BIDEN’S whiff

The president’s caution after Roe was overturned has frustrated some aides and Democrats, who see their rights—and a political opportunity—slipping away

- NANCY COOK

The aides in the Joe Biden administration aren’t known for rebelliousness. They rarely air grievances over their boss’s missteps—certainly not publicly, or to the press. There have been moments of crisis, of course, like the nationwide baby formula shortage or the wildly chaotic military pullout from Afghanistan. But they kept their heads down through those, enduring long hours and low pay to work for a president some hadn’t even initially supported in the Democratic primaries.

This time was different. The chatter started almost immediately after the US Supreme Court reversed the precedent that had protected nearly 50 years of legal abortion in the US. In text messages, over drinks, and at house parties, aides privately expressed anger that President Biden wasn’t responding with real action, or seemingly any sense of urgency, to the dismantling of Americans’ rights.

“How can this be our reaction? It doesn’t meet the moment!” one young administration official said in a phone call. “If we don’t do the right thing here, will we ever?”

Like the rest of the world, the Biden administration knew for almost two months that abortion rights were about to be gutted, thanks to a leaked draft opinion published by Politico. For weeks, top White House aides consulted with outside lawyers and legal experts about what moves they could make, according to a White House official. All told, administration officials have so far met with over 200 groups or individuals on what could be done to salvage abortion access. Biden has regularly received policy briefings on the issue.