What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
January 17, 2025 Recap
President Biden announced the commutation of sentences for nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses. These individuals had received disproportionately long sentences under outdated laws compared to current standards. This action addresses disparities, including those between crack and powder cocaine sentencing, and reflects reforms such as the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act. Biden highlighted this effort as part of his commitment to correcting historic injustices, enabling deserving individuals to reunite with their families and communities. He noted this as part of his record-breaking clemency efforts and promised ongoing reviews for future clemency actions.
View the clemency recipient list here.
President Biden announced the selection of 15 additional drugs for Medicare price negotiation, building on the previous 10 drugs already negotiated. These medications, which treat conditions such as diabetes and cancer, collectively account for about one-third of Medicare Part D prescription drug spending. The effort, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to lower costs for seniors. Biden highlighted the first round of negotiations last year, which reduced prices by 40-80%, emphasizing the administration's commitment to cutting drug costs and delivering savings for older Americans.
The 2025 Global Fragility Act Biennial Progress Report to Congress highlights progress in implementing the Global Fragility Act (GFA) of 2019, which seeks to enhance U.S. conflict prevention and stabilization efforts. Through the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, the government collaborates with partners to promote resilience, save lives, and reduce long-term costs. The report details progress in priority regions, including Haiti, Libya, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Coastal West Africa (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo).
In Coastal West Africa, efforts focus on preventing violent extremism, strengthening social cohesion, and expanding livelihoods in vulnerable border areas. Early results indicate reduced border conflict, improved trust between communities and authorities, and greater inclusion of marginalized ethnic groups, youth, and women. The U.S. addresses political and security crises in Haiti by mobilizing international support, promoting a Haitian-led transitional political process, and advancing governance and citizen security. These efforts are informed by input from Haitian civil society, faith-based organizations, and the diaspora to adapt to evolving conditions.
In Libya, U.S. engagement focuses on reconciliation, citizen engagement, and local governance, particularly in the south. Efforts to foster security and economic integration have supported historically marginalized communities and encouraged international collaboration. Similarly, the U.S. has launched peacebuilding and stabilization programs in Mozambique to enhance governance and community resilience in conflict-affected areas. These initiatives align with broader goals of rebuilding northern Mozambique and promoting democratic governance. In Papua New Guinea, U.S. efforts aim to strengthen local capacities to prevent violence, improve justice systems, and expand economic opportunities, focusing on advancing gender equality and youth participation.
Beyond these regions, the U.S. has strengthened international partnerships through initiatives such as the U.S.-German Coastal States Stability Mechanism in West Africa and Libya’s Reconstruction Fund. Data-driven approaches to conflict prevention, such as the Complex Risk Analytics Fund, address critical gaps, while collaboration with multilateral development banks and private sectors supports locally driven economic development.
Although these initiatives are early, the U.S. government remains committed to learning and adapting its approach. The GFA aims to prevent conflict, alleviate suffering, and empower partners to address the fragility drivers that threaten regional stability and U.S. national security.
President Biden reaffirmed his long-standing support for the ERA, emphasizing the importance of ensuring full equality for women and ending sex-based discrimination. He highlighted that Virginia's ratification of the ERA on January 27, 2020, marked the 38th state to approve the amendment, meeting the constitutional threshold. Citing the American Bar Association and constitutional scholars, he declared the ERA the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Biden called for the recognition of the American people's will, affirming his belief that the ERA is now law, guaranteeing equal rights and protections for all Americans regardless of sex.
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to eradicating human trafficking, emphasizing prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships to address this pervasive issue both in the United States and globally. Over the past three years, the administration has implemented a wide range of initiatives to combat this crime. In prevention efforts, agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched bilingual public awareness campaigns and training resources to help individuals recognize and report trafficking. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided education on human trafficking prevention to over 81,500 students and 22,600 school staff, reaching millions through public awareness campaigns. Supply chain oversight was bolstered with tools developed by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Commerce (DOC) to detect forced labor in global supply chains. At the same time, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) addressed trafficking in the maritime industry. Workforce training was also crucial, with over 82,000 federal acquisition personnel trained to combat trafficking.
Protection efforts focused on enhancing victim-centered and trauma-informed strategies. HHS supported over 20,000 survivors of trafficking and addressed more than 43,000 potential trafficking situations, while the Department of Justice (DOJ) allocated $350 million for direct services like housing and legal aid. Law enforcement personnel received specialized training to identify better and assist trafficking victims—the DHS streamlined immigration processes to help survivors access temporary protections and benefits more quickly. Regarding prosecution, federal agencies intensified their efforts to hold traffickers accountable. The DOJ led landmark cases, including forced labor prosecutions, while DHS made over 2,500 trafficking-related arrests in 2024 alone. The Department of the Treasury used sanctions to disrupt trafficking networks, targeting entities involved in forced labor and systemic human rights abuses.
The administration has also prioritized partnerships to combat trafficking more effectively. Globally, agencies collaborated with international partners to address trafficking in supply chains and foster survivor leadership. Public-private initiatives included training industry partners to detect trafficking and strengthen public health supply chains. Survivor engagement was a key component, with federal agencies incorporating survivor input into policy development, leadership training, and support initiatives. These efforts reflect a comprehensive strategy to address systemic inequities, protect vulnerable populations, and hold perpetrators accountable, ensuring a unified federal response to eliminate human trafficking.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on TikTok. She emphasized President Biden's long-standing position: TikTok should remain accessible to Americans but under ownership that resolves national security concerns identified by Congress. She acknowledged that, due to timing, the responsibility for implementing the law will pass to the next administration, which takes office on Monday.
