President Joe Biden has expressed confidence that he would have triumphed over Donald Trump if he had run for re-election. talking to USA TODAY In an interview, Biden suggested his ability to secure another victory was not in doubt, although he admitted concerns about the physical demands of a second term.
“I think he could have won,” Biden said. “So far, so good. But who knows what I will be when I am 86?” The president, whose term will end in two weeks, also discussed possible actions in his final days.
Reflecting on legacy and final decisions
Sitting at the Resolute Desk with a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt behind him, Biden spoke candidly about his hopes for how history will judge his presidency. “I hope history says that I came in and had a plan to restore the economy and reestablish America’s leadership in the world,” he said. “And I hope it goes on record that I did it with honesty and integrity.”
He reflected on how to confront global challenges and create international coalitions during a transformative period. “The world really is getting smaller,” Biden observed. “What happens in Japan deeply affects what happens in Ukraine.”
As his presidency draws to a close, Biden is considering a controversial move: granting preemptive pardons to figures like Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci, who have faced threats of legal action under incoming President Trump’s administration.
“I tried to make it clear that it was not necessary,” Biden said. “It is a contradictory period for their interest to go back and try to settle accounts.”
‘I had to ask myself if I could meet the physical and mental demands of another term’
When asked about his decision not to seek re-election, Biden linked it to the physical realities of the presidency. He acknowledged the cost of the role, saying, “I had to ask myself if I could meet the physical and mental demands of another four years.”
Biden also delved into his legacy, emphasizing his efforts to guide the country through significant changes. “I think the United States is desperately needed to lead the world,” he said. “Who leads and tries to form international coalitions if we don’t?”
