The United Auto Workers have been striking for about two weeks now. On day twelve of the strike, they had a special guest join them on the picket line. President Joe Biden made an appearance to show his support for the union. This marks the first time a sitting president has so publicly shown support in such a visible way. Other very pro-union presidents have shown support, but never appeared on the picket lines in this capacity. Previously, President Franklin Roosevelt and President Harry Truman (two very pro-union presidents) have merely expressed their support of unions. President Theodore Roosevelt had labor leaders and mine operators at the White House during the coal strike of 1902. Rather than this directly showing support for the unions though, this was his attempt to reconcile the situation and end the strike.

The president of the United Auto Workers union, Shawn Fair, expressed his gratitude for the president’s appearance.

While the union was very appreciative of Biden’s appearance, as were many others, there were some who felt this was done in poor taste. The president of the American Trucking Associations, Chris Spear, went as far as to claim that Biden furthered the issue. He also called this action “political theater.” Spear and others who disagree with Biden’s actions feel that the president chose a side and that this choice will damage American businesses.

Amidst this backlash, Biden has held strong to his decision to appear on the picket line. He was seen walking along the line shaking hands and fist-bumping auto union members. He delivered a speech to the strikers in which he said “Wall Street didn’t build this country; the middle class built this country. The unions built the middle class. That’s a fact.” Workers chanted back after the speech concluded. Furthermore, when asked if the workers deserve a 40% pay raise, he simply answered “yes.”

A day after Biden made a visit to the strikers, former President Donald Trump made an appearance at the picket line.

Whether Biden’s visit was a political move to garner support from the strikers and others in the working class or out of a genuine want to show his support of the union, it was a very polarizing move. The different reactions people are having to Biden’s appearance are why most presidents avoid making such a public stance on union matters.