One of the most egregious developments during the Biden era has been the utter lack of accountability that has become normalized throughout the executive branch in particular and the government in general.
During Biden’s four years as commander in chief, there have been myriad examples of Cabinet officials and mid-level bureaucrats committing atrocious errors in judgment, yet they routinely faced little to no accountability.
The disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in the summer of 2021 serves as a prime example of the absence of accountability under President Joe Biden. As most Americans are well aware, the Biden administration’s strategy to exit Afghanistan was ill-conceived, riddled with blatant blunders, and resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members at the Abbey Gate.
Despite this tragic comedy of errors, President Biden repeatedly claimed the exit was a “success.” In reality, it was a total failure. And Biden should have fired those in charge of the operation, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Speaking of Austin, why was he not taken to task when he went AWOL and did not inform Biden or any other White House staff that he was admitted to the hospital on January 1, 2024?
Why was Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg given a free pass when he went on a two-month paternity leave during the height of the supply chain crisis in the summer of 2021? Moreover, why was Buttigieg never held to account for the other crises that occurred on his watch?
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Why was Education Secretary Miguel Cardona not pressured to resign when he refused to condemn the anti-Semitic protests that engulfed college campuses after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023?
Why was Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden’s border czar, given a pat on the back despite the fact that tens of millions of illegal immigrants crossed the border under her tenure?
Why was Attorney General Merrick Garland allowed to run roughshod and persecute law-abiding Americans?
By no means is this a comprehensive list of the appalling actions and absence of accountability that occurred under Biden; it’s just the tip of the ice berg, actually.
Unfortunately, the executive branch is not the only public institution refraining from holding those accountable who have made grievous errors.
Consider the current situation in California. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom were completely ill-prepared for the wildfires that have destroyed entire towns in the Golden State. In fact, one can make an argument that their sheer stupidity made the situation far worse than it would have been. However, instead of accepting responsibility and taking accountability, which is what leaders do, both Bass and Newsom are playing the blame game and absolving themselves of any responsibility.
Unlike the aforementioned “leaders,” President-elect Donald Trump understands the importance of holding people accountable when they fail to perform.
“When somebody does a bad job, I fire them,” said Trump during the presidential debate with Harris.
On the other hand, “They never fired one person. They didn't fire anybody having to do with Afghanistan,” Trump said, referring to the Biden-Harris administration. “Look at the economy. Look at the inflation. They didn't fire any of their economists. They have the same people.”
Perhaps Trump’s extensive experience in the private sector, where accountability still matters, is the reason for his different viewpoint.
Tragically, the abdication of accountability and personal responsibility that has become normalized among public servants is a recipe for disaster.
Trump must change this culture. He must do it swiftly. And, he must do it where it matters most, particularly among federal employees who have become way too comfortable passing the buck.
Holding people accountable and to the same high standards will certainly come as a shock to many, especially those who agree with the “everybody gets a trophy” mentality. But it is necessary to hold people accountable when they perform poorly, lest those bad habits become more embedded.
In some ways, Biden’s lack of accountability concerning the executive branch is just a reflection of a society that no longer values merit, excellence, and hard work to the extent it once did. I have experienced this to some degree during my working career, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic, which reshaped many societal norms—and not for the better.
Like Trump, President Harry Truman strongly believed in the notion of accountability. Such is why Truman had a sign that said, “The Buck Stops Here!” on the Resolute desk for all to see.
Although I highly doubt that Trump will place a similar sign on the Resolute desk, it is practically assured that he will follow the mantra. In a world where accountability and personal responsibility are waning, actions speak much louder than words. I, for one, look forward to the incoming administration if not for the single fact that accountability is about to return to the top levels of the federal government after a four-year hiatus.
Chris Talgo (ctalgo@heartland.org) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute.
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