A tense atmosphere surrounds President Joe Biden's relationship with Attorney General Merrick Garland as his presidency nears its end.

According to Daily Mail, Biden has expressed regret over appointing Garland as attorney general, blaming him for the aggressive prosecution of his son Hunter while perceiving a slower pace in pursuing cases against Donald Trump.

Biden's frustration stems from the Justice Department's handling of two high-profile cases, with Democrats arguing that faster action on Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election and mishandling of classified documents could have impacted the recent election differently.

This development comes as Biden reflects on decisions made during his presidency, including his choice to step aside for Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential bid.

Initial Opposition To Garland Appointment Proves Prophetic

Former senator Ted Kaufman and Mark Gitenstein, two of Biden's closest advisers, had initially advocated for former Alabama state Senator Doug Jones as attorney general. Their recommendation was overruled in favor of Garland, who received strong backing from then-chief of staff Ron Klain. Democratic opposition to this decision emerged quickly, with critics now pointing to it as a significant misstep in Biden's presidency.

The decision-making process behind Garland's appointment has become a focal point of discussion among Democratic circles. Party members have increasingly voiced concerns about the Justice Department's priorities and timing under Garland's leadership. These concerns have intensified following Trump's victory over Harris in the recent election.

Presidential historian Julian E. Zelizer offered this assessment of Biden's tenure:

The job of a president is reading where the country, where the politics is, and winning in it. And winning includes not having your party being defeated by the person you essentially promised to expunge from American politics. President Biden and his supporters often yearn for a world that disappeared. You can't actually govern the way you did in the 1970s in 2021.

Harris Campaign Timeline Raises Questions About Transition

Biden's decision to withdraw from the race and support Harris's presidential bid has come under scrutiny from his own team. Aides suggested that the timing of his withdrawal left Harris with insufficient preparation time, allowing her only three months to establish her campaign. This compressed timeline may have contributed to the campaign's challenges against Trump.

The transition period's brevity has become a point of contention within Democratic circles. Strategic decisions regarding the handover of leadership have faced criticism for potentially undermining Harris's chances of success. The limited window for campaign preparation has been identified as a crucial factor in the election's outcome.

Some former Biden supporters have expressed disappointment with the president's approach to succession planning. Critics argue that a more extended transition period might have yielded different results in the presidential race.

Mixed Legacy Assessment Emerges From Biden Presidency

Former senator Ted Kaufman has defended Biden's presidential record despite the election outcome. He emphasized Biden's achievements in infrastructure development and his ability to work with a narrow Senate majority. These accomplishments stand in contrast to the challenges faced during the transition of power.

National security advisor Jake Sullivan acknowledged that Biden's long-term vision sometimes conflicted with immediate political realities. Sullivan noted that while Biden focused on decades-long impacts, political cycles operate on four-year terms. This disparity between timeframes may have affected strategic decision-making throughout the administration.

Biden's governance approach has faced criticism for its traditional nature in an era demanding innovation. Critics argue that his conventional methods proved insufficient to address modern political challenges and voter expectations.

Final Chapter In Presidential Legacy

President Joe Biden's tenure concludes with mixed reactions to his leadership choices and their consequences for the Democratic Party. His decision to appoint Merrick Garland as Attorney General and the subsequent handling of high-profile cases have become defining elements of his presidential legacy.

The convergence of delayed Trump prosecutions, Hunter Biden's legal troubles, and the compressed timeline for Harris's presidential campaign has created a complex narrative around Biden's final months in office.

These factors have collectively influenced public perception of his presidency and potentially contributed to the Democratic Party's electoral setback in the recent presidential race.

Why This Story Matters

This narrative is crucial for understanding the dynamics of presidential power, responsibility, and the profound impact of leadership decisions on national and global scales. It also illustrates the intersection of law, politics, and public perception and the complex consequences these elements can produce collectively.

As President Joe Biden prepares to hand over leadership to Donald Trump, his reflections on his terms and decisions, like the appointment of Merrick Garland, underline the complexities of political leadership and the unpredictable ripple effects they can create across a nation’s fabric.