In his final stretch as president, Joe Biden has unleashed a whirlwind of decisions that seem less about governing and more about tossing a few landmines in the path of the incoming Trump administration. From doling out last-minute student debt relief to auctioning off sections of the border wall, Biden’s parting moves have sparked frustration and raised eyebrows. President-elect Donald Trump didn’t mince words during a recent radio appearance, calling out Biden’s actions as deliberate obstacles aimed at complicating his first 100 days in office.
One of the most contentious actions involved Biden’s decision to ban future offshore oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of U.S. coastal territory. The move, which Biden described as a win for environmental policy, was slammed by Trump and his allies as an overreach that stifles economic growth and energy independence. Trump vowed to overturn the ban immediately, noting that the affected area is larger than the Louisiana Purchase—a staggering loss of opportunity for domestic energy production. Critics argue that the ban is a classic example of prioritizing performative environmentalism over practical solutions.
Biden’s last-minute push to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 900,000 individuals is another thorn in Trump’s side. With a significant portion of these extensions benefiting Venezuelans, the move appears designed to preempt Trump’s planned crackdown on illegal immigration. Democratic lawmakers had lobbied Biden to make this move before leaving office, and he obliged, adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile border situation. Meanwhile, Biden’s administration attempted to quietly auction off unused border wall materials—a practice halted by a court order following intervention from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Foreign policy wasn’t spared from Biden’s flurry of decisions. In a move that left many shaking their heads, Biden approved another $500 million aid package to Ukraine, complete with advanced military equipment. As if that weren’t enough, he ordered the transfer of 11 Yemeni detainees to Oman and removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The latter decision drew sharp criticism from members of his own party, with one Florida Democrat declaring it a gift-wrapped loss for Democrats in a state that has become increasingly red. Biden’s moves, critics argue, reflect a president more concerned with burnishing a legacy than safeguarding national interests.
On the domestic front, Biden took another swing at student loan debt, forgiving $183.6 billion for over 5 million borrowers, despite a Supreme Court ruling against similar relief measures in 2023. His administration celebrated this as a historic achievement, but detractors see it as an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars and a blatant attempt to score political points. Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration announced plans to extend teleworking arrangements for its employees until 2029, effectively locking in remote work policies for years to come. Trump has already pledged to challenge this decision in court, vowing to get federal employees back into the office or show them the door.
As the clock ticks down on the Biden presidency, the stage is set for a contentious transition. Biden’s actions have drawn praise from progressives but left conservatives fuming over what they see as last-minute pandering and reckless policymaking. For Trump, the next administration begins with an uphill battle to unravel a host of policies that seem designed to tie his hands and fuel political discord. Whether Biden’s legacy endures or is swiftly dismantled remains to be seen, but the parting shots have undoubtedly set the tone for a fiery start to Trump’s term.
