With a series of events, Biden is running to pressure Trump

In the final days of his term, President Biden has issued a series of policy decisions designed to bolster his agenda and, in some cases, make it more difficult for President-elect Donald J. Trump.

The 11th-hour decisions, many of them executive actions, include measures on environmental justice, prison reform, immigration and foreign relations. Some are designed to preserve Mr. Biden’s legacy, while others are a last-ditch effort to expand his style. Many are likely to be canceled after Mr Trump takes office next week.

The move drew attention from Mr Trump, who said on social media earlier this month that Mr Biden was “doing everything possible” to make the transition process “as difficult as possible. “

“Don’t panic, these ‘orders’ will be lifted soon,” Mr Trump added.

White House officials said Mr. Biden had directed his administration to ensure a smooth transition.

Here’s a look at some of Mr. Biden’s last big moves as he winds down his presidency.

Offshore Drilling

Mr. Biden last week announced a ban on new oil and gas drilling along more than 625 million acres of the US coast as part of an effort to protect the environment and ensure public health. Mr Trump called the move “ridiculous” and promised to reverse the ban.

National monument

He created two national monuments in California. Biden this month to jointly prevent mining and drilling — as well as wind, solar and other energy development — across more than 848,000 acres of desert and mountainous land in the state.

Cuba

The Biden administration announced on Tuesday that it would remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and ease economic sanctions on the country as part of a deal that is expected to free the protesters. imprisoned by the Communist government. Mauricio Claver-Carone, who was recently named Mr. Trump’s envoy to Latin America, said the announcement favored “an illegal anti-American regime.”

mercy

Mr. Biden last month commuted the sentences of nearly all federal death row inmates to life in prison without parole. Mr. Trump supports the death penalty, and during his 2024 presidential campaign called for its extension. Mr. Biden also last month commuted the sentences of 1,500 people who had been under house arrest, the most commutes by a president in one day.

US Steel

The president blocked the US$14 billion takeover of Japan’s Nippon Steel earlier this month because the sale threatened national security. Mr. Trump also said that US Steel should belong to Americans.

Artificial intelligence

The Biden administration on Monday released tough rules earlier this week to control how chips and artificial intelligence modules are shared with foreign countries.

Ukraine

Mr Biden in November approved Ukraine’s use of US-provided long-range missiles to strike Russia. Days later, Mr. Biden approved the supply of U.S. anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine. The United States earlier this month announced new sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector. Mr. Biden also tried to withdraw congressionally approved US aid to Ukraine. Mr. Trump has been very skeptical about US aid to Ukraine.

Student loans

The Biden administration said this week that it canceled the student loans of more than 150,000 borrowers, bringing the number of Americans who have had their debts forgiven during his term. Mr. Biden will be more than five million.

dismissal

The administration last week issued an extension of deportation protections for hundreds of thousands of people from Sudan, Ukraine, El Salvador and Venezuela in a move that makes it nearly impossible for Mr. Trump to quickly withdraw the benefits. Mr. Trump has promised to begin mass deportations on his first day in office.

Civil servants

The Social Security Administration and the American Federation of Government Employees reached an agreement in December that will allow federal employees to continue working remotely until 2029. Mr. Trump says he will go to court to stop the policy. Some of Mr. Trump’s advisers who are focused on cutting the number of federal workers have said that requiring future workers to work in the office could result in voluntary resignations.

Mr. Biden signed bipartisan legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to a group of public sector retirees who receive them at lower rates.