Two Decades After the Attacks, President Biden Faces Ongoing Challenges

Washington, D.C. – President Joe Biden, in September 2021, marked the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, becoming the first president in two decades to do so without U.S. troops engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan – two wars that followed the tragic events of that day. However, the impact of 9/11 continues to shape his presidency in significant ways, from calls for national unity to enduring distrust in government.

Speaking at a ceremony in Alaska, President Biden paid tribute to the lives lost on that fateful day, emphasizing the need for Americans to unite around the principles of democracy. He reflected on the sense of unity that emerged immediately after the attacks, a spirit that has waned over time but remains crucial in today’s divided America.

However, as time passed, the post-9/11 unity dwindled amid growing doubts about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, which extended for years. These doubts contributed to deep-seated distrust in the government, a sentiment that poses challenges for President Biden’s leadership and his prospects in the upcoming election.

The scars of 9/11 are affecting Biden’s presidency in the following ways:

1. Erosion of Trust in Government:

• A mere 20% of Americans, as per a Pew Research Center survey last year, expressed trust in the government’s actions, a sentiment that has endured since the second term of President George W. Bush.
• The Iraq war, launched in 2003 with promises of eliminating weapons of mass destruction that were never found, and the long-running Afghanistan war have contributed to this skepticism.
• The erosion of trust in government complicates President Biden’s ability to govern effectively and threatens his reelection prospects.

2. Legacy of Afghanistan Withdrawal:

• President Biden’s decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, originally set for September 11, 2021, continues to cast a shadow on his presidency.
• The withdrawal was moved forward to August 31, 2021, following objections from Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who questioned the timing’s symbolism.
• A terrorist attack at the Kabul airport just days before the withdrawal’s completion resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. troops and numerous Afghans, leading to questions about the administration’s handling of the pullout.
• Gold Star families are demanding transparency about what went wrong.

3. Impact on Foreign Policy:

• Skepticism related to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars has influenced Biden’s efforts to secure emergency funding for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, despite the absence of U.S. troop deployments.
• Republican-led opposition in the House, driven by loyalty to former President Donald Trump, has complicated support for Ukraine.
• While President Biden has faced criticism for his management of the Afghanistan withdrawal, his handling of Ukraine has been praised by experts for forging alliances against Russia.

4. Political Fallout and Trump Presidency:

• The aftermath of 9/11 played a role in the rise of Donald Trump, with disillusionment and anger toward the system fueling Trump’s revolution within the Republican Party.
• President Biden’s appeal during the 2020 election was driven by a desire for a return to normalcy after the turbulent Trump years.
• The radical shifts in American politics, embodied by Trump and Biden, can be traced back to the events of 9/11.

The enduring impact of the 9/11 attacks continues to influence the political landscape, shaping President Biden’s presidency and the broader dynamics of American politics.