WASHINGTON ― During a reflective and defensive discussion about his legacy with YSL News, President Joe Biden expressed he thinks he could have successfully campaigned for reelection; however, he is uncertain if he’d possess the stamina to serve another four years in office.

“So far, so good,” he remarked. “But who knows how I will feel at 86?”

In an exit interview that covered topics like policy, politics, and family, Biden noted he is undecided about potentially taking a significant action before his term ends in two weeks: issuing preemptive pardons, a step only three presidents have previously taken.

On a chilly Sunday afternoon, with a fire crackling in the fireplace and a large portrait of FDR above the mantle, Biden sat at the historic Resolute desk. Reflecting on his own record as the 46th president, he contemplated his actions in these final days of his presidency.

Biden mentioned he is considering granting preemptive pardons to public figures like former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney and former health official Dr. Anthony Fauci, who are at risk of investigations and prosecution from incoming president Donald Trump.

When Biden met Trump in the Oval Office a week post-election, he urged Trump not to act on threats against individuals who have criticized him, including those involved in Cheney’s impeachment efforts.

“I tried to convey that retaliation was unnecessary and contrary to any good interest he had,” Biden recalled, adding that Trump’s response was simply listening without any commitments. “He didn’t say, ‘No, I’m going to …’ You know. He didn’t reinforce it; he just basically listened.”

Biden indicated that his decision regarding pardons would be influenced, at least in part, by whom Trump selects for key administration roles. Trump has nominated former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department and loyalist Kash Patel for the FBI.

It has been over fifty years since a young 28-year-old Biden won his first election by defeating a Republican incumbent for a seat on the New Castle County Council in Delaware. Now, at the age of 82, with 35 years in the Senate, eight years as vice president, and four years as president, he seems reluctant to exit his final elected role.

“This is quite a historic moment, isn’t it?” he remarked to a reporter, smiling as a significant snowstorm approached the capital. “I mean, who would’ve − as my brother jokes − who would’ve thunk it?”

‘Who can say?’

Concerns arose regarding the age and cognitive ability of the nation’s oldest president following a shaky debate performance against Trump in June. Prominent Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, suggested he should step aside, an unprecedented suggestion so late in a campaign.

Eventually, after hesitating, he withdrew in July, allowing Vice President Kamala Harris to take on the Democratic nomination, which she lost in November.

Did he believe he could have won?

“It’s bold to assert, but I think yes,” Biden responded, referencing polling data he had seen. However, when asked about his energy levels for another term, he admitted uncertainty. “I don’t know,” he confessed.

A number of analysts remain skeptical that Biden could have won a second term, especially amid voters’ concerns over inflation and desire for change. Additionally, his slower movements and verbal slips have raised doubts about his fitness for the presidency.

During a nearly hour-long interview, Biden was engaged and conversational, but at times spoke so softly that he was hard to hear. Although he had index cards with notes and key points on his desk, he only glanced at them once at the end, possibly to highlight the most significant topics.

Biden became animated when discussing his son Hunter’s sobriety journey, describing Hunter not as a source of embarrassment but as a fighter who has made his father proud.

He acknowledged that his age is a concern.

“I had no plans to run after Beau passed away − I’m serious, not joking,” Biden stated, reflecting on the 2015 death of his son Beau from brain cancer. This family tragedy marked a somber moment at what seemed to be the end of his political journey, paralleling an earlier loss when his first wife and baby daughter, Naomi, died in a car accident.

Back in 2020, while Trump was campaigning for reelection, I genuinely believed I had a strong chance to defeat him. However, the idea of being president at 85 or 86 didn’t appeal to me. So, I spoke about passing the baton to a younger generation of Democratic leaders, which many interpreted as a sign that I might not pursue a second term.

“But honestly, who can say?” he reflected when asked if he could have handled the world’s toughest job for another four years. “Who the hell knows?”

Adapting to Global Changes

Biden emphasized that his extensive experience has benefited his approach to international relations.

“The only advantage of being older is that I’ve known all the important world leaders for a long time. This gives me a unique perspective on each of them and their needs,” he stated. Having led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee prior to his two vice presidential terms, he believes this background helped him address significant global shifts occurring everywhere from Europe and Latin America to the Middle East and Far East.

He mentioned restoring partnerships that were strained during Trump’s presidency and highlighted a pivotal moment in history that he navigated. As he prepares to leave office, there are no American troops engaged in foreign wars; however, the U.S. is actively involved in the war in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

“The world is really getting smaller,” he noted, recognizing the U.S. as a key player. This perspective contrasts sharply with Trump’s “America First” approach, which prioritized a less globalist view. “What happens in Japan is deeply influenced by developments in Ukraine. Events in Zambia can impact what occurs in the Gulf,” he explained.

Biden’s interview format has been uncommon during his presidency. He has conducted fewer press conferences and meetings with journalists than any other president since at least Ronald Reagan. YSL News is the only print outlet scheduled for an interview as he leaves office.

