WinkBlog

By Mike Fishmore | May 11, 2024

Special Forces

On May 5, a post on Facebook displayed a flight tracking map depicting an aircraft allegedly en route from the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp in Cuba to the United States.
 

“Special Forces coming back from the Spa better known as Gitmo," the post reads. "The place 'Biden' campaigned he would close but can’t because he’s not President by LAW.”
 

Close Gitmo

“Executive Order 13823 was an Order that revoked Obama’s EO to close Gitmo. If (commander in chief) Trump can revoke an order, how come 'Biden' can’t do the same?” the post continues.
 

Similar claims

Within two days, the post garnered over 100 shares, with similar claims circulating on Facebook. While there is substantial evidence confirming Joe Biden as the current president, he has not issued an executive order to close the detention center. 
 

Since assuming office

However, Biden has enacted over 100 other orders since assuming office. The post mentions Executive Order 13823, signed by former President Donald Trump in 2018, which mandated the detention center, known for its history of mistreatment of detainees, to remain operational.
 

Shut down

It is accurate that Biden campaigned on a pledge to shut down the facility in 2020, a promise yet to be fulfilled. 
 

Executive order

Shortly after Barack Obama assumed the presidency in 2009, he signed an executive order to close the prison within a year, a plan that ultimately faltered due to insufficient congressional backing.
 

Continued operation

The detention center's continued operation under Biden does not negate his status as the current president.
 

The closure

As of May 6, Biden has signed 138 executive orders, per Ballotpedia, none of which pertain to the closure of the detention center. 
 

Various activities

His presidential duties have encompassed various activities, such as international representation, military command, and enacting legislation.
 

Following his victory

Following his victory in the November 2020 election with 306 electoral votes against Trump's 232, Biden officially assumed office on January 20, 2021, during the inauguration ceremony.
 

Delivered a speech

On April 24, 2024, President Joe Biden delivered a speech at the North American Building Trades Unions 2024 Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.
 

Guantanamo Bay facility

Since its establishment in 2002, approximately 780 detainees have been held at the Guantanamo Bay facility, with around 30 individuals still in custody, as reported by The New York Times.

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