Recent social media post has attempted to undermine President Joe Biden’s legitimacy by questioning his failure to issue an executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp. The post, shared on Facebook, falsely implies that Biden’s inability to shut down the facility suggests he lacks presidential authority.
The post refers to Executive Order 13823, signed by former President Donald Trump in 2018, which mandated the continued operation of the detention center. It claims that if Trump could revoke an order, then why hasn’t Biden done the same?
However, this claim is unfounded. Despite not yet signing an executive order to close Guantanamo Bay, President Biden has issued over 100 other executive orders during his tenure, demonstrating his presidential authority.
Contrary to the misleading post, President Biden has fulfilled numerous presidential duties since taking office, including representing the United States on the global stage, commanding the armed forces, and enacting legislation. These actions unequivocally affirm his position as the legitimate president of the United States.
While it’s true that Biden campaigned on a promise to close Guantanamo Bay, similar to former President Barack Obama’s failed attempt in 2009, the continued operation of the camp does not invalidate Biden’s presidency. Obama’s executive order to shutter the facility within a year faced congressional opposition, leading to its failure to materialize.
Guantanamo Bay, established in 2002, has housed approximately 780 detainees, with around 30 still detained as of present. Despite repeated pledges from various administrations to close the facility, its doors remain open due to complex legal and political challenges.
President Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, marked by 306 electoral votes compared to Trump’s 232, culminated in his inauguration on January 20, 2021, symbolizing the peaceful transfer of power between administrations. This reaffirms his legitimacy as the duly elected president of the United States.
