Biden in race to fix relations with world
JOE Biden will spend his first 24 hours as president undoing Donald Trump’s policies to “restore America’s place in the world”.
The President-elect is poised to rejoin the Paris Agreement on climate change and rescind the Muslim travel ban immediately.
The details emerged as it was claimed Mr Biden is keen to patch things up with Boris Johnson who he once called a “clone” of Trump, and that he knows how essential the “Special Relationship” is between the UK and US.
He has made no secret of his distaste for the UK leaving the European Union.
But close friends of the President-elect say he will prioritise a relationship with the Prime Minister above other foreign leaders.
Sources close to Mr Biden suggested the UK will also be his first foreign destination.
EX-FBI boss James Comey, said yesterday he expects him to “foster a relationship with the UK”.
“He knows how important that relationship is in all kinds of ways,” Mr Comey said.
“The one I know best is the security relationship. Our work with your intelligence, military and law enforcement folks is essential to our security. Your citizens save American lives on a regular basis.
“He knows that, he has been in the White House situation room.”
The new US leader will be inaugurated on Wednesday amid unprecedented security with over 25,000 National Guard troops in Washington DC after the deadly US Capitol riots two weeks ago.
The FBI has warned of “armed protests” in the days before the event.
After being sworn into office, Mr Biden plans to waste no time according to a memo from incoming chief of staff, Ron Klain.
Among dozens of executive orders in his first 10 days he wants to issue a mask mandate on all federal property, halt housing evictions and pause student loan payments until the pandemic is tackled.
Klain wrote: “President-elect Biden will take decisive action and restore America’s place in the world.”
■ The 20ft Donald Trump baby blimp flown above Parliament during protests over Mr Trump’s visit to the UK, has been bought by the Museum of London.
He knows just how important the Special Relationship is for the US
JAMES COMEY ON BIDEN’S HOPES FOR UK ALLIANCE