Is Biden’s Goal for His Lame-Duck Presidency to Leave a Mess for Trump to Clean Up?

As Biden stumbles to the end of his lame-duck presidency—escalating conflicts, stacking courts, and reckless spending—beg the question: Is he leaving a mess for Trump?

The election is over. Trump has won. Kamala Harris is licking her wounds somewhere in Hawaii, likely debating whether her next career move should involve "inspiring" another episode of Veep. Meanwhile, Biden, with the grace of a man who trips over Air Force One stairs regularly, has officially entered his lame-duck presidency.

For those unfamiliar, a lame-duck period is when a president loses relevance and accountability because the new guy is moving into the White House. In simpler terms: they’re still in charge, but no one really cares anymore. With no reelection to worry about, he appears to be embracing the free-for-all burn-it-all-down strategy—a presidential purge, if you will.

How can I put this? Biden is leaving behind a flaming trail of goose eggs. The economy? Cracking. Foreign policy? Scrambled. Domestic issues? Fried. It’s like that fire sale everyone didn’t vote for but got anyway. Among these disasters, perhaps the most unsettling is Biden’s apparent eagerness to escalate tensions in Ukraine—because if there’s one thing we all need right now, it’s the looming possibility of World War III.

Ukraine Escalation: Walking Toward the Brink

When it comes to Ukraine, Biden is going full throttle. Following reports that North Korea had deployed troops—estimated at 11,000 to 100,000—to bolster Russian forces in Ukraine, the administration authorized the use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles for deep strikes against Russia. Despite their limited combat history, many of these North Korean troops reportedly belong to elite units, raising alarms about a potential escalation in military capabilities. Russia didn’t take the missile authorization lightly and quickly responded by updating its nuclear doctrine, now considering attacks from U.S.-supplied weapons to be direct U.S. aggression. Now, I am not an expert in geopolitics or war strategy, but to me, this translates to Biden just walking us closer to the edge of nuclear conflict, and the guy still hasn’t called a press conference to explain it.

Instead, on the very day this missile authorization was announced, Biden was in the Amazon jungle in an effort to solidify his climate legacy. When reporters dared ask him about Ukraine? Crickets. But hey, at least he showed up for the Celtics' visit to the White House when he got back. Priorities, right? Because nothing screams “global stability” like a photo op with basketball players while the world wonders if we’re on the brink of WWIII.

Theories abound as to why Biden is so determined to double down on Ukraine. One is that he’s trying to shore up as much support for Zelensky as possible before Trump takes office. After all, Trump has vowed to bring both sides to the table to negotiate an end to the war—a strategy that, in Biden’s eyes, is apparently worse than escalating it further. Another theory? The military-industrial complex knows its golden goose is about to fly the coop. By digging us in deeper, they ensure job security, even under an administration intent on slashing their budget.

And then there’s the money. Oh, the money.

The Money Trail: Ukraine’s Billions and America’s Burden

Biden just forgave $4.7 billion in loans to Ukraine, a move that, unsurprisingly, didn’t sit well with Americans struggling to pay for eggs, gas, and basic rent. Senator Rand Paul led the charge to block this gift, arguing that U.S. taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for a foreign war when domestic crises remain ignored. Naturally, his resolution was defeated because the “Ukraine First, America Last” caucus (Rand’s words, not mine) has its priorities firmly aligned—with Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Biden’s administration has approved yet another $275 million weapons package for Ukraine, complete with HIMARS, drones, and Javelin missiles. All of this is being expedited directly from U.S. stockpiles, ensuring that while our economy limps along, we’re at least well-prepared to watch someone else’s war escalate.

This isn’t just a joke; it’s reckless and irresponsible. Biden’s decisions are creating an unshakable impression that the administration is less interested in peace and more invested in pouring fuel on the fire. And if you think this is bad, wait until you see how he’s reshaping the judiciary.

Judicial Appointments: Legacy or Ideological Agenda?

