President-elect Joe Biden has made many bold promises and announced multiple ambitious plans since winning the election, but he has yet to address a few important topics. Despite his pledge to put “unprecedented transparency (at the) core of his Presidency,” he has avoided taking a stance on several key issues during the transition period. This article will discuss the topics Biden keeps dodging and why it matters for the American people.
Background of Biden’s Promised Transparency
When Biden declared victory on November 7, 2020, he announced to the world, “This is a time for us to come together, to heal and to unite.” He also said that his victory symbolized a “new dawn of American leadership” and that one of his priorities would be making sure he and his administration could be trusted to “tell the truth.” One of Biden’s first campaign messages revolved around the theme of “transparency,” so many were surprised that he has been so slow to take a stance on certain topics, especially during the transition period.
Topic #1: Biden’s Tax Returns
President-elect Biden has yet to release his tax returns, although he declared during the 2020 election that he would be the “most transparent president in history.” This is in stark contrast to the presidents before him and raises red flags for many who are concerned about his commitment to transparency. Not only does it go against his word, but it also leaves many unanswered questions about his financial history and what he plans to do with the information.
Topic #2: Private Donations to Biden’s Transition Efforts
President-elect Biden’s transition team has also come under fire for not revealing who has been donating to their efforts. Biden has avoided releasing any information about this matter in spite of calls from the media and non-profits for full transparency on the issue.
Why Keeping Silent Is Problematic
There are many reasons why the President-elect’s failure to address these topics is problematic. Not only does it go against the promises he made to the American people, but it also undermines trust in the office of the President. Handling these topics with integrity and transparency is important for the American people to have confidence that the President has their best interest at heart and will not be influenced by powerful interests, be it people or corporations.
President-elect Joe Biden has made clear his strong commitment to transparency during his transition period, but his failure to address certain key topics has created a perception of evasiveness. While it is up to the President to decide whether or not to release certain information, many people are concerned that there is something he is trying to hide. It is essential for the integrity of his office that he handle these topics with total transparency, not only to build trust with the American people but also to ensure that they can trust him to keep his word. Otherwise, it could damage his credibility and set a dangerous precedent for future Presidents.
