In recent weeks, numerous Republican presidential hopefuls have taken renewed aim at President Biden and his administration’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Former President Donald Trump, from whom many of the Republican presidential candidates have drawn a great deal of their rhetoric, has vehemently criticized Biden and his policies. Other GOP hopefuls, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani have been similarly critical of the Biden administration’s containment policies.
DeSantis, who is widely viewed as one of the favorites to win the GOP nomination, has been at the forefront of the criticism, purporting that Democrats’ policies have hindered the economic recovery in his home state. Giuliani has sought to tie the public health initiatives championed by Biden to a growing homeless crisis in the United States.
Many Republicans have cast doubts on the effectiveness of mandates, such as mask-wearing that have been widely credited with helping to slow the spread of the disease. They also point to an uneven recovery, blaming Biden’s policies for high unemployment and uneven economic effects across the country.
The GOP primary race is likely to continue to focus on Biden’s pandemic response as we get closer to the general election in November. It is clear that Biden will have to defend his approach while Democratic voters will have to choose between the policies of the Biden administration and the criticisms that have been levied against them by Republican candidates.
