Assessments of Joe Biden’s presidency are highly polarized, with opinions often aligning with political affiliations, economic priorities, and perspectives on foreign policy. Because his term involved significant legislative milestones alongside major domestic and international challenges, historians, political scientists, and the public view his legacy through different lenses.
Here is an overview of the key arguments from both supporters and critics regarding his presidency.
Arguments that Joe Biden was a successful president
Supporters and defenders of the Biden administration point to several major legislative achievements, economic indicators, and foreign policy actions as evidence of a successful presidency:
•Major Legislative Achievements: Biden signed several landmark pieces of legislation into law, often with bipartisan support. These include:
•The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021): A $1.2 trillion investment in the nation’s roads, bridges, public transit, clean water, and broadband access.
•The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): A law aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing and scientific research to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
•The Inflation Reduction Act (2022): A major climate and healthcare bill that authorized the federal government to negotiate prescription drug prices for Medicare, capped insulin costs for seniors, and funded extensive investments in green energy.
•The American Rescue Plan (2021): A $1.9 trillion stimulus package designed to facilitate economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
•The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (2022): The first major federal gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years.
•Job Creation and Economic Recovery: Under Biden’s term, the U.S. economy experienced significant job growth, with unemployment rates falling to historic lows. Supporters credit his policies with boosting manufacturing jobs and helping the country avoid a predicted recession following the pandemic.
•Restoring Traditional Foreign Alliances: Biden prioritized rebuilding international alliances, particularly NATO, which had been strained during the Trump administration. He rallied Western nations to support Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion and strengthened security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, such as AUKUS.
•Judicial and Administrative Diversity: Biden appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black female Supreme Court justice and appointed a record number of diverse federal judges. His administration also took steps toward progressive goals, such as canceling billions of dollars in student loan debt through targeted programs.
Arguments that Joe Biden was an unsuccessful president
Critics, including political opponents and some independent analysts, point to economic struggles, foreign policy setbacks, and border security issues as evidence of a failing presidency:
•Inflation and the Cost of Living: The Biden administration presided over the highest levels of inflation in 40 years, which peaked in mid-2022. Critics argue that massive federal spending, particularly the American Rescue Plan, overstimulated the economy and drove up the costs of food, gas, housing, and utilities, hurting American families.
•Immigration and Border Security: Critics frequently point to the southern U.S. border as a major failure. During Biden's term, the U.S. saw record-high numbers of migrant crossings, straining local resources in border states and major cities. Opponents argued that the administration's initial rollback of Trump-era immigration policies contributed to the crisis.
•The Afghanistan Withdrawal: The chaotic U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 is widely viewed as a low point of his presidency. The rapid Taliban takeover, the deaths of 13 U.S. service members in a bombing at Kabul airport, and the abandonment of many Afghan allies drew severe criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
•Global Instability: Critics argue that Biden's foreign policy failed to deter international conflict. They point to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the escalation of conflict in the Middle East following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel as signs of weakened American deterrence on the global stage.
•Unfulfilled Promises and Concerns Over Age: Progressive Democrats sometimes expressed frustration that Biden was unable to codify abortion rights, pass voting rights legislation, or secure a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants due to a divided Congress. Additionally, persistent concerns about his age, cognitive fitness, and low public approval ratings ultimately led to his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
Conclusion
Whether Joe Biden is considered a "good" president depends largely on which aspects of his tenure are prioritized. Supporters view him as a highly consequential president who passed historic, long-term investments in the American economy, climate, and infrastructure while navigating a deeply divided nation. Critics view his presidency as marked by economic hardship due to inflation, instability abroad, and a failure to secure the nation's borders.