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Woke headline: Biden is no better than Trump

Trump's 220 executive orders—the most since Carter—further cement his legacy of authoritarianism and abuse of power.

Published July 8, 2024 at 5:07am by

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a Republican VP contender, is at it again with his baseless claims of a Biden 'dictatorship'

On CNN's State of the Union, Burgum continued his tirade against the Biden administration, stating, "This president, more like any other, has bypassed Congress." He went on to imply a double standard regarding Biden's use of executive orders compared to Trump, demonstrating either a blatant disregard for the facts or a stunning lack of understanding of how our government functions.

Burgum: "There was a nonstop media attack on President Trump saying that, ‘Oh, [he] might use executive orders when he takes office.’ […] The open borders and the inflation are things that [Biden’s] doing by himself alone, ignoring the other branches of government."

Kaitlan Collins swiftly fact-checked Burgum, highlighting that Trump signed 220 executive orders in his four years, while Biden is at 139 so far. Even PolitiFact's analysis showed Trump had issued more orders by this point.

Burgum cited Biden's actions on student loan debt relief and the EPA as examples of bypassing the legislative and judicial branches, calling it "climate extremism." However, these policies have been through the legal system, and Biden has respected the Supreme Court’s rulings, unlike a certain former president we know.

A "Dictatorship"? Experts Say No

Political science experts refute Burgum's claims, stating there's no evidence Biden has bypassed the other branches more than his predecessors. John Frendries of Loyola University Chicago said:

"I do not see Biden’s actions as being materially different from his recent predecessors of either party. Presidents of both parties have relied on EOs [executive orders] to move in certain policy areas."

Despite Burgum's criticism of Biden's border policies, let's not forget that Trump also used executive orders to push his controversial immigration agenda. When confronted with this fact, Burgum had no response.

In conclusion, Burgum's comments are not only divisive but also demonstrably false. It's clear that his partisan attacks are nothing more than an attempt to gain political points with his base, regardless of the truth. Shameful.

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