What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
Weekend Recap: September 14-15, 2024
The White House held its first-ever Summit on Extreme Heat, highlighting the growing threat of extreme heat on lives, infrastructure, and the environment. The Summit, led by the Biden-Harris Administration, gathered over 100 participants, including federal agencies, healthcare professionals, emergency responders, and community leaders, to discuss ways to manage and adapt to extreme heat.
Key announcements included the introduction of the Extreme Heat Call to Action, encouraging governments, private sectors, and non-profits to commit to heat mitigation strategies ahead of the 2025 heat season. Proposed actions include improving tree canopy, enhancing cooling infrastructure, and establishing cooling centers.
The White House also released a Draft Community Heat Action Checklist, offering guidance for local governments to prepare for extreme heat. This aligns with ongoing federal investments in climate resilience, including urban forestry, green building retrofits, and worker protection. Additionally, USAID introduced a toolkit for global heat preparedness and announced $18 million in humanitarian aid to address climate impacts.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with 20 presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to discuss increasing student pathways into national security fields and addressing security challenges faced by HBCUs—the meeting built on a previous discussion held in February 2023. Sullivan highlighted the progress in expanding paid internships and research opportunities for HBCU students and increasing federal agency partnerships.
HBCU leaders expressed their desire for expanded collaborations with federal agencies to enhance research and security programs. They also discussed security challenges, including threats from domestic violent extremism, and appreciated existing support from law enforcement. The meeting included discussions on available federal resources to bolster HBCU resilience against physical and cyber threats, including various guides, toolkits, and funding opportunities.
The Biden-Harris Administration has continued support for HBCUs, investing over $16 billion, including nearly $4 billion in emergency funding through the American Rescue Plan.
At the 2024 Phoenix Awards Dinner hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus, President Biden and Vice President Harris delivered remarks highlighting their administration's achievements and reaffirming their commitment to key issues affecting the nation, particularly the Black community. President Biden expressed gratitude for the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and their unwavering support, emphasizing that their backing has been crucial throughout his presidency. He highlighted the administration’s accomplishments, including historic economic recovery, record-low Black unemployment, increased funding for Black-owned businesses, and significant investments in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Biden also pointed to progress in police reform, environmental justice, and healthcare, noting efforts to remove lead pipes, expand broadband access, and lower prescription drug prices. He condemned extremist actions that threaten democracy, voting rights, and inclusion, urging continued vigilance against hate and disinformation.
Vice President Harris praised President Biden’s transformative leadership and spoke passionately about their shared vision of a future where justice, opportunity, and freedom are accessible to all Americans. She criticized former President Donald Trump and his allies for undermining progress, particularly in healthcare, voting rights, and economic equity. Harris reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to protecting healthcare access, reproductive rights, and the right to vote, pledging to sign legislation like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act if passed. She called on the CBC to continue its essential role as the conscience of the nation, emphasizing that the fight for equity and justice requires persistent effort. Both leaders highlighted the importance of collective action and the need to build on the progress of the last four years to create a more inclusive and just America, urging everyone to keep up the hard work in the battle for the soul of the nation.
In an interview on NBC's Meet The Press, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed key issues surrounding immigration, policy challenges, and the contrasting strategies of the Biden-Harris administration versus their Republican opponents. Kristen Welker opened the discussion by highlighting the strain on local resources in Springfield, Ohio, due to an influx of Haitian migrants, which Senator JD Vance blamed on the Biden administration's immigration policies, specifically the Temporary Protective Status (TPS) program. Buttigieg acknowledged that Springfield, like many rapidly growing communities, faces economic and population growth challenges, including those stemming from immigration. He stressed that local officials are striving to manage these changes effectively. However, he condemned the inflammatory rhetoric used by some Republican figures, including unfounded rumors and extreme narratives, such as claims of migrants eating pets, which he argued are tactics designed to inflame fear, distract from substantive policy debates, and avoid addressing their records and future plans.
Buttigieg criticized Donald Trump and JD Vance for focusing on divisive and sensational issues instead of presenting clear policy solutions. He accused them of using scare tactics to divert public attention from their lack of solid plans, particularly on healthcare, and from their controversial records, such as the manufacturing recession under Trump and restrictive abortion policies. According to Buttigieg, the Trump-Vance strategy relies on provoking chaos and outrage to avoid accountability and sidestep serious policy discussions.
When asked about President Biden’s stricter immigration measures, which have disappointed some Democrats, Buttigieg explained that these actions were responses to specific challenges, such as the post-COVID surge in migration and Congress's failure to act. He placed part of the blame on Trump for sabotaging a bipartisan immigration deal, which worsened current border issues. Although Biden's policies may be more conservative than some Democrats prefer, Buttigieg emphasized that the administration remains focused on practical solutions rather than engaging in politically charged distractions. He expressed concern that returning to a Trump presidency would mean more chaotic governance dominated by divisive rhetoric.
Welker then questioned Buttigieg about Vice President Kamala Harris’s shifts in policy positions, including her earlier support for banning fracking, advocating civil penalties instead of criminal ones for illegal border crossings, and backing Medicare for All—stances she has since adjusted. Buttigieg defended Harris, arguing that policy positions evolve with changing circumstances and the realities of governance. He pointed out that Harris’s adjustments reflect a pragmatic response to new challenges and the complexities of governing. This is particularly evident in climate policy, where the administration has focused on the Inflation Reduction Act to foster green jobs without implementing a fracking ban.
Regarding how a potential Harris administration would differ from Biden’s, Buttigieg highlighted Harris’s focus on new ideas and future-oriented policies. He noted that Harris’s campaign website provides detailed policy proposals, including tax policy and housing specifics. Buttigieg underscored her pragmatism and the importance of adaptability in policymaking, suggesting that her approach would be shaped by the country's evolving needs while remaining true to core Democratic values.
The discussion concluded with Buttigieg contrasting the economic visions of Harris and Trump. He criticized Trump’s economic policies, particularly tax cuts for the wealthy and tariffs that raise costs for American families. Buttigieg emphasized that Harris’s economic stance prioritizes middle-class workers and advocates making the wealthy pay their fair share, contrasting sharply with Trump’s policies. Despite Trump’s better polling on economic issues, Buttigieg expressed confidence that Harris’s focus on supporting workers and her broader economic vision would resonate with voters as the campaign moves forward. Overall, Buttigieg framed the Biden-Harris administration as committed to practical governance and policy evolution, contrasting it with what he described as the chaotic and distraction-driven tactics of Trump and his allies.
President Biden issued a statement following an incident being investigated as a possible assassination attempt on former President Trump. Biden explained that his team had briefed him about the situation and confirmed that a suspect was in custody. He commended the Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance and swift actions to protect Trump and those around him. The President expressed his relief that Trump was unharmed and emphasized that an active investigation is underway as authorities work to gather more details about the incident. Biden reiterated his strong stance against political violence, stating that there is no place for any form of violence in the country. He also directed his team to ensure the Secret Service has every necessary resource, capability, and protective measure to safeguard the former President.
Vice President Harris also addressed the situation through her official social media channels, stating that she had been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida. She expressed her relief that Trump was safe and unharmed. Harris echoed the President’s sentiments, underscoring that violence has no place in America. Both leaders’ statements reflect a united stance against violence and a commitment to ensuring the safety and security of former Presidents, emphasizing the importance of law enforcement’s role in maintaining public safety.