Was Joe Biden a good president?

The question of whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is a subject of intense debate among historians, political scientists, and the public. Assessments of his presidency (2021–2025) vary widely depending on which issues—such as legislative output, economic policy, or foreign relations—are prioritized.

When Biden’s term ended in January 2025, Gallup reported his final job approval rating at 40%, with an overall average of 43% across his presidency. This polarized public sentiment stands in contrast to the views of presidential historians, who generally rate his legacy more favorably.

The primary arguments both in favor of and against his presidency outline his complex legacy.

The Case for Biden (Key Achievements)

Supporters and many presidential scholars view Biden as a highly consequential president who achieved significant legislative goals and restored traditional democratic norms.

•Major Legislative Successes: Despite thin congressional majorities, Biden signed several historic, often bipartisan bills into law. These included:

•The American Rescue Plan (2021): A $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package.

•The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021): A $1.2 trillion investment in roads, bridges, public transit, and clean water.

•The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): Aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

•The Inflation Reduction Act (2022): The largest federal investment in fighting climate change and lowering prescription drug costs in U.S. history.

•Economic Recovery and Job Growth: Under Biden, the U.S. experienced a robust post-pandemic recovery. His administration oversaw the creation of over 16 million jobs—the most of any single-term president—and unemployment dropped to historic, 70-year lows.

•Strengthening Foreign Alliances: Following the "America First" era, Biden focused on rebuilding international alliances. He was widely praised by allies for rapidly organizing NATO to support Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion and for expanding the alliance to include Finland and Sweden.

•Judicial Appointments: Biden appointed a record number of diverse federal judges, including Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black female Supreme Court Justice.

•High Scholar Rankings: In the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project survey, nearly 200 presidential scholars ranked Biden as the 14th-best president in U.S. history, praising his focus on preserving democratic institutions and his administrative stability.

The Case Against Biden (Key Criticisms)

Critics, including congressional Republicans and many independent voters, argue that Biden’s policies led to economic strain at home and instability abroad.

•Inflation and Cost of Living: The most pervasive criticism of Biden’s presidency was inflation, which peaked at a 40-year high of 9.1% in 2022. Critics argue that the massive federal spending in his relief packages flooded the economy with excess cash, driving up the cost of groceries, housing, and fuel. While inflation eventually cooled, the cumulative rise in the cost of living left many Americans feeling financially worse off.

•The Southern Border and Immigration: Biden faced immense criticism for his handling of the U.S.–Mexico border. Migrant crossings reached record highs during his term, straining local resources in several major cities. Critics labeled his enforcement policies weak, while some progressives argued his eventual implementation of stricter asylum rules went too far.

•Foreign Policy Challenges:

•Afghanistan Withdrawal: The August 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan was widely criticized as chaotic and poorly planned. The rapid collapse of the Afghan government, the return of the Taliban, and a terrorist attack that killed 13 U.S. service members marked a low point in his foreign policy ratings.

•Global Instability: Detractors argue that conflicts like the war in Ukraine and the escalation of the Israel-Hamas war occurred under his watch, which they view as a sign of weakened American deterrence.

•Political Polarization and Age: Although Biden campaigned on "healing the soul of the nation" and bringing bipartisanship back to Washington, political polarization remained severe. Additionally, his advanced age and concerns over his physical and cognitive stamina became a dominant political issue, ultimately leading him to end his 2024 re-election campaign.

Conclusion

Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president depends largely on the metrics being used.

For those who prioritize legislative achievements, public investments, job creation, and international diplomacy, Biden's term is viewed as highly successful and productive. For those who focus on personal finances, inflation, border security, and international crises, his presidency is viewed as a period of domestic hardship and global instability. Ultimately, his legacy will likely remain divided along these lines for decades to come.

Citations (11)

1gallup.comCompanies
gallup.com
Backs: “When Biden’s term ended in January 2025, Gallup reported his final job approval rating at 40%, with an overall average of 43% across his presidency. This polarized public sentiment stands in contrast to the views of presidential historians, who generally rate his legacy more favorably.”
2ballotpedia.orgEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.89
ballotpedia.org
Backs: “When Biden’s term ended in January 2025, Gallup reported his final job approval rating at 40%, with an overall average of 43% across his presidency. This polarized public sentiment stands in contrast to the views of presidential historians, who generally rate his legacy more favorably.”
3cfr.orgNonprofits and think tanks
cfr.org
Backs: “Major Legislative Successes: Despite thin congressional majorities, Biden signed several historic, often bipartisan bills into law. These included:”
4democratsabroad.orgNonprofits and think tanks
democratsabroad.org
Backs: “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021): A $1.2 trillion investment in roads, bridges, public transit, and clean water. The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): Aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing.”
5wikipedia.orgEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.83
wikipedia.org
Backs: “Economic Recovery and Job Growth: Under Biden, the U.S. experienced a robust post-pandemic recovery. His administration oversaw the creation of over 16 million jobs—the most of any single-term president—and unemployment dropped to historic, 70-year lows.”
6cbsnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.88
cbsnews.com
Backs: “He was widely praised by allies for rapidly organizing NATO to support Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion and for expanding the alliance to include Finland and Sweden. Judicial Appointments: Biden appointed a record number of diverse federal judges, including Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black female Supreme…”
7study.comNot yet classified
study.com
Backs: “Judicial Appointments: Biden appointed a record number of diverse federal judges, including Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black female Supreme Court Justice. High Scholar Rankings: In the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project survey, nearly 200 presidential scholars ranked Biden as the 14th-best president in U.S.”
8mediaite.comNews and mediaquality 0.65
mediaite.com
Backs: “High Scholar Rankings: In the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project survey, nearly 200 presidential scholars ranked Biden as the 14th-best president in U.S. history, praising his focus on preserving democratic institutions and his administrative stability. ---. The Case Against Biden (Key Criticisms)”
9uh.eduAcademic
uh.edu
Backs: “High Scholar Rankings: In the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project survey, nearly 200 presidential scholars ranked Biden as the 14th-best president in U.S. history, praising his focus on preserving democratic institutions and his administrative stability. ---. The Case Against Biden (Key Criticisms)”
10port.ac.ukAcademic
port.ac.uk
Backs: “Inflation and Cost of Living: The most pervasive criticism of Biden’s presidency was inflation, which peaked at a 40-year high of 9.1% in 2022. Critics argue that the massive federal spending in his relief packages flooded the economy with excess cash, driving up the cost of groceries, housing, and fuel.”
11millercenter.orgAcademic
millercenter.org
Backs: “Critics argue that the massive federal spending in his relief packages flooded the economy with excess cash, driving up the cost of groceries, housing, and fuel. While inflation eventually cooled, the cumulative rise in the cost of living left many Americans feeling financially worse off.”