When it comes to leaving a lasting legacy, nothing screams "impact" louder than judicial appointments. Biden knows this, and like a kid in a candy store, he’s racing to cram the federal judiciary with as many progressive judges as possible before his presidency officially flames out. While the media loves to remind us that Biden made history by appointing Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court (the first Black woman justice), the real action isn’t in the marble halls of SCOTUS—it’s in the district and appellate courts, where the decisions that actually affect Americans are made every day.

Let’s break it down: Biden’s administration has confirmed 45 judges to appellate courts and 172 to district courts. Not bad for a guy whose approval ratings hover somewhere between "meh" and "please retire." But with 37 district court vacancies, two appellate court openings, and 15 more judges announcing their retirement, Biden has every intention of packing those seats with lifetime appointees who prioritize diversity and "lived experience" over, say, textualism or respect for the Constitution.

And make no mistake—Biden’s judicial strategy is as much about optics as it is about outcomes. Nearly two-thirds of his appointees are women, with a similar proportion being racial or ethnic minorities. From the beginning, this administration has often focused on "representation," identity politics and progressive activism at the expense of merit. Many of these judges, lauded for their demographic boxes, have professional backgrounds steeped in activism—public defenders and civil rights lawyers with records that scream "progressive agenda," not impartial adjudication.

Take, for instance, the recent confirmation of Embry Kidd to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Kidd, a U.S. Magistrate Judge from Florida, was confirmed by a 49-45 vote in the Senate. His record includes decisions to release child sex offenders before trial and acknowledgments to him in a law review article criticizing capital child rape laws as racist. Despite these red flags, his confirmation went through, thanks in part to the absence of several Republican senators during the vote. Senators J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, Bill Hagerty, Mike Braun, and Steve Daines were notably absent.

Senator J.D. Vance missed the vote while participating in meetings with President-elect Trump to interview candidates for key administration roles, including FBI Director. Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, was also absent, focusing on transition responsibilities related to his new role. Bill Hagerty chose to attend a SpaceX launch with Trump, prioritizing the event over the vote. Mike Braun provided no specific explanation for his absence, while Steve Daines cited travel issues, including delays caused by an icy runway and a medical emergency.

The absences didn’t go unnoticed. Governor Ron DeSantis blasted the absent senators on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "This leftist judge would have been voted down and the seat filled by Donald Trump next year had Republicans showed up. Now, the leftist judge will have a lifetime appointment, and the people of FL, AL, and GA will suffer the consequences." Mike Davis, founder of the Article III Project, piled on, saying, "Your only job as a Senate Republican is to show up and vote. You're not required to do anything else. Show up and stop Biden’s radical lifetime-appointed judges." Even Donald Trump chimed in, slamming the GOP for their lack of discipline: "Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line—No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day!"

Republicans need to wake up and start taking a page out of Biden’s own playbook. Back in 1992, when Biden was chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he refused to hold hearings for dozens of George H.W. Bush’s nominees. Why? He was gambling that Bill Clinton would win the election, and if that happened, Clinton would fill those seats instead. Biden’s gamble paid off, but it was a risky strategy—the election was far from guaranteed.

However, Republicans today don’t need to gamble; they have a clear and undeniable mandate. The election is over, and the voters have spoken. Republicans not only secured the presidency but also won the popular vote, regained control of the House, and solidified their majority in the Senate. This sweeping victory represents a clear rejection of Biden’s policies and a call for Trump’s policies, including judicial integrity. Unlike Biden’s 1992 Hail Mary, the GOP now has the full backing of the electorate to block Biden’s last-minute judicial appointments and prevent the courts from being further stacked with progressive ideologues.

It’s not just a strategic opportunity; it’s a duty. With this mandate in hand, Republicans have every justification and duty to halt Biden’s lame-duck appointments and ensure that the judiciary reflects the will of the people who just handed them control.

If you thought stacking the courts was bold, wait until you see what Biden’s doing with your money.