The White House’s agreement to this interview suggests that while Biden can still capture global attention, he wants to convey that he has established a strong and favorable legacy. The main point: his presidency’s impact shouldn’t be reduced to debates over his age, fluctuating presidential aspirations, or his decision to extend a broad pardon to his son.

“I hope history reflects that when I entered, I had a plan to revive the economy and reinstate America’s leadership globally,” Biden expressed. “That’s my aspiration. Who knows? I also hope it records that I acted with honesty and integrity, expressing my true thoughts.”

Signs of his impending departure were evident. The press room was noticeably sparse, with one journalist from the small collective dozing off in a chair. White House staff were quietly giving tours of the West Wing to family and friends, relishing opportunities to glimpse the Roosevelt Room and the Cabinet Room.

Later, Biden planned to go to the East Room to authorize the Social Security Fairness Act, a significant piece of legislation that will extend benefits to millions of retirees and mark one of his last acts in office.

Trump’s Unexpected Praise

Biden defended the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan and additional legislative actions taken to bolster the economy following the COVID-19 crisis as vital for enhancing growth and job opportunities, even as the considerable expenditure has faced criticism for contributing to rising inflation. “We invested significantly, but we managed to avoid a recession; we had a soft landing,” he stated, noting that many economists had predicted an unavoidable economic downturn.

“How can America continue to lead the world in a changing landscape without having top-notch infrastructure, the best educational system, or premium healthcare?” he questioned. “These are essentials to me.”

Despite inflation easing, many Americans still face rising grocery and housing costs. As Biden’s administration comes to a close, the unemployment rate hovers near historical lows, stock markets have soared, and the economy is in a recovery phase.

Though Trump has publicly lambasted the state of the nation, labeling it a “disaster” and “a mess,” Biden recounted that, in a private meeting, Trump had extended compliments regarding several economic measures he enacted, mentioning that he felt Biden was departing with a commendable record.

The legacies of these two leaders are intertwined, with Trump’s two terms preceding Biden’s single term. They have presented Americans with drastically different views on essential matters, such as the role of democratic institutions and the significance of political norms.

In time, one might be viewed as a harbinger of the nation’s future, while the other might be viewed as a historical anomaly.

Biden cautioned that Trump could disrupt the ongoing economic progress if some of his proposed policies were implemented.

“I believe that if he enacts $5 trillion in tax reductions or imposes higher tariffs indiscriminately, it will only bring about increased costs for consumers in America. If he rolls back significant initiatives like the rescue plan, infrastructure projects, or climate legislation, I think he risks undermining his own efforts and damaging the economy,” he remarked.

Trump, who is now Biden’s predecessor once again, has pledged to unravel significant portions of Biden’s legacy. In response, Biden has been working to secure that legacy by investing billions from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan in Republican states and districts, projects that are now praised by some Republican lawmakers.

“This is a strategy to solidify a new economic policy,” Biden stated. He remains hopeful.

Biden’s Major Regrets

Does Biden have regrets? Yes, albeit a few.

He identified his most significant disappointment as his insufficient response to the spread of misinformation, especially that propagated by Trump. He acknowledged that this issue reflects a broader transformation in how Americans consume news and whom they trust for accurate information.

“Due to the current nature of information dissemination, there are no editors to say, ‘That is simply false,’” Biden explained. He pointed to Trump’s rhetoric surrounding migrant threats as an example, even as he seemed to conflate two recent violent incidents.

There have been incidents involving trucks that involve Army veterans, one occurring in New Orleans and another in Las Vegas.

“The individual in Las Vegas is a veteran who was born and raised in the United States,” Biden commented. “Yet, the soon-to-be president comes in and claims: ‘It’s evident. This is an invasion from the south. All these immigrants are the source of our problems.’  I would wager that about 70% of people interpret that and accept it as truth. How does one address that?”

In Las Vegas, the person responsible for the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel is noted to be a Trump supporter, leaving behind messages that referred to it as a “wake up call” and expressing that the United States was “terminally ill and on a path to collapse.”

In New Orleans, the individual who drove a truck into a crowd in the French Quarter was an American born in Texas who had been radicalized by the Islamic State, also known as ISIS.

“When I stated that the criminals entering this country are far worse than the ones we already have, this assertion was repeatedly dismissed by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be accurate,” Trump wrote on Truth Social following the attack in New Orleans.

Biden also voiced his disappointment regarding the lengthy delay in starting infrastructure projects. “Historians will comment on the significant impact, but it didn’t provide any immediate benefits to people’s lives,” he noted. “I believe we would have been much better off had we accelerated the initiation of these projects.”

“And I don’t think I’ve been very effective at − ” He hesitated.

“Taking credit?”

“Or not just myself, but ensuring that the public understands the government accomplished this for them.”