What Biden could do in his final days: Lessons from Carter's last moves
A look at how a presidentʼs final weeks can shape long-lasting policy changes. Historical examples and potential steps show how executive power can make real impact even in last days
In a surprising turn of events Joe Biden faces his last weeks as president‚ giving him one final chance to make lasting policy changes before Donald Trump returns to office
The situation looks tough — Bidens approval stays around 40% and his policies on key issues didnt help Kamala Harris campaign succeed. Many fellow-democrats think he shouldnt have run at all‚ which led to last-minute campaign problems
The historical example of Jimmy Carter shows how a one-term president can still make big changes. After losing to Ronald Reagan in fall of 80‚ Carter focused on protecting Alaskaʼs nature. Working with Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus‚ he used the old Antiquities Act to save 50-million acres as national monuments; this move made locals mad but environmentalists happy
In adding superfluous layers of protection‚ the Administration is perpetuating a popular belief about Alaska which simply is not true
Now Biden has several quick-action options:
- Change death-row sentences (first president against federal death penalty)
- Speed-up clean-energy funding before 2025
- Put limits on government data buying
- Make immigration rules more human-friendly
- Push for middle-east peace deals
Merrick Garland already stopped executions in 21‚ but new administration might start them again. Time is short but executive power gives Biden tools to make changes that could last way past his term
