Biden Pledged to 'End This Uncivil War.' Nearly 4 Years Later, It Still Rages On
In January 2021, President Joe Biden’s inaugural address centered around a single theme: “unity.” He vowed to bridge the deep partisan divide that had grown during the Trump administration. Nearly four years later, as Biden gears up for re-election, that promise remains largely unfulfilled. The nation continues to be mired in the same intense tribal standoff that has been escalating for decades.
Despite the ongoing division, Biden's allies insist that he has not given up. They claim that he remains hopeful about the possibility of bipartisan cooperation and intends to appoint Republicans to Cabinet positions if re-elected. This, they believe, could help mend the political discourse that has become increasingly toxic.
A study from Vanderbilt University measuring national unity shows a consistent decline since the early 1980s, with a minor improvement after Biden took office due to a slight decrease in the number of people who “strongly disapprove” of the president, according to John Greer, the Vanderbilt political science professor who created the index.
However, disillusionment is growing. In a recent focus group, a 46-year-old Georgia Republican expressed regret over her decision to switch her vote from Trump to Biden in 2020, hoping it would lead to greater national cohesion. She now plans to return to supporting Trump, feeling that the nation remains just as divided, if not more so, under Biden’s leadership.
