White House communications director Kate Bedingfield on Thursday criticized the New York Times for its editorial asking President Biden to “facilitate” the actions of executives.
“While the New York City Council criticizes President Biden for taking swift executive action to reverse Trump’s most egregious actions, I can’t help but remember that during the primaries he encouraged voters to consider what a president could do through of the Executive Action ” Bedingfield said in a tweet.
“So my question is what actions did the president take to reverse Donald Trump’s executive orders, would they have liked to see him not persecute?” continued the head of communications.
“Of course, we also follow our agenda through legislation. That’s why we’re working so hard to get the American rescue plan approved, to begin with! ” added.
In her editorial, the Gray Lady noted that the president issued a series of executive orders, including a commitment to rejoin the Paris climate agreement, ending the ban on travel from countries with more terrorist concerns, canceling permission for the Keystone XL pipeline, stopping construction of the border wall with Mexico and obligation to use masks on federal property.
“These movements are receiving acclaim from Democrats and others who want to see the legacy of Donald Trump’s presidency dismantled posthaste,” the Times piece says.
“Republicans, meanwhile, are complaining about the excess of the presidency and accusing Mr. Biden of betraying his commitment to seek unity.”
The Times continued: “But this is no way to make law. A polarized and narrowly divided congress may offer Mr. Biden little choice but to take executive action or see his entire agenda held hostage.
“These guidelines, however, are a flawed substitute for legislation. They are meant to provide guidance to the government and must work at the discretion that current legislation or the Constitution grants to the executive, ”he continued.
“They do not create a new law, even though executive orders have the force of law, and are not intended to serve as a purpose around the will of Congress.”
He added: “It is necessary to undo some of Mr. Trump’s excesses, but Mr. Biden’s legacy will depend on his ability to reach agreements with Congress.”