Was Joe Biden a good president?

Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is a subject of ongoing debate among historians, political analysts, and the public. His single-term presidency (2021–2025) is characterized by a stark divide between significant domestic legislative achievements and steep challenges in foreign policy, inflation, and public approval.

How his presidency is judged depends heavily on which metrics and viewpoints are prioritized.

Arguments That He Was a Successful President (His Achievements)

Supporters and many presidential historians view Biden’s term as highly consequential, pointing to a robust legislative record and steady leadership through a period of national recovery.

•Major Legislative Successes: Despite holding razor-thin majorities in Congress, Biden passed some of the most significant domestic investment bills in modern U.S. history:

•The American Rescue Plan (2021): A $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package that accelerated vaccine distribution and provided direct financial aid to families.

•The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021): A $1.2 trillion investment to repair roads, bridges, public transit, and expand broadband internet.

•The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): A bill directing billions of dollars to boost domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips.

•The Inflation Reduction Act (2022): The largest federal investment in climate change mitigation and clean energy in U.S. history, which also allowed Medicare to negotiate some prescription drug prices.

•Economic Recovery: Under his watch, the U.S. experienced a rapid economic rebound from the pandemic. The economy broke records for low unemployment, generated over 16 million jobs, and saw job creation every single month of his term.

•Healthcare Expansion: The Biden administration successfully expanded the Affordable Care Act (ACA), nearly doubling the number of Americans with access to subsidized healthcare.

•Strengthening Alliances: Following the "America First" foreign policy of his predecessor, Biden repaired relationships with traditional Western allies and revitalized NATO. He marshaled a massive international coalition to support Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion.

•Historical Rankings: In surveys of presidential scholars, such as the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project, Biden was ranked 14th out of 45 presidents, reflecting high regard among academics.

Arguments That He Was an Unsuccessful President (His Failures)

Critics, political opponents, and a significant portion of the electorate argue that his presidency was marred by economic pain at home and instability abroad, which ultimately paved the way for his party’s defeat in 2024.

•Inflation and Cost of Living: Although the U.S. economy grew, inflation spiked to a 40-year high, peaking at over 9% in 2022 and averaging 5.4% over his term. Critics blame his massive government spending packages (like the American Rescue Plan) for overheating the economy. High prices for food, gas, and housing severely damaged household confidence and eroded any positive public perception of his economic achievements.

•Border Security and Immigration: The southern U.S. border faced unprecedented surges of illegal crossings during his presidency. Critics accused the administration of failing to secure the border, and even many of his supporters viewed his immigration policy as reactive, chaotic, and lacking a clear strategy.

•Foreign Policy Crises:

•The Afghanistan Withdrawal (2021): The chaotic and rapid evacuation of U.S. forces in August 2021 resulted in the immediate return of the Taliban and the deaths of 13 U.S. service members. It was widely seen as a major blow to the administration’s claim to foreign policy competence.

•The Middle East: Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war drew intense criticism from multiple sides. Progressives and international allies criticized him for his staunch military and diplomatic support of Israel despite the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while conservatives argued he did not project enough strength to deter regional adversaries.

•Age, Re-election Bid, and the 2024 Election: Biden's insistence on running for re-election in 2024 despite visible signs of physical and cognitive aging became a central issue for voters. Following a disastrous debate performance in June 2024, he dropped out of the race in July, passing the nomination to Kamala Harris. Critics argue his delay in stepping aside left his party with insufficient time to mount a winning campaign, directly contributing to Donald Trump's return to the presidency.

Conclusion

Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president depends on what is evaluated.

If judged by legislative and policy output, he was a highly consequential leader who passed historic investments in infrastructure, technology, and green energy while managing the tail-end of a global pandemic.

However, if judged by public satisfaction and political outcomes, his presidency was heavily weighed down by inflation, border challenges, foreign policy crises, and his own age. His term ended with consistently low public approval ratings (hovering around 39% to 42%), and his legacy remains deeply polarized.

Citations (11)

1taylortailored.co.ukNot yet classified
taylortailored.co.uk
Backs: “His single-term presidency (2021–2025) is characterized by a stark divide between significant domestic legislative achievements and steep challenges in foreign policy, inflation, and public approval.”
2theguardian.comNews and mediaquality 0.75
theguardian.com
Backs: “Supporters and many presidential historians view Biden’s term as highly consequential, pointing to a robust legislative record and steady leadership through a period of national recovery. Major Legislative Successes: Despite holding razor-thin majorities in Congress, Biden passed some of the most significant domestic…”
3cfr.orgNonprofits and think tanks
cfr.org
Backs: “Major Legislative Successes: Despite holding razor-thin majorities in Congress, Biden passed some of the most significant domestic investment bills in modern U.S. history: The American Rescue Plan (2021): A $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package that accelerated vaccine distribution and provided direct financial aid to…”
4wikipedia.orgEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.83
wikipedia.org
Backs: “The American Rescue Plan (2021): A $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package that accelerated vaccine distribution and provided direct financial aid to families. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021): A $1.2 trillion investment to repair roads, bridges, public transit, and expand broadband internet.”
5indiatimes.comNews and mediaquality 0.39
indiatimes.com
Backs: “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021): A $1.2 trillion investment to repair roads, bridges, public transit, and expand broadband internet. The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): A bill directing billions of dollars to boost domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips.”
6unimelb.edu.auAcademic
unimelb.edu.au
Backs: “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021): A $1.2 trillion investment to repair roads, bridges, public transit, and expand broadband internet. The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): A bill directing billions of dollars to boost domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips.”
7port.ac.ukAcademic
port.ac.uk
Backs: “The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): A bill directing billions of dollars to boost domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips. The Inflation Reduction Act (2022): The largest federal investment in climate change mitigation and clean energy in U.S.”
8democratsabroad.orgNonprofits and think tanks
democratsabroad.org
Backs: “The Inflation Reduction Act (2022): The largest federal investment in climate change mitigation and clean energy in U.S. history, which also allowed Medicare to negotiate some prescription drug prices. Economic Recovery: Under his watch, the U.S.”
9moderndiplomacy.euNews and media
moderndiplomacy.eu
Backs: “Economic Recovery: Under his watch, the U.S. experienced a rapid economic rebound from the pandemic. The economy broke records for low unemployment, generated over 16 million jobs, and saw job creation every single month of his term.”
10elpais.comNews and mediaquality 0.79
elpais.com
Backs: “Historical Rankings: In surveys of presidential scholars, such as the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project, Biden was ranked 14th out of 45 presidents, reflecting high regard among academics.”
11millercenter.orgAcademic
millercenter.org
Backs: “Critics blame his massive government spending packages (like the American Rescue Plan) for overheating the economy. High prices for food, gas, and housing severely damaged household confidence and eroded any positive public perception of his economic achievements.”