White House communications director Kate Bedingfield on Thursday condemned the New York Times over its editorial call for President Biden to “soften” executive actions.
As the NYT board criticizes President Biden for taking swift executive action to undo the Trump Admin’s most blatant actions, I can’t help but recall that during the primaries they encouraged voters to to think about what a president could accomplish through Action, ” Bedingfield said in a tweet.
“So my question is what actions has the president taken to overturn Donald Trump’s executive orders if they would have liked him not to pursue?” the comms chief continued.
“Of course we also follow our agenda through legislation. That’s why we’re working so hard to make the US bailout work, for starters! ” she added.
In his editorial, the Gray Lady noted that the president has issued a slew of executive orders, including a commitment to rejoin the Paris climate accord, ending travel bans for countries with heightened terror, canceling the permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline, halting construction of the border wall with Mexico and mandating masks on federal property.
“These moves are being welcomed with cheering by Democrats and others eager to see the legacy of Donald Trump’s presidency be dismantled in a hurry,” the Times piece said.
Republicans, meanwhile, grumble over presidential reach and accuse Mr. Biden of betraying his promise to seek unity.
The Times continued, “But this is no way to make laws. A polarized, tightly divided Congress may leave Mr. Biden with little choice but to take executive action or see his entire agenda taken hostage.
However, these guidelines are a flawed substitute for legislation. They are intended to guide the government and operate within the discretion granted to the executive by existing law or the constitution, ”it continued.
“They are not creating a new law – although executive orders carry the force of the law – and they are not intended to be an end point to the will of Congress.”
It added, “We need to undo some of Mr. Trump’s excesses, but Mr. Biden’s legacy will depend on his ability to negotiate agreements with Congress.”