Biden: Talking of unity but sowing divisiveness

Words of unity and healing
In President Joseph R. Biden’s inaugural speech on January 20, he wowed that his whole soul was in this:

Bringing America together.
Uniting our people.
And uniting our nation.
I ask every American to join me in this cause.

He pleaded for unity, where we can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbours, where we treat each other with dignity and respect, where we join forces stop the shouting and lower the temperature.

We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal …
Disagreement must not lead to disunion.
And I pledge this to you: I will be a President for all Americans.
I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.

Soothing words and promises for uniting and healing a USA plagued by divisiveness, followed by his promise:

We will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.

Actions speaking louder than words
President Biden’s words were followed by action. Immediately after the inauguration Biden began signing a flurry of executive orders, memoranda and proclamations.
In his first 12 days in office President Biden ordered 39 presidential actions, far more than Trump or any other US president and ranging far and wide in their focus.
Prominent were urgent measures related to the need for action in relation to the pandemic, fulfilling his promise to set aside politics and finally “face this pandemic as one nation.”
At least 8 of the executive orders and two presidential memos were related to efforts to fight and contain the pandemic or alleviate its consequences.

Among these were:

Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government to Provide a Unified and Effective Response To Combat COVID-19 and To Provide United States Leadership on Global Health and Security

Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing

Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19

Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery

Economic Relief Related to the Order 22, 2021 COVID-19 Pandemic

The President also emphasised unity and healing with his proclamation of “A National Day of Unity” on January 20, 2021. In which he called upon “the people of our Nation to join together and write the next story of our democracy — an American story of decency and dignity, of love and of healing, and of greatness and of goodness.”

While the orders related to the fight against the pandemic and a national day of unity certainly seem to follow up on the President’s promise of being a President for all Americans, a whole slew of executive orders may be seen as much more divisive.
This concern orders related to climate change, health, immigration, racial injustice and transgender rights.  Many of these were aimed at the direct reversal of executive orders signed by President Trump. The list includes executive orders, memo and proclamations related to Biden’s day one actions:

Re-Engage with the World Health Organization to Make Americans and the World Safer

Rejoin the Paris Agreement on Climate Change

Roll Back President Trump’s Environmental Actions in Order to Protect Public Health and the Environment and Restore Science

Reverse President Trump’s Executive Order Excluding Undocumented
Immigrants from the Reapportionment Count

Reverse the Muslim Ban

Repeal of Trump Interior Enforcement Executive Order

Stop Border Wall Construction

Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians Presidential Memorandum

Overturn Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in U.S. military

Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation

While the reversal of Trump’s decision to pull the US out of the WHO and the Paris Agreement on Climate change may perhaps not been seen as too divisive by those who voted for Trump, other executive actions from the list demonstrate that unity and healing cannot have been the overriding motive. Here just a few examples:

Rolling back Trump’s environmental actions includes revoking the 2019 permit to build large sections of the Keystone XL Pipeline running from Canada all the way to refineries on the Gulf Coast. This at least runs counter to attempts to secure US independence on oil and create employment in the areas concerned.
 
The strange sounding order related to the exclusion of undocumented immigrants from the reapportionment count, concerns Trump’s attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from the population totals used to determine how many House seats each state will have.
One would presume that Trump’s action would serve the Republicans, while Biden’s would serve the Democrats. Meaning that it is difficult to see Biden’s action as an attempt to create unity and healing.

In its third version Trumps’ so-called “Muslim ban” blocked travel to the United States from six predominantly Muslim countries, but it also included North Koreans and certain Venezuelan government officials.
In his executive order Biden argues that “these Executive Orders and Proclamations have undermined our national security. They have jeopardized our global network of alliances and partnerships and are a moral blight that has dulled the power of our example the world over. And they have separated loved ones, inflicting pain that will ripple for years to come. They are just plain wrong.”
Again, this may be the view of the Democrats, but does it contribute to unity and healing or will it be seen as serving only the interest of only one party?

Trump’s Interior Enforcement Executive Order. Under this executive order, all those in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to enforcement proceedings, up to and including removal from the United States, prioritising categories of aliens who have committed crimes.
This order was seen by critics as an order defining enforcement priorities so broadly as to place all unauthorized individuals at risk of deportation, including families, long-time residents, and “Dreamers” (those who were brought to this country as children).
With Biden’s “Executive Order on the Revision of Civil Immigration Enforcement Policies and Priorities” Trump’s order was revoked.
An action contributing to unity and healing? Hardly for those seeing it as representing a too lax attitude towards aliens violating the immigration laws. Again, this can be seen as serving the interest of one party, and directed against the interest of a large part of the population..

Then there is the ever-popular bone of contention, Trump’s border wall. In Biden’s proclamation on terminating border wall construction he argues: “I have determined that the declaration of a national emergency at our southern border … was unwarranted. It shall be the policy of my Administration that no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall. I am also directing a careful review of all resources appropriated or redirected to construct a southern border wall.”
An action greeted with glee by Democrats, but what about the other party, and the 74 million US citizens, who voted for Trump? Again, this action may be seen as contradicting the many words of unity, mutual respect and the lowering of the temperature of disagreement in a divided US.

