Was Joe Biden a good president?

Evaluating the presidency of Joe Biden (2021–2025) is a complex task, and whether he was a "good" president depends largely on the criteria, political perspectives, and priorities of the person asking.

Historians, political scientists, and the public generally divide his single-term presidency into notable legislative achievements and strong job growth on one side, and persistent inflation, border security challenges, and foreign policy crises on the other.

Below is an overview of the primary arguments made by both his supporters and his critics.

The Case for a Successful Presidency (The Pros)

Supporters and allies argue that Biden was a highly consequential president who passed historic, long-lasting legislation despite holding razor-thin margins in Congress.

•Major Legislative Achievements: Biden signed several landmark, bipartisan, and major pieces of legislation into law:

•The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Allocated $1.2 trillion to rebuild America’s roads, bridges, public transit, water systems, and broadband.

•The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): Recognized as the largest federal investment in climate change mitigation and clean energy in U.S. history, while also allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and capping insulin costs for seniors.

•The CHIPS and Science Act: Aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing, particularly in the semiconductor industry, to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

•The PACT Act: Expanded healthcare access for millions of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.

•Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery: Under Biden’s term, the U.S. experienced one of the strongest post-COVID economic recoveries among G7 nations. Unemployment hit historic lows, and over 16 million jobs were created during his term, setting a record for a single-term president.

•Strengthening International Alliances: Biden moved away from the "America First" isolationism of his predecessor, rebuilding ties with traditional allies, strengthening and expanding NATO (by welcoming Finland and Sweden), and organizing international financial and military support for Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion.

•Healthcare and Social Representation: The administration expanded the Affordable Care Act (ACA), driving enrollment to record highs of nearly 25 million people. Biden also appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black female Supreme Court Justice, and served alongside Kamala Harris, the first female and minority Vice President.

The Case against His Presidency (The Cons)

Critics, political opponents, and dissatisfied voters point to significant domestic and foreign policy challenges that occurred under his watch, arguing that his policies worsened the country's trajectory.

•Inflation and Cost of Living: Although unemployment was low, Biden's presidency was plagued by high inflation, which peaked at 9.1% in mid-2022 and averaged 5.4% annually across his term. Critics argue that his massive early spending packages, particularly the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, overstimulated the economy and drove up the cost of everyday goods, housing, and fuel.

•Immigration and Border Security: The southern border experienced unprecedented surges of migrants during Biden's term. Critics blamed his administration for rolling back stricter Trump-era border policies, arguing the administration failed to maintain border security. Even some progressives and city mayors criticized the administration for not handling the logistical and humanitarian strain of incoming migrants effectively.

•Foreign Policy Setbacks:

•Afghanistan Withdrawal (2021): The chaotic execution of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan led to the immediate return of the Taliban, the tragic deaths of 13 U.S. service members in a bombing at Kabul airport, and left many American allies stranded. This moment severely damaged Biden's approval ratings, which never fully recovered.

•The War in Gaza: Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war alienated multiple political groups. Progressives criticized him for providing unconditional military support to Israel despite heavy civilian casualties in Gaza, while conservatives criticized him for being too soft on Israel's enemies (like Iran).

•Political Divisions and the 2024 Election: Biden campaigned in 2020 on a promise to "heal the soul of the nation" and bridge political divides. However, the country remained deeply polarized. Critics also argue that his determination to run for re-election in 2024 despite clear signs of age-related decline, and his eventual late withdrawal from the race in July 2024, fractured the Democratic Party and ultimately paved the way for Donald Trump's return to the presidency.

Conclusion

Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president depends on what a person values most.

To his supporters, he was a steady, highly productive leader who navigated the nation out of a once-in-a-century pandemic, enacted historic investments in the nation's future, and restored international alliances.

To his critics, he was a weak leader under whose watch Americans suffered from crippling inflation, the southern border was overwhelmed, and global stability deteriorated.

Ultimately, his legacy will continue to be debated by historians, especially regarding how much responsibility his administration bears for the economic and global crises of the early 2020s versus how much it accomplished in spite of them.

Citations (7)

1port.ac.ukAcademic
port.ac.uk
Backs: “Evaluating the presidency of Joe Biden (2021–2025) is a complex task, and whether he was a "good" president depends largely on the criteria, political perspectives, and priorities of the person asking.”
2unimelb.edu.auAcademic
unimelb.edu.au
Backs: “Evaluating the presidency of Joe Biden (2021–2025) is a complex task, and whether he was a "good" president depends largely on the criteria, political perspectives, and priorities of the person asking.”
3princeton.eduAcademic
princeton.edu
Backs: “Evaluating the presidency of Joe Biden (2021–2025) is a complex task, and whether he was a "good" president depends largely on the criteria, political perspectives, and priorities of the person asking.”
4millercenter.orgAcademic
millercenter.org
Backs: “Historians, political scientists, and the public generally divide his single-term presidency into notable legislative achievements and strong job growth on one side, and persistent inflation, border security challenges, and foreign policy crises on the other.”
5cfr.orgNonprofits and think tanks
cfr.org
Backs: “Supporters and allies argue that Biden was a highly consequential president who passed historic, long-lasting legislation despite holding razor-thin margins in Congress.”
6wikipedia.orgEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.83
wikipedia.org
Backs: “Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery: Under Biden’s term, the U.S. experienced one of the strongest post-COVID economic recoveries among G7 nations. Unemployment hit historic lows, and over 16 million jobs were created during his term, setting a record for a single-term president.”
7study.comNot yet classified
study.com
Backs: “Biden also appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black female Supreme Court Justice, and served alongside Kamala Harris, the first female and minority Vice President.”