Juan Verde
Advisor to Joe Biden’s presidential campaign
A. Rubio
He considers that the assault on the US Congress “has not done the United States any good abroad, but neither has it done any good to American citizens”. Juan Verde, advisor to the president-elect’s campaign, says in an interview in The Diplomat channel on YouTube that Joe Biden “has a very difficult job, to reunify the country”.
Did you ever think this assault on the Capitol could happen?
We all knew something could happen because, two months before the election, Trump began to question the outcome on the possibility that he might lose. And I must confess that it was a brilliant strategic move because he had a very clear objective, to become a martyr. That is going to allow him to continue to be a very important player in the American political landscape. No other Republican leader has the pull and influence that Trump has among his rank and file. And that gives him a lot of power, both politically and economically.
However, the question is how can such an egocentric, irresponsible, criminal person exist, I would dare say, willing to let everyone lose as long as he wins?
And isn’t it the Republican Party itself that loses the most?
Of course it is. That is why there is an imperative need for the Impeachment process to be carried out. Many people say that at this moment the main thing is reconciliation. And I completely agree, but one does not take away the other. I think it is a very important responsibility of senators to send a clear signal that not everything is fair and that someone willing to attack the democratic system has to pay the price.
On the positive side, American democracy has shown its strength.
Of course, and it has also shown that the institutions are very strong. Because we were on the verge of a coup d’état, but the institutions worked, the authorities did what they had to do and the political leadership showed vision and responsibility.
Don’t even Trump’s most extremist supporters pose a risk?
President Biden inherits a deeply divided country. He has a very difficult task, which is to reunify the country. But I believe that if anyone can achieve this, it is him. In his political life, he has always been moderate and conciliatory towards everyone. That is what is needed and that is the great challenge of the Democratic Party. If he does not succeed, and I know that I may sound alarmist, I would not rule out a civil war.
What will President Biden’s first decisions in the White House be?
Broadly speaking, there are three priorities for the President. First is the health crisis. He has already said that in the next 100 days an emergency plan must be put in place, with 100 million vaccines. Secondly, economic recovery, which goes hand in hand with the first. And thirdly, it is difficult to think of economic recovery without international stability. The relationship with China is going to be very important. We are moving towards a polarised world, but in order to have a good relationship with China it is important to strengthen the transatlantic relationship with Europe.
Will we see Juan Verde again in a US administration position?
It would be possible. At this stage it is a bit premature. But yes, I am having a series of discussions with the incoming government to explore that possibility. But there is nothing definitive at this time.