With a Memo reinstating Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians President Biden also reversed one of Trump’s actions of less national importance. The US had provided a safe haven for Liberians forced to flee their country since 1991. Trump had decided that conditions in Liberia did no longer warrant an extension of the DED (Deferred Enforced Departure).
With a memorandum Biden determined “that it is in the foreign policy interests of the United States to defer through June 30, 2022, the removal of any Liberian national, or person without nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia.”
Perhaps not an action to evoke great emotions in either party, but perhaps demonstrating the wish to reverse even less important decisions by Trump.

Bidens reversal of Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in U.S. military may on the other hand be seen as much more divisive. In the executive order enabling all qualified Americans to serve their country in uniform, Biden states: “It is my conviction as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces that gender identity should not be a bar to military service. Moreover, there is substantial evidence that allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military does not have any meaningful negative impact on the Armed Forces.”

It is also difficult to see why President Biden with undue haste found it necessary to sign an executive order on “Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation.”
In the order he argues that “Every person should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear, no matter who they are or whom they love. Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room, or school sports. Adults should be able to earn a living and pursue a vocation knowing that they will not be fired, demoted, or mistreated because of whom they go home to or because how they dress does not conform to sex-based stereotypes.”
While this certainly demonstrates that Biden stands with the LGBTQ+ community, the whole issue is extremely divisive.
The hashtag “Biden erased women” claims that Biden is rolling back legal protection for women. Allowing biological males in women’s locker rooms and women’s sports. “In fact, the executive order itself specifically called out school restrooms, locker rooms, and sports competitions. So we know that these things are coming. It’s a really scary prospect for the future of women’s sport.” (WJR)
That the order is divisive is also seen in the fact that the state of Montana at the same time is discussing a bill that would bar transgender student athletes from competing on the teams comporting with their gender identity. “HB 112, titled the Save Women's Sports Act, is aimed especially at preventing trans girls and women from competing with cisgender females. Its proponents claim trans females have an inherent advantage over their cis counterparts.” (Advocate)

Vengeful impeachment does not promote unity
One wonders if the second Trump impeachment attempt by the Democrats, apparently supported by Biden, isn’t quite stupid and contrary to Biden’s words of healing, treating each other with dignity and respect, and lowering the temperature.
Perhaps it is more an act showing the deep hostility and contempt held towards Trump by the two main actors in this ploy, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, who may have seen a new chance of impeaching Trump, even as he is leaving as President. Disregarding that this may be contrary to Biden’s words healing and even take time from more pressing political actions. Apparently, Biden is in agreement with Pelosi and Schumer, although he sounds vaguely ambiguous.
On January 26 he told CNN “I think it has to happen.” Even though he could see that it may delay his legislative agenda, he argued that it would be “a worse effect it didn’t happen.”
In a later interview Biden uttered some doubt “I don't know what is likely to happen... it's probably not likely that you get 17 Republicans to change their view and convict on impeachment” (cnet). Still, he believed that the trial had to take place. Otherwise, it would come off as farcical what this was all about.” Perhaps he is right. It is farcical, and certainly does not seem to further his promise of “Bringing America together” and “Uniting our people.”
 
Biden’s actions in the light of a deeply divided nation
An electoral map showing the results of the presidential election, clearly marks the geographical divide between the Republican and the Democrats,

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-elections/president-results

While this geographical divide isn’t very surprising, something else may indicate the deepening of the chasm between blue and red, or between the “deplorables” and the “righteous”
Election results certainly indicate that the US electorate is becoming more geographical polarised.
Financial Times reports that in the 1992 presidential election two-thirds of votes were cast in counties that were fairly even split between red and blue.
In the 2020 presidential election the voting pattern was much more polarised as “evenly split counties accounted for only around 40 per cent of votes, while one vote in 13 was cast in a deeply red or blue county where supporters of the winning party outnumber their opponents four-to-one or more.” (FT).

Surveys and polls also present a picture of the deep divide between Republican and Democrat voters.
A Gallup poll looking at the support for transgender people serving in the military found that while 71% of all the respondents were in favour, there was a marked division between Republicans and Democrats. Only 43% of Republicans were in favour, while 53% were against. Among Democrats 88% were in favour, and only 11% against.
 
It has to be said that in recent years attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community, or different segments of it, have shifted quite significantly towards a more positive attitude, even among Republicans, but major differences still exist.
This also goes for the bathroom question. Whether people should only be allowed to use a bathroom according to their birth gender or whether they should be allowed to choose according to their self-chosen gender identity. According to The Gallup Poll “Many public places have responded to the transgender restroom policy debate by providing unisex restrooms that can be used by anyone. But according to the new poll, Americans prefer separate bathrooms for men and women (68%) in large public places as opposed to unisex ones (30%).”
Again, opinions are divided among Republicans and Democrats.
Among Republicans 78% were in favour of only allowing bathroom use according to birth gender, only 18 % were in favour of allowing use according to a self-chosen gender identity.
Among Democrats 66% were in favour of being able to choose according to a self-chosen gender identity. Only 27% were in favour of the birth gender criteria. (gallup.com).

Thus, it seems evident that Biden’s executive order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation doesn’t exactly promote unity and healing in a divided nation.

A Hoover Poll published on February 1, 2021 provide a look into a deeply divided US in relation to three major topics: Governmental power and liberty, social and environmental justice, and populism.
Here just a selection of results, that may help us understand how some of Biden’s actions may actually contribute to more disunity and divisiveness, instead of following up on his promises of unity and healing

Take Biden’s push for a federal minimum wage of $15 as part of his $1.9 trillion (US definition, elsewhere billion) stimulus package.
The poll shows that 52% of republicans are opposed to a $15 minimum wage, while only 9% of Democrats are against it. Clearly demonstrating that Bidens’ push isn’t exactly something that contributes to unity in the US
In relation to the question of proposals for carbon tax to combat climate change, the division is just as great. 71% of Republicans respondents oppose such a tax, while only 31% of the Democrats do.

In relation to questions related to personal freedom we find similar divisions. Asked whether they agree that “political correctness is a big problem,” 73% of the Republican respondents agree, while only 34% of the Democrats do.
In the relation to fight against the pandemic, respondents are asked whether they believe that “the cure is worse than the disease when it comes to stay in place orders.” 55% of the Republicans agree, compared to only 11% of the Democrats.
Similar differences are found in relation to a ban on assault weapons and the question of whether abortion should in general be legal.

In relation to social and environmental justice, the poll shows that “Democrats favor affirmative action for college admission, removing statues of Confederate generals, a guaranteed annual income, allowing illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S. and apply for citizenship, and … that the U.S. economic system favors the rich.”

Questioned whether illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay in the US and apply for citizenship, only 28% of Republicans agree, but 77% of the Democrats.

Affirmative action programs for underrepresented minorities applying to college, are supported by only 16% of the Republicans, but 57% of the Democrats.

Interestingly Republicans and Democrats are in agreement when asked whether they believe “that quite a few government officials are crooked.” 72% from both parties agree. They are also in agreement, when asked whether they that politicians lie most of the time or all the time about what they will do when elected.

The result of the Hoover poll show “that there are major differences between the political parties that will make it difficult for the newly elected president to bring about unity.” (hoover.org).

Talking of unity but sowing divisiveness
While Biden may offer soothing words of unity and healing his actions speak loader than words. It demonstrates that in some of his overly hasty actions he is sowing disunity. Seemingly pandering to the more Wokish segment in the Democratic party and ignoring the views of a large part of the population.
On may also ask why Biden is in such a hurry to issue executive orders on topics that at the very least does not seem to agree with his soothing words of unity and healing. Why the haste and why does it have to be executive orders instead of legislation.
The hasty actions may be greeted with cheers by the Democrats, but “Republicans, meanwhile, are grumbling about presidential overreach and accusing Mr. Biden of betraying his pledge to seek unity.”

The president of the conservative Heritage Foundation: “This isn’t the unity he promised … He’s signaled that he’ll take unilateral steps that usurp Congress’ power and leave no room for debate or dissent.”
Even New York Times seems to think that Biden is acting with undue haste. “Ease up on executive actions, Joe” an editorial recommends.
According to the editorial, this is no way to make law: “A polarized, narrowly divided Congress may offer Mr. Biden little choice but to employ executive actions or see his entire agenda held hostage. These directives, however, are a flawed substitute for legislation. They are intended to provide guidance to the government and need to work within the discretion granted the executive by existing law or the Constitution…. By design, such actions are more limited in what they can achieve than legislation, and presidents who overreach invite intervention by the courts.” (NYT).
In a Town Hall meeting in October 2020 Biden himself criticised the use of executive orders, saying: “Some of my Republican friends and some of my Democratic friends even, occasionally say, 'Well, if you can't get the votes, by executive order you're going to do something.' Things you can't do by executive order unless you're a dictator. We're a democracy. We need consensus." (CNN). But again, actions speak louder than words.

PS: Foreign policy note
On February 4 Biden held a speech on foreign policy, announcing that “America is back, America is back. Diplomacy is back at the center of our foreign policy. As I said, in my inaugural address, we will repair our alliances, engage with the world once again, not to meet yesterday’s challenges, but today’s, and tomorrow’s.”
Much is later made of his promise step up diplomatic efforts “to end the war in Yemen, a war which has created humanitarian and strategic catastrophe. … This war has to end and to underscore our commitment, we’re ending all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen, including relevant arm sales.”
Eagerly greeted by enthusiastic news reporters all over the Western World, it would perhaps again be rather stupid to see his words as being equal to actions. In reality it seems evident that the actions announced may mean very little, in relation both to the seven years old Yemen war or weapon sales to Saudi Arabia, as he also talks of the Saudi’s right to defend themselves, presumably still allowing weapons export to the country.
Still, it is too early to judge how Biden’s “America is back” foreign policy promises on Yemen and his tough sounding words on how to handle Russia and China will play out in actions. This will have to be seen at a later date.