President Biden established the Presidential Records Transition Task Force in February 2024 to address longstanding challenges in handling classified documents during presidential transitions. Composed of federal agencies and White House components, the Task Force evaluated previous practices and proposed recommendations to improve the management of sensitive materials. Key recommendations include providing improved guidance materials to staff, enhancing year-round training on the Presidential Records Act and classified records handling, and advocating for Congressional funding to support secure storage spaces for former Presidents and Vice Presidents to access classified materials post-transition. These measures ensure proper preservation and minimize inadvertent mismanagement of classified materials. Some recommendations, such as updated staff documentation and offboarding briefings, were implemented during the Biden-Harris Administration’s transition. Additionally, the Task Force urged exploring interim secure facilities for classified record review while post-administration spaces are constructed, emphasizing a collaborative approach to safeguarding sensitive Presidential records.
The Investing in America Report highlights President Biden’s transformative agenda to revitalize the nation through strategic investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy. Entering office amid a pandemic and economic turmoil, the Biden-Harris Administration implemented the American Rescue Plan to stabilize the economy and support Americans with relief measures, successfully avoiding a prolonged recession. This laid the groundwork for historic legislation, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act, which collectively marked the largest investments in U.S. infrastructure, climate action, and domestic manufacturing since the New Deal. These efforts have created over 16 million jobs, reduced unemployment to historic lows, and spurred $1 trillion in private sector investments while addressing critical issues like clean drinking water, reliable internet access, and supply chain resilience. The report underscores the long-term impact of these initiatives, which aim to bolster America’s global economic position, promote equitable growth, and ensure prosperity for generations to come.
The Biden-Harris Administration report highlights record-low crime rates achieved under their leadership. Following a historic rise in murders in 2020, President Biden and Vice President Harris prioritized public safety, emphasizing that the government’s primary responsibility is to protect its citizens. Their administration implemented significant investments in public safety, leading to a 50-year low in violent crime and a substantial decline in homicides over the past four years. The White House Domestic Policy Council outlined the policies, investments, and collaborations that contributed to this progress.
President Biden issued a memorandum delegating specific sanctions-related authorities to various Cabinet members to ensure the effective implementation of legislation. Under the FEND Off Fentanyl Act (Division E of Pub. L. 118-50), the President delegated functions and authorities to the Secretary of the Treasury under sections 3102(a), 3102(b), and 3103, with consultation from the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State was delegated authority under section 3104(b), while the Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Secretary of the Treasury were jointly assigned responsibilities under section 3105(a)(2).
For other sanctions-related matters under Division G of Pub. L. 118-50, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, was delegated functions under section 1(a). The Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State were further assigned functions under section 1(b), with additional consultation involving the Attorney General and Secretary of Commerce, as appropriate.
In addition, under the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023 (Division S of Pub. L. 118-50), the President delegated authorities under section 1245(d)(5)(B) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, as amended, to the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State. Finally, the Secretary of the Treasury was directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register. This delegation of authority aims to facilitate the efficient administration of sanctions and related measures.
President Biden delivered remarks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors, reflecting on the critical role of local governments in addressing community needs and his administration's collaboration with mayors over the past four years. He emphasized his roots in local governance, recalling his time as a councilman, and acknowledged the importance of mayors in answering pressing community questions, such as ensuring safety, creating jobs, and building resilient neighborhoods. The President credited local leaders for partnering with his administration to deliver transformative policies and investments.
Biden highlighted key achievements, starting with pandemic recovery efforts driven by the American Rescue Plan, which provided direct funding to local governments, bypassing state legislatures to ensure communities received immediate support. He celebrated the passage of the Invest in America Act, which modernized infrastructure, improved roads and bridges, provided clean water, and expanded high-speed internet access. Additionally, he praised historic investments in climate change initiatives that created clean energy jobs while protecting the environment, showing that economic growth and environmental stewardship can coexist.
Economic growth and job creation were central to his address. President Biden noted the creation of 16.6 million new jobs, the lowest average unemployment rate in 50 years, and the revitalization of domestic semiconductor manufacturing. He highlighted new factories creating thousands of well-paying jobs that support entire communities. Biden also pointed to social policies aimed at improving quality of life, including significant legislation on gun safety, reductions in overdose deaths, and improved access to life-saving medications like Narcan. He proudly noted that violent crime rates had fallen to a 50-year low under his administration.
The President discussed key healthcare reforms, such as capping Medicare prescription costs for seniors at $2,000 annually and empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices, which are projected to save taxpayers $160 billion over the next decade. He also declared the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution, reaffirming the principle of gender equality. Additionally, Biden announced criminal justice reforms, including commutations and pardons for nonviolent drug offenders, emphasizing second chances and reintegration into society.
President Biden thanked the mayors for their leadership and partnership in achieving these milestones. He reflected on the United States' resilience and reiterated his belief in collective action to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. Biden called on leaders to continue working together to ensure a fair shot for every American, emphasizing that unity and collaboration are essential to the nation’s progress.
President Biden Delivers Remarks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors
i'm going to miss these updates on the biden administration