President Joe Biden has come under fire for his frequent vacations, with critics suggesting that he is spending a significant portion of his time away from work—nearly half, by some estimates.
Amid these criticisms, Biden responded that he was not on vacation and that he couldn’t go to his primary home in Delaware due to security upgrades by the U.S. Secret Service. Biden has two homes in Delaware where he spends most weekends, but he said he could only go to his Rehoboth Beach house at present.
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The controversy around Biden’s “vacations” arises amid national crises like the disastrous Maui fires and Hurricane Idalia. Critics argue that these instances call for the president’s undivided attention and that he should be working rather than vacationing. For instance, former U.S. Treasury Department assistant secretary Monica Crowley criticized Biden for his seeming lack of concern for the people suffering from these disasters.
In August, Biden vacationed in Lake Tahoe, staying in climate activist Tom Steyer’s mansion, which followed a stay at Delaware Beach earlier in the month. His press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, defended the president, emphasizing the government’s efforts to aid those affected by the Maui fires. However, after increasing criticism, Biden visited Maui on August 22nd.
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Biden’s response to Hurricane Idalia in Florida was quicker, with the president visiting the state on September 2nd, just days after the hurricane made landfall. During his visit, Biden emphasized the importance of hope and community support during such crises.
However, critics also point out that Biden has not yet visited East Palestine, Ohio, following a train derailment incident. Data cited by the New York Post suggests that as of August 27th, Biden has spent nearly 40% of his presidency on personal overnight trips away from the White House.
Critics argue that his vacation times surpass those of previous presidents, including George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, and Donald Trump. There have been calls for more transparency, with demands for the release of visitor logs for the president’s other residences.
