Staff Reports
President Joe Biden has slammed the brakes on his international tour, which included a trip to Germany and Angola, all in response to the encroaching danger of Hurricane Milton. With the storm barreling toward the Florida coast, the administration seems to have finally recognized that sticking around for photo ops overseas might not be the best choice when a potential natural disaster is right at the doorstep.
Biden’s decision comes with the usual dose of cautious optimism, reassuring everyone that staying put is paramount. He even labeled Milton as a contender for one of the worst storms in a century, suggesting that the White House has adopted the philosophy of “better safe than sorry.” While many would agree with the need to prioritize the safety of Americans, one can’t help but wonder if he should have delayed his travels a bit sooner—especially after watching the weather reports.
Biden cancels overseas trip to focus on storm pic.twitter.com/oBQecv95o1
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) October 8, 2024
As Milton prepares to unleash its fury, the warnings coming out of Florida have escalated to a level that even the most hardened Floridians can’t shrug off. Residents forced to evacuate are being told that they are in an “extremely life-threatening situation.” For visitors packing their bags, that’s a polite way of saying, “Get out now, or risk staying behind to brave the storm.” The state has taken measures to ease the evacuation process by suspending tolls on major highways—no one wants to pay for an express lane to a hurricane, after all.
While Biden tries to maintain a unified front in dealing with the disaster, the ever-controversial Vice President Kamala Harris is stirring the pot. In her typical fashion, she’s decided to engage in a war of words with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, accusing him of “playing political games.” Meanwhile, Biden takes the opposite stance, praising DeSantis for his cooperation throughout the crisis. The blatant discord within the administration raises eyebrows—does the left hand even know what the right hand is doing?
Regardless of the bumpiness in communication coming from the White House, many Floridians are likely grateful that their governor is getting the support he needs from the president. Nonetheless, one has to appreciate the irony: as hurricanes wreak havoc on the state, the Biden administration bickers like a couple of siblings fighting over the TV remote. Perhaps if they spent a bit less time bickering and more time coordinating, the American people would feel a little more confident about their leadership during such tumultuous times.
