Biden jets off for New Year’s vacation in the Caribbean: Joe and Jill board Air Force One in heavy rain for the sunshine of St Croix to escape the storm he is facing in the U.S.

Joe and Jill Biden boarded Air Force One in heavy rain on Wednesday for their vacation on the Caribbean island of St. Croix to ring in the new year.

But it is unlikely that the president will be able to escape the darkening political clouds, both at home and around the world, as he sits on the sunny beach of the US Virgin Island.

Back in Washington, the coming battle for government funding awaits him; the current resolution ends on January 19.

And the 2024 elections will kick into high gear next month as Republicans begin the primary process to choose their presidential nominee.

There will also be more immediate, pressing political issues, including rising tensions in the Middle East and the increase in the number of migrants crossing at the southern border.

It is unlikely that the president will be able to escape the darkening political clouds, both at home and around the world, as he sits on the sunny beach of the US Virgin Island.

As Biden heads south to the Caribbean Sea, two of his top officials — Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas — will head south to Mexico, where they will seek help in clearing border crossings.

The politically charged issue is weighing heavily on the Biden administration.

Immigration has become entrenched in Biden's foreign policy — his push for more money for Ukraine and Israel has been stymied by Republicans' desire for more border funding.

And it's a political hot potato for the president, who is seeking a second term. Republicans — and even some Democrats — have criticized him for not doing enough to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

Meanwhile, fears are growing of a spreading war in the Middle East that could attract American troops. US forces in Syria and Iraq have already faced attacks from Iranian proxy groups.

And Biden continues to try to convince Republicans to support more funding for Ukraine in the fight against Russian forces.

Amid all this, the president is getting some family time at one of the Biden family's favorite winter destinations.

The Bidens have a long family tradition, spending time there in St. Croix almost every year since 2008.

The White House has not yet said where the family will stay this year

Last year, the president and first lady stayed in a luxury three-bedroom villa owned by billionaire Democratic donors Bill and Connie Neville, who made their fortunes in the technology industry.

Joe and Jill Biden board the smaller steps of Air Force One in the rain as they began their trip to the Caribbean

The Bidens sounded off on their private beach in 2023. St. Croix is ​​the easternmost point in the United States, giving the United States the first sunrise of the new year.

In the past, the Bidens joined locals in greeting the first sunrise of the new year at Point Udall, the easternmost point under the American flag. But as president he needs more security, hence the private early morning tradition.

The first family spent Christmas at Camp David but returned to the White House on Tuesday for a brief 24-hour stay.

Last year, the Bidens' daughter Ashley, her husband Howard and Biden grandchildren Natalie and Little Hunter joined the president and first lady on St. Croix.

The Bidens didn't pay rent last year, but stayed as “guests” in the house on Solitude Bay, a private community with its own beach. Homes there can sell for around $3 million, according to housing websites.

President Joe Biden and family stayed last year at the home of a billionaire Democratic donor on St. Croix — the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands

The villa is located on Solitude Bay, which has access to a private beach and is owned by Democratic donors Bill and Connie Neville

The Nevilles, who made their fortune in the tech industry, hosted the Biden family in 2022

Homes in the idyllic beach community of Solitude Bay can sell for around $3 million

According to vacation websites, a luxury family vacation rental on St. Croix can cost up to $5,000 per night.

Both the president and first lady are known to enjoy beach time. The Bidens own a beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware.

The Bidens will enjoy a beautiful escape from the cold – the average temperature on St. Croix is ​​in the 80s and sunny skies are forecast for the week ahead.

Biden's brother James owns property on Water Island and in the past the Bidens often spent a week there in January when the cold weather arrived on the East Coast.

During his time as vice president, Biden vacationed on St Croix in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Last year he was the first president to visit the island since former President Bill Clinton in the 1990s. Barack Obama visited it in 2007 when he was a presidential candidate.

Before Biden, the last sitting president to visit St. Croix was Harry Truman, in February 1948.