President Joe Biden and his wife Jill are continuing their family tradition of spending the New Year on St. Croix, the southernmost U.S. Virgin Island. However, this escape to the sunny beach comes amidst a brewing political storm heading into 2024.

The Bidens boarded Air Force One on a rainy Wednesday for their Caribbean vacation, leaving behind pressing political issues awaiting them back in Washington. The government funding battle and the 2024 election, with Republicans gearing up for their primary process, are looming concerns. Additionally, immediate issues such as tensions in the Middle East and a surge in migrant crossings at the southern border are on the horizon.

As President Biden heads to St. Croix, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas head to Mexico to address border crossings. Immigration, a key political issue, has become intertwined with Biden’s foreign policy, impacting funding for Ukraine and Israel.

Despite these challenges, the Bidens are set to enjoy family time at one of their favorite winter destinations. The family tradition dates back to 2008, with St. Croix being the chosen spot nearly every year. Last year, they stayed at a luxurious villa owned by Democratic donors Bill and Connie Neville.

St. Croix, known for its beauty, offers a private beach where the Bidens rang in 2023. The family typically joined locals at Point Udall for the first sunrise, but as President, heightened security now requires a more private tradition.

The Bidens spent Christmas at Camp David before their Caribbean journey. Daughter Ashley, her husband Howard, and grandkids Natalie and Little Hunter joined them last year. Staying as ‘guests’ at Solitude Bay, a private community with its own beach, the Bidens experienced the hospitality of the Nevilles, who hosted the family in 2022.

Solitude Bay homes can sell for around $3 million, reflecting the luxurious escape the Bidens are accustomed to. A luxury family vacation rental on St. Croix can cost up to $5,000 a night. The Bidens, known for their love of beach time, also own a beach home in Rehoboth, Delaware.

As they enjoy the warmth of St. Croix, President Biden’s brother James owns property on Water Island, a previous retreat spot for the family. Reflecting on past visits, St. Croix holds a special place in their hearts, and President Biden, making history as the first sitting president to visit the island since Bill Clinton, continues the tradition started by Harry Truman in February 1948.