equity, and the ongoing journey to redeem the nation's soul. He thanked South Carolinians for their support and reiterated his gratitude for the resilience and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. The event concluded with a focus on hope, resilience, and unity for the future.
The White House released a report titled The National Resilience Strategy, which presents a comprehensive framework to enhance the United States’ ability to adapt, withstand, and recover from various threats, including climate change, emerging technologies, pandemics, wealth inequality, and geopolitical competition. It emphasizes collaboration across government entities, the private sector, communities, and international partners, focusing on four interconnected pillars: Governance, Social and Community Systems, Economic Systems, and Infrastructure Systems. The strategy aims to build a resilient nation by prioritizing inclusivity, sustainability, and equity.
The strategy is grounded in core principles that guide the nation’s resilience efforts. These include adaptability to evolving challenges, protection against risks, collaboration across sectors, fairness to address disparities, a human-centered focus on societal well-being, recognition of system interdependence, and sustainable, long-term solutions. These principles ensure that resilience initiatives are inclusive, data-driven, and responsive to diverse community needs.
Each of the four pillars provides a critical foundation for resilience. Governance Systems focus on fostering trust, transparency, and integration among leadership at all levels to ensure the continuity of essential functions during crises. Inclusive decision-making and stakeholder collaboration are emphasized to maintain public confidence and support. Social and Community Systems prioritize strengthening social connections, trust, and equity to enhance community capacity for recovery and adaptation. Chronic stressors, such as poverty and inequity, are addressed alongside acute shocks through inclusive policies, community-based organizations, and investments in social infrastructure. Economic Systems aim to create a diverse and equitable economy capable of withstanding disruptions and driving innovation. Key priorities include ensuring access to essential goods and services, creating good-paying jobs, and building resilience in supply chains and workforce development. Infrastructure Systems are designed to be resilient, sustainable, and capable of enduring physical and cyber disruptions. The strategy calls for modern, nature-based designs, strong cybersecurity measures, and equitable infrastructure development that meets the needs of all communities, especially the most vulnerable.
The strategy identifies cross-cutting themes, or "throughlines," that recognize the interconnectedness of risks across systems and sectors. These include addressing environmental hazards, climate change, digital transformation, strengthening cyber resilience and supply chains, and incorporating safety nets to protect against unforeseen disruptions. The strategy also highlights the importance of iterative learning and continuous feedback, which enable communities and systems to adapt and improve over time.
Opportunities for action include coordinated investments at all levels of government, proactive risk management to reduce vulnerabilities, and inclusive planning that engages diverse stakeholders. The strategy also emphasizes collaboration with international partners to tackle shared global challenges, ensuring resilience efforts extend beyond national borders.
The National Resilience Strategy seeks to embed resilience into the nation’s systems and practices, ensuring the United States can respond effectively to future challenges. The strategy aims to secure a more equitable, sustainable, and adaptive future for all Americans through collective efforts and intentional investments.
President Biden reflected on the impact of decades of "trickle-down economics," which, he stated, led to the offshoring of manufacturing jobs, decreased public investment, and the decline of once-thriving communities crucial to America's economic growth. Upon taking office, he recognized the struggles of these "left-behind" communities, such as factory towns, distressed areas, and coal-dependent regions.
Biden highlighted the historic investments made by his administration to support these areas, aiming to transform their economic setbacks into opportunities for recovery and growth. The Executive Order he signed today builds on these efforts, ensuring sustained access to federal resources for these communities.
The President also credited the collaboration and dedication of local leaders in rural and urban areas, spanning across politically diverse regions ("red and blue"), for fostering renewed optimism and progress. This Executive Order represents a commitment to rebuilding and empowering communities nationwide.
The Biden-Harris Administration has prioritized revitalizing economically distressed communities neglected by previous administrations' trickle-down policies, which led to declining infrastructure, job losses, and regional inequality. Over the past four years, the administration has implemented several initiatives to invest in manufacturing, innovation, and workforce development, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS & Science Act, and the American Rescue Plan. President Biden's recent Executive Order emphasizes whole-of-government coordination to support left-behind communities, directing federal resources to spur economic growth, disaster resilience, and equitable access to funding. These efforts include $235 million in new economic development awards, such as Tech Hubs fostering innovation in advanced industries across various states. Additionally, the administration has launched programs like the Good Jobs Challenge and Recompete Pilot Program, which target job creation and economic growth in historically underserved areas. Key accomplishments include billions in investments, thousands of jobs created, and a renewed focus on making innovation and manufacturing accessible nationwide.
President Biden announced clemency for seven individuals, emphasizing America's commitment to second chances. The actions include five pardons and two commutations for individuals who have shown remorse, rehabilitation, and contributions to their communities.
Pardoned Individuals:
Darryl Chambers (Delaware): Formerly convicted of a non-violent drug offense, now a violence prevention advocate, author, and community leader in Wilmington.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey (Posthumously): Early 20th-century civil rights leader known for founding the Universal Negro Improvement Association and the Black Star Line. Convicted of mail fraud in 1923, his work and legacy have been widely celebrated.
Ravidath "Ravi" Ragbir (New York): Immigrant and faith community advocate convicted of a non-violent offense, now recognized for promoting justice and supporting immigrant families.
Don Leonard Scott, Jr. (Virginia): Navy veteran and Virginia House Speaker, formerly convicted of a non-violent drug offense, now praised for public service and personal redemption.
Kemba Smith Pradia (Virginia): Criminal justice advocate formerly convicted of a non-violent drug offense, now a leader on issues like racial equity, domestic violence, and sentencing reform.
Commuted Sentences (effective February 18, 2025):
Robin Peoples: Serving 111 years for late-1990s crimes. Advocates highlight his rehabilitation and mentorship while incarcerated.
Michelle West: Serving a life sentence for crimes from 1987-1993. Praised for over three decades of transformation, advocacy, and role modeling.
The White House underscored the clemency recipients’ positive contributions and the potential for justice reform.
President Biden issued an executive order partially revoking Executive Order 13961, initially implemented in December 2020, to govern and integrate federal mission resilience. The new order revokes Sections 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of Executive Order 13961, renumbering Sections 2, 6, and 8 as Sections 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Section 1 is amended to simplify language by replacing the clause “To achieve this policy, in conjunction” with “In conjunction.” Section 2(b) is revised to replace the reference to the Executive Committee with the Restricted Principals Committee, as outlined in the National Continuity Policy memorandum issued on January 19, 2025.
The executive order specifies that it does not affect existing legal authorities or the functions of executive departments, agencies, or the Office of Management and Budget. Implementation is to be consistent with applicable laws and contingent on available appropriations. Furthermore, the order clarifies that it does not create enforceable rights or benefits for individuals or entities against the United States government. The order was signed at the White House on January 19, 2025.
Thanks, Joe!
Thank you for your efforts to keep us informed. Will miss hearing what the Biden administration was doing every day for the American people