Policy and Money: Biden’s Last-Minute Spending Frenzy

In his final days in office, Biden isn’t just trying to leave a legacy—he’s attempting to bolt it to the ground and surround it with enough red tape to make sure Trump can’t touch it. From climate deals to tech funding, student loan forgiveness to clean energy loans, the Biden administration has gone into overdrive to spend, regulate, and commit as much as possible before handing over the keys to a Republican administration. And while Biden touts these efforts as groundbreaking, they often feel more like reckless overreach.

Take climate policy. Biden’s Department of Energy is scrambling to finalize $25 billion in clean energy loans for projects like electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, lithium mining, and renewable energy infrastructure. But here’s the problem: the market simply doesn’t support these initiatives. Renewable energy like solar, wind, and electric remains unreliable, expensive, and—ironically—dependent on fossil fuels for their production. Take EV batteries, for instance. Creating them requires extensive mining of rare earth materials, which causes significant environmental damage. Biden’s climate agenda may talk a big game about sustainability, but at its core, it still relies on practices that are anything but green.

And if history is any indication, this rushed push for green energy is unlikely to end well. Let’s revisit Solyndra, the infamous poster child for government-funded failures in renewable energy. During the Obama-Biden administration, Solyndra—a solar panel manufacturer—was touted as the future of green energy and awarded a staggering $535 million federal loan guarantee. The company promised innovation and job creation, but within two years, it filed for bankruptcy. Solyndra’s downfall revealed not only mismanagement but also questionable decision-making at the highest levels of government, with reports surfacing that the company’s shaky finances were ignored in favor of political optics. The result? Over half a billion dollars in taxpayer money down the drain, with no benefit to the American people.

Fast-forward to today, and the Biden administration seems intent on repeating history. Remember Biden’s grand promise of 500,000 EV charging stations by 2030? Well, as of now, the administration’s $7.5 billion allocation for EV infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has resulted in a whopping 7-8 operational charging stations. Seven. At this pace, Biden’s promise will join the long list of government pipe dreams, where big ideas meet small results.

This isn’t the government’s role. The market—not bureaucrats in Washington—should decide what works based on demand and innovation. Forcing renewable energy through government spending doesn’t make it viable; it makes it a boondoggle. The truth is, renewable energy isn’t dependable enough to replace fossil fuels yet, and pretending otherwise while burning billions in taxpayer dollars is a disservice to the very people Biden claims to be helping.

Meanwhile, Biden continues to champion his climate agenda on the global stage. During his trip to the Amazon rainforest—remember this was at the same time Ukraine was firing U.S. missiles into Russia—he called on G20 leaders to step up climate funding for developing nations. Despite this, he announced a $325 million pledge to the World Bank and a $4 billion commitment to the International Development Association for climate initiatives abroad. All while Americans at home face skyrocketing costs of living and ongoing domestic crises.

Biden’s climate push isn’t about pragmatism or results — but virtue-signaling and solidifying his legacy. Instead of addressing the real barriers to renewable energy, he’s throwing taxpayer dollars at initiatives the market clearly isn’t ready to support. And when those investments inevitably fail, as Solyndra did, the only legacy left behind will be wasted money, broken promises, and a government that overstepped its bounds yet again.

Conclusion: Cleaning Up the Flaming Goose Eggs

As the curtain falls on Biden’s presidency, the mess left behind is as predictable as it is damaging. Whether it’s escalating a foreign conflict with no clear strategy, stacking the judiciary with ideological loyalists, or funneling billions into doomed climate initiatives, this lame-duck administration seems more focused on cementing its agenda than addressing the needs of the American people.

The Biden presidency promised progress, but it delivered platitudes, piling bad policies on shaky foundations and calling it a legacy. From Ukraine to judicial appointments to renewable energy schemes, every move reeks of desperation to leave a mark—even if it’s one the next administration will spend years trying to clean up.

As Trump takes the reins, the question becomes: how many of Biden’s flaming goose eggs can be extinguished before they crack the foundation of the country? For now, all we can do is watch as this lame-duck administration stumbles through one final sprint toward irrelevance, hoping they don’t leave the nation with more scrambled eggs than it can handle.