Biden’s Last Weeks in Office

Local Leaders say what their final moves would be if they were president

On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris presided over a joint session of Congress and certified President-elect Donald Trump as the incoming President of the United States. Now, as the Biden administration comes to an end, we asked local politicians on both sides of the aisle what they would do if it were their last weeks in office.

Carl O. Sherman, Former Texas State Representative, District 109, said “If I were Biden I think one of the things I would do first would be to throw a reception party for President-Elect Donald Trump. I think it could be a great tradition to start and don’t wait until the President-Elect takes over but do the reception where all of America and the world can see that you are throwing this reception for the incoming President and invite individuals statewide, nationally and internationally.” Sherman also said early on he would consider education and, “No child should have to pay for their education just as we did early on to ensure children from first to twelfth grade receive an education from our public school system. And we recently added more pre-K and I think we should do the same for a bachelor’s degree since in most industrialized nations this is not an issue, I should make sure the baseline of education is established higher.” Sherman said regarding the criminal justice system, it should be established that always similar cases need to be treated the same as that would bring a lot more confidence and trust in the criminal justice system overall. He also said while this idea has seen resistance politically to provide health care for all, perhaps it could be started like what is done at the Mayo Clinic. “The doctors there are not incentivized by what procedures they are doing,” Sherman said. “For instance, in our medical system if you are getting an amputation the doctor might get paid more and so maybe he is not incentivized to try and save your foot or finger.” Finally, he said “These are things that politically they are very polarized but I think America has to do a better job of being compassionate about its citizens.”

Ellis County Judge Todd Little said, “Both the outgoing and the incoming President must ensure that all constituents, regardless of who they supported, understand that the new President is there to serve all Americans and look after the interests of the nation as whole – primarily the Federal Government’s role in national security, a strong defense, and safeguarding our liberties and freedoms as Americans. This would include making sure that federal agencies do these essential jobs, and no more. It is well known that elections have consequences. Many times, changes in authority can alter the government’s direction according to the will of the people. Currently, the American people are calling for secure borders, controlled immigration, and a strong farm bill to help support an economically-viable and healthier food supply. The Democrats and the Biden Administration must be available to ensure a smooth transition of power to the Republicans and the Trump Administration, who now have control of the Presidency, the House, and the Senate, and who the American people have tasked with pursuing these goals. Regardless of who is in power, the preservation of the Presidency as an institution ultimately accountable to the American people is paramount.”

Justin Coffman, Mayor, City of Midlothian, said he would be solely focused on five things. “Make this the most efficient transition of power in American history; build support from my party for the next regime (when America wins, we all win); finishing strong in my role; bringing value to individuals by using my position in honoring people; working to leave a legacy by having final memories of my presidency being positive ones.”

Sheila Petta, Mayor, City of Wilmer, said, “I would work with the incoming administration to be sure there will be a smooth transition on the matters of importance relating to the southern border.”

Clyde Hairston, Mayor, City of Lancaster, said “If I was President Biden serving out my last few weeks in office, I would have a big presidential rally on the floor of Congress. I would bring the Democrats, Republicans, Independents and all who would listen and try to unite our country on major issues that matters to us as a people. “This includes protecting our country and our Constitution, Social Security and those who are affected by its system, lowering our interest rates, job security, fair housing, our economy, gun control, combat drugs and crime, stabilize energy resources, health and mental care, defending our democracy, and border control. In the last few weeks of my presidency and before my exit, I would do all I could to bring our country together.”

Tommy Scott, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Ferris, said, “I would be working on gun control and that is one thing I would have sunk my teeth into and improved by the time I left in a few weeks.” He added, “ I would do all I could regarding the border problem because that is what the people want and if there is anything else I could do to work on that I would; I would do anything necessary regarding luxury tax and add any stipulations on that before I left office. There should be a luxury tax, but not taxes on needed items like food and transportation, and I would make it such that the decision on this can’t be quickly overturned; and any last thing necessary to make sure the American people are protected when I am gone.

Gary Vineyard, Midlothian ISD School Board Trustee, President said he would do “Whatever is necessary to stop all illegal entries into the US and deploy necessary national guardsmen to patrol the border areas.” He also added that he would send aid to affected regions of the US due to this terrible decision; demand that all US hostages be freed from Gaza or face sanctions and military force from the US. In response to their being a peace treaty between Israel and Palestinians the US would help in rebuild efforts; re-open the keystone pipeline; hold off on sending any more money to Ukraine; create a funding bill to help businesses in cities like San Francisco that have been ravaged by looters in crime ridden areas; create a bill that applies to every state with automatic jail-time for any theft cases over $250; ensure that every state is properly funding public education and holding the Governor accountable; and encourage all NATO parties to put a halt on all imports/exports with Russia to end the war on Ukraine in 90 days.

Randy Bellomy, Chairman of Ellis County Republican Party, said “The five things I would do before leaving office if I was president would bee “Pardon most, if not all, the J6 patriots and ask the Department of Justice and the FBI to investigate and prosecute the capitol officer who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt on that day.” “I would shut down the borders and deport all the illegal aliens and build the border wall; declare war on the cartels and defend our nation from all the poison and human carnage they are inflicting on Americans; remove a lot of the burdensome regulations on business so our economy can flourish and reduce the national debt; and defund Planned Parenthood and National Public Broadcasting and abolish most of the three-letter agencies.”

John Wiley Price, Dallas County Commissioner, District 3 was intentionally focused. “I would be granting clemency,” he said.