Signs That Biden Shifting Onto War Footing?

 


Last week I characterized President Biden's threat to Nuke the Filibuster in the showdown with McConnell over raising the debt ceiling as his "JFK" moment, a potential indication of a shift on his part toward confrontation with the Insurrection. (Link here)

https://therosenreport.blogspot.com/2021/10/president-bidens-jfk-moment-harbinger.html

Today's lead story on CNN Politics of the President's statement calling for DOJ prosecution of January 6 witnesses who refuse cooperation with the House Select Committee is in my view indicative of this continued shift, most definitely a "shot across the bow". The question is, directed at who? 

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/15/politics/biden-doj-prosecute-january-6-subpoenas/index.html

Up until today the President and his spokespersons such as Press Secretary Jen Psaki have insisted on maintaining the independence of the DOJ and AG Garland in proceeding as they were without the White House exerting political pressure in regard to January 6th and the crimes of Trump and his administration in general.  This is the first break with his previously held position, and a clear response to increasing pressure from Democratic constituencies which are sounding the alarm about the ominous threat of a fascist authoritarian takeover of the US by the Trump GOP, as well as the destruction of the "Build Back Better" economic recovery plan.  

The obstructionism in Congress by the GOP to destroy the President's elected mandate is the flip side of Donald Trump's blatant attempt to obstruct justice in giving orders to his former subordinates to refuse cooperation with the House investigation. President Biden, in saying that his Attorney General should prosecute those individuals, has gone "off script" in making this assertion, a notable break with his own previous statements. It is a potential indication of growing resistance on his part to his inner circle of Centrist advisors who have been telling him "hands off Trump", in the name of "unity and bipartisanship", and winning over GOP moderates for 2022-2024. (As if there is such a thing as GOP "moderates" at this point. Where are those 10 GOP Senators on board for voting rights, Joe Manchin?) 

This is not completely definitive of a shift in policy yet, in my view. What it does indicate is an increase in the President's combativeness against the Trump Insurrection, and his growing frustration and anger at the continuing sabotage by Manchin and Sinema of the administration's policy agenda. 

Therefore, looking at this statement by the President in the context of the overall dynamic, as opposed to simply his "weighing in on this one thing", I see it as a warning shot not so much to Trump and his allies, who will continue their rabid foaming at the mouth approach to destroying democracy, rather as part of a growing inclination to confront those centrists in his White House and the Congress who have been pushing appeasement with the fascist GOP. 

The most important things I look for are indications of change in dynamics, and a shift in character. Most people who are politically aware are oriented toward immediate results, because we have desperate circumstances on many fronts. Voting Rights, Economic development, the Pandemic, GOP use of "culture wars" in a naked grab for power, propaganda and turning back the clock, these issues are each daunting and urgent, and weigh heavily. 

If there is a shift in the President's mindset (as is evident to me over the past two weeks) this is what will determine the outcome of these most important battles. Biden has told the otherwise reticent and cautious Attorney General Garland to go after the leadership of the Insurrection, to prosecute the Trump inner circle, and possibly Trump himself. In public.  The days of "hands off" are over.  If you don't see the importance or potential of this development, then it means you have been beaten down and demoralized. 

Get with it. What we've been waiting for is happening. Time is short.

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