President Biden's decision to visit a picket line and show solidarity with striking auto workers has sparked controversy and criticism from former President Barack Obama's car czar, Steven Rattner. Rattner, who led Obama's auto industry task force in 2009, condemned Biden's actions as “outrageous” and stated that there is no precedent for a sitting president to take such a stance. He argued that the tradition for presidents is to remain neutral in labor disputes.

Rattner acknowledged the political motivations behind Biden's move, stating that the progressives had demanded an advocate rather than a mediator. According to Rattner, Biden bowed to these demands and is now using his position to influence the outcome of the strike. Rattner expressed his disagreement with this approach, deeming it "wrong."

Meanwhile, President Biden embraced his blue-collar image during his visit to the picket line outside General Motors' Willow Run parts center. He stood alongside UAW President Shawn Fain and passionately addressed the striking workers. Biden pumped his fist as Fain criticized "corporate greed" and drew parallels between the strike and the collective effort of the US in World War Two. Fain highlighted the historical significance of the location, which was previously a part of the country's "arsenal of democracy" during the war.

Fain emphasized that the enemy faced by the workers today is not a foreign country but rather corporate greed. He praised the working-class people on the picket lines as the true liberators who will defeat this enemy. President Biden echoed Fain's sentiments, stating that the middle class and unions have been instrumental in building the country and deserve fair compensation for their work.

The UAW, which has refrained from endorsing Biden, is demanding 40% pay raises and a 32-hour work week for employees from the automakers. The White House has not clarified whether Biden supports these demands.

In response to Biden's visit, former President Donald Trump, the leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, decided to address union workers in Detroit instead of participating in the second GOP primary debate. Trump expressed his support for autoworkers and his commitment to saving their jobs in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

The controversy surrounding President Biden's visit to the picket line highlights the ongoing debate over labor rights, corporate responsibility, and the role of the president in labor disputes. It also underscores the political dynamics that shape these discussions as politicians seek to align themselves with various interest groups.