Was Joe Biden a good president?

Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president depends heavily on which values and priorities you're using to judge, since reasonable people disagree sharply on this. Let me lay out different perspectives rather than pushing one conclusion.

Arguments made in his favor:

•Legislative achievements: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS Act, Inflation Reduction Act (climate/healthcare provisions), bipartisan gun safety law

•Economic recovery post-COVID, historically low unemployment, though paired with inflation

•Rebuilding alliances like NATO, coordinating Western response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine

•Judicial and administrative appointments favored by Democrats

•Steadier, more conventional governing style compared to predecessor

Arguments made against:

•Inflation surge in 2021-2023 hit consumers hard, especially early on

•Handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal was widely criticized, including by allies

•Border/immigration policy drew criticism from multiple directions

•Concerns about his age and mental sharpness became a major issue, especially after the 2024 debate performance

•Some progressives felt he didn't go far enough on issues like student debt or climate

•Foreign policy critiques, especially regarding Gaza, from both directions

Broader context:
Presidential legacies also get reassessed over time as historians gain distance from the immediate political moment. Biden's low approval ratings for much of his term suggest many Americans were unsatisfied, though approval ratings don't always track with longer-term historical assessment.

What aspects are you most interested in digging into? I can go deeper on economic policy, foreign policy, domestic legislation, or something else.

Was Joe Biden a good president?

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