With former President Donald J. Trump's impeachment now over, many Americans are left with a simple but important question: What next? With the now active Biden administration, all eyes are on the new president, both from the Left and the Right.
Indeed, Progressives expect much from the current occupant of the White House, especially after his historic victory over a deeply unpopular president. Indeed, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, who is one of the Progressive Caucus's co-chair, has noted that time is of the essence, saying, "We have a very short period of time to have people believe that government is the great equalizer of opportunity."
With control over the House and Senate, President Biden has an immense opportunity before him. With roughly 54 percent of Americans approving of his administration, Biden has the support to begin a dynamic administration if he plays his cards right.
Though some have warned against Biden as a moderate during the 2020 campaign, his first few days in office have shown some willingness to push back on his predecessor's policies. In particular, he shocked many with nearly 40 executive orders within his first few days in office. Though most of them were reversals on the previous administration's policies, something he was quick to emphasize.
Even now, Biden administrators are examining the legalese left by the previous president's allies, looking for any left-over decisions that could sink the administration's plan. Biden himself signed an executive order mandating a review of many of Trump's deterrence policies on immigration earlier this month, suggesting a cautious but critical immigration approach.
However, Biden also faces backlash from the Right, particularly related to his aforementioned shift in immigration policy. A letter signed by 26 House Republicans was sent to the White House last Wednesday, urging President Biden not to revoke and loosen restrictions placed upon the U.S Refugee Admissions Program, more commonly known as USRAP.
Right-Wing media has also begun its assault on the Biden administration's immigration policy approach, particularly on Fox News. Though, it is likely that other Right-Wing outlets will join in the cacophony of dissent.
Biden faces immense pressure to get things done with an ever-changing polity, a fracturing opposition, and a growing Progressive wing. And he's only been in office for a few weeks.