Was Joe Biden a good president?
No objective yes/no answer exists, as "good president" is inherently subjective and depends on one's values, priorities (e.g., economic growth vs. inflation control, alliances vs. non-intervention, border security vs. humanitarian pathways), and weighting of short-term vs. long-term outcomes. Joe Biden (2021–2025) was a one-term president who left office with historically low average approval ratings and whose party lost the 2024 election. Assessments vary widely by ideology and metrics.[1]
Here is a balanced overview of major facts, achievements, and criticisms drawn from economic data, legislation, foreign policy outcomes, public opinion, and contemporary analyses.
Public Opinion and Historical Context
Biden’s Gallup average approval was around 42%, starting in the mid-to-high 50s in early 2021 and ending near 40%. This is below average historically (comparable to Trump’s first-term average of ~41%) and reflects deep polarization. Highs reached ~57%; lows dipped to the mid-30s.[1]
Mid-presidency surveys of historians/political scientists sometimes ranked him in the top third (e.g., ~14th out of 45 in one 2024 expert poll), citing legislative output and post-Trump stabilization, though later events (debate performance, drop-out, election outcome) likely lowered subsequent views. He is often described as a consequential one-term president rather than a transformative “great” one.[2]
Major Achievements
Domestic legislation (passed with narrow congressional margins):
Economy (strong recovery from COVID shock, with caveats):
Foreign policy:
COVID vaccine rollout and distribution accelerated under his watch after initial Trump-era development.
Major Criticisms and Shortcomings
Economy and costs:
Border and immigration:
Afghanistan withdrawal (August 2021):
Other foreign policy:
Leadership and politics:
Bottom Line
Biden oversaw a strong legislative record for a president with slim majorities, a solid post-pandemic economic rebound with historic job and investment gains, climate/infrastructure down payments, and alliance rebuilding—especially notable given constraints. These make a case for effectiveness on progressive domestic priorities and certain international goals.[11]
However, persistent high prices, the border surge, the messy Afghanistan exit, Gaza handling, low sustained popularity, and the ultimate political repudiation (via his successor’s loss) form a strong counter-case, particularly for those prioritizing cost-of-living, security, or executive competence/vitality.[12]
Like most presidencies, results were mixed: significant accomplishments alongside clear failures and trade-offs. Long-term legacy (e.g., durability of IRA investments, Ukraine outcome, manufacturing resurgence) will depend on successors and future events. Reasonable people weigh the evidence differently based on what they value most.
Citations (12)
- https://www.davemanuel.com/us-presidential-approval-ratings-history.php
Backs: “Joe Biden (2021–2025) was a one-term president who left office with historically low average approval ratings and whose party lost the 2024 election. Assessments vary widely by ideology and metrics.”
- https://www.axios.com/2024/02/19/presidents-survey-trump-ranks-last-biden-14th
Backs: “He is often described as a consequential one-term president rather than a transformative “great” one.”
- https://www.cfr.org/articles/bidens-legacy-major-accomplishments-unfinished-business
Backs: “American Rescue Plan (2021): ~$1.9 trillion COVID relief, including direct payments, expanded unemployment, child tax credit (temporarily cut child poverty significantly), and vaccine support.”
- https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/joe-biden-president-good-bad-legacy-1235240727/
Backs: “Largest U.S. climate/clean energy investment (~$369 billion+ initially, with larger projected impacts), Medicare drug price negotiation, insulin caps, and ACA subsidy extensions. It spurred manufacturing and green energy projects.”
- https://factcheck.org/2024/10/bidens-numbers-2024-pre-election-update
Backs: “Unemployment fell from ~6.7% near inauguration to ~4.1% by end.”
- https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/cea/written-materials/2024/10/30/gdp-issue-brief/
Backs: “Robust real GDP growth (cumulative gains exceeding many forecasts; strong post-pandemic recovery relative to peers). Stock markets (e.g., S&P 500) posted large gains.”
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/us-politics/joe-biden-successes-failures-as-us-president-b1204148.html
Backs: “Real wages showed later gains for many workers after initial lag.”
- https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/what-was-joe-biden-doctrine-leadership-hegemony-jessica-mathews
Backs: “Ended U.S. combat involvement in Afghanistan (America’s longest war), completing a process started under Trump. Evacuated ~120,000+ people in a large airlift.”
- https://homeland.house.gov/2024/10/24/startling-stats-factsheet-fiscal-year-2024-ends-with-nearly-3-million-inadmissible-encounters-10-8-million-total-encounters-since-fy2021/
Backs: “Critics blame policy signals/reversals of Trump-era measures; supporters note global migration pressures, legal pathway expansions (e.g., parole programs, CBP One), and high deportations in later periods.”
- https://apnews.com/article/house-republicans-afghanistan-withdrawal-kabul-abbey-gate-cdf9578d3fef6201ee44fafb5f5d5acd
Backs: “Biden adjusted the timeline but faced bipartisan criticism for planning/execution.”
- https://www.ms.now/opinion/msnbc-opinion/biden-presidential-record-legacy-rcna184617
Backs: “These make a case for effectiveness on progressive domestic priorities and certain international goals.”
- https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/blogs/security-and-risk/joe-bidens-legacy-four-successes-and-four-failures
Backs: “However, persistent high prices, the border surge, the messy Afghanistan exit, Gaza handling, low sustained popularity, and the ultimate political repudiation (via his successor’s loss) form a strong counter-case, particularly for those prioritizing cost-of-living, security, or executive competence/vitality.”