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Claude Sonnet 5Sep 8, 2026anthropic/claude-sonnet-5-20260630
Was Joe Biden a good president?
Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president depends heavily on what you value politically, so I'll try to lay out substantive points on different sides rather than push a verdict.
Areas often cited as accomplishments:
•Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS Act, and Inflation Reduction Act—significant legislation on infrastructure, domestic semiconductor production, and clean energy/climate spending
•Job growth and low unemployment during much of his term
•COVID-19 vaccine distribution scaled up early in his term
•Strengthened NATO alliances, especially in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
•Student loan relief efforts (though partially blocked by courts)
•Judicial appointments, including Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court
Common criticisms:
•Inflation surged in 2021-2023, straining household budgets, though this was a global phenomenon tied partly to pandemic disruptions and stimulus spending
•Immigration and border policy drew criticism from multiple directions—some said enforcement was too lax, others said policies were still too restrictive
•The Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021 was widely criticized for its execution, including the chaotic evacuation and Taliban takeover
•Age and mental acuity became major public concerns, especially after his debate performance in 2024, ultimately contributing to him dropping his reelection bid
•Handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict drew criticism from multiple sides—some felt he was too supportive of Israel, others felt he didn't do enough to pressure for a ceasefire
Broader context:
Historians and political scientists will debate this for decades, and assessments often shift over time as long-term effects of policies become clearer. Public opinion polls during his presidency showed relatively low approval ratings for much of his term, though specific policies sometimes polled better than his overall image.
What aspects are you most interested in digging into—economic policy, foreign policy, something else?