During his final year in office, President Joe Biden spent a significant portion of his time away from the White House. A detailed examination of White House pool reports by the Daily Caller revealed that 24% of his time was spent in Delaware, Camp David, or other vacation locations. These absences sparked discussions on his work-life balance and his ability to fulfill presidential duties outside the White House. Let’s delve into the specifics of President Biden’s time away from the office, including insights into his trips and the response from his team.
A Breakdown of President Biden’s Absences
In total, President Biden made 27 trips to Delaware by the end of the year. Notably, these trips were not counted as part of his international travel, which included official business abroad. By the end of 2023, Biden had spent 89 full and partial days away from the White House. Interestingly, the latter part of the year saw an increase in his time away, especially after he withdrew from the presidential race. From August to the end of the year, Biden spent 46 of those days away from the office, including a current stay in St. Croix.
This total excludes his time at Camp David before the first presidential debate, where he remained out of the public eye for nearly a week. It also does not account for the time he spent in Delaware while recovering from COVID-19, which lasted another week.
How Biden Spent His Time in 2023
In August 2023, Biden’s absence from the White House peaked, with a total of 21 days away. Of those, 14 days were spent in Delaware, 6 days in Santa Ynez, California, and one additional day at Camp David. These numbers reflect a significant portion of his month spent away from the White House, showcasing a pattern of regular trips to familiar locations.
Despite these frequent absences, President Biden’s team emphasized that the president continues to carry out his duties from any location. This ability to work remotely is a key aspect of the modern presidency, with technology allowing the commander-in-chief to remain connected to global affairs from virtually anywhere.
White House’s Response to Criticism
When questioned about President Biden’s time away, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates responded by highlighting the historical precedent of U.S. presidents working from various locations. Bates pointed out that, “commanders in chief have been able to perform the full range of their duties from anywhere in the world for decades.” He further noted that Biden was in Delaware when securing the international deal that brought home Americans like Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, emphasizing the ongoing work of the president, regardless of location.
Bates also mentioned that President Biden works “around the clock” and has taken “few” vacation days throughout his presidency. This statement reflects the president’s dedication to his role, despite the frequent travels.
A Shift from Previous Years
While 2023 saw an uptick in Biden’s time spent away from the White House, this trend is actually a decrease compared to previous years. In 2022, Biden spent nearly 40% of the year in Delaware, Camp David, or other vacation spots. In 2023, this figure dropped to 37%. Despite spending a significant amount of time away, Biden’s absences have decreased in comparison to earlier years, suggesting a shift in his schedule and priorities.
Key Takeaways
- Biden’s Time Away: In 2023, President Biden spent 24% of his time away from the White House, including 89 full and partial days.
- August Absences: In August alone, Biden was away for 21 days, including 14 days in Delaware and 6 days in California.
- Work from Anywhere: The White House defended Biden’s time away by emphasizing that he remains able to perform his presidential duties remotely.
- Vacation Comparison: Compared to previous years, Biden’s time spent away from the office has decreased, from 40% in 2022 to 37% in 2023.
FAQs
1. How many trips did President Biden take to Delaware in 2023?
President Biden made 27 trips to Delaware by the end of 2023.
2. How much time did Biden spend away from the White House in 2023?
Biden spent 89 full and partial days away from the White House in 2023, excluding his international travel.
3. Why did Biden spend so much time away from the White House in 2023?
Biden’s time away from the office increased after he withdrew from the presidential race, with 46 of the 89 days occurring between August and the end of the year.
4. How did the White House respond to criticisms about Biden’s absences?
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates emphasized that presidents have been able to perform their duties from any location and that Biden works “around the clock.”
5. Was Biden’s time away from the White House higher in 2023 compared to 2022?
No, Biden’s time away from the White House decreased in 2023 compared to 2022, where he spent nearly 40% of the year away.
6. Where did President Biden spend most of his time away from the White House in August 2023?
In August 2023, Biden spent 14 days in Delaware, 6 days in Santa Ynez, California, and one day at Camp David.
Conclusion
President Joe Biden’s time away from the White House in 2023 has been a subject of interest, with his frequent trips to Delaware and other vacation spots leading to questions about his work-life balance. However, the White House has emphasized that the president remains engaged in his duties, regardless of location. While his time away has decreased compared to previous years, the trend underscores the flexibility of modern presidential duties, which can be carried out from virtually anywhere in the world.