Joe Biden was the 46th President of the United States from 2021 to 2025. Whether he was a "good" president is subjective and depends on political perspective and what metrics you prioritize. Here is how his presidency is generally evaluated by supporters and critics:
Accomplishments cited by supporters:
•Major Legislation: Signed the American Rescue Plan in 2021 for COVID-19 relief, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which included climate, healthcare, and tax provisions. He also signed the PACT Act expanding benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits.
•Economy and Jobs: The economy added over 16 million jobs during his term and unemployment fell to historic lows, remaining under 4% for an extended period. Supporters credit his policies for a strong post-pandemic recovery.
•Foreign Policy: Rallied NATO and allies to support Ukraine after Russia's invasion in 2022, rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, and strengthened alliances in Asia.
•Other Actions: Appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, passed the first major gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years with the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and oversaw efforts to lower costs for some prescription drugs and cap insulin costs for Medicare recipients.
Criticisms cited by opponents:
•Economy and Inflation: Inflation reached a 40-year high of 9.1% in 2022, contributing to a high cost of living. Critics attributed it to excessive federal spending under the American Rescue Plan, while economists point to a mix of factors including supply chain disruptions and energy prices.
•Foreign Policy: The withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 was widely criticized for its chaotic execution, including the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and the rapid collapse of the Afghan government to the Taliban.
•Immigration and Border: Critics pointed to record numbers of migrant encounters at the southern border during much of his term.
•Age and Approval: Concerns about his age and fitness for office grew throughout his term, culminating in his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race after a widely criticized debate performance. His average approval rating was among the lowest for a recent president, ending in the high 30s to low 40s in most national polls.
By Historical and Polling Measures:
Historians' early rankings have been mixed. For example, in a 2024 survey of historians by Siena College, Biden was ranked 14th out