Trump, Said to Work on Vacation, But Deeply Engrossed in Golf

Uncertainty Over Federal Budget Bill Signing
Emphasizes $2000 Cash Payment Again via Twitter
Concerns Over Government Shutdown if Vetoed
Biden Stays Home, Urges Family Gathering Restraint

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden each spent Christmas at a resort and their home in Florida, respectively.

On the 25th (local time), President Trump enjoyed his holiday at the Mar-a-Lago resort, visiting the golf course for two consecutive days.

The White House stated ahead of Trump's trip to Florida, "He will work tirelessly for the American people. The schedule includes many meetings and phone calls," but it has not disclosed with whom he spoke or what meetings took place, drawing criticism.

The U.S. political circles are wary as Congress sent a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package and a $1.4 trillion federal government budget for the 2021 fiscal year to the White House a day earlier, yet President Trump is playing golf instead of signing it immediately.

If President Trump does not sign the budget, federal government funds will run out on the 28th, and a temporary government shutdown will begin on the 29th.

AP News pointed out that President Trump threw a grenade threatening a government shutdown amid the pandemic and spent two days playing golf in Florida.

Seemingly aware of such criticism, President Trump tweeted that day, "There were many calls and meetings at the golf course," and rebutted, "Why don't politicians want to give $2,000 in cash instead of $600? It's not their fault but China's. Give money to the people."

On the 22nd, President Trump expressed opposition to the relief bill, citing reasons such as increasing the COVID-19 aid payment to individuals from the current maximum of $600 to $2,000, but unlike the National Defense Authorization Act, he did not directly mention exercising a veto.

Congress has convened the House on the 28th and the Senate on the 29th to reconsider the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) vetoed by President Trump, but if he does not decide whether to exercise his veto before the new Congress begins on January 3 next year, the worst-case scenario of the budget agreed upon by Congress being automatically discarded cannot be ruled out.

President Trump also stirred controversy by focusing on pardons for his close aides until just before departing for his holiday.

Meanwhile, President-elect Biden, staying at home, posted a video on Twitter saying that every Christmas Eve he used to invite up to 25 people, but this year it was canceled due to the pandemic, urging, "We miss our family, but it is necessary to protect their safety. Please consider the size of family gatherings and travel restrictions this year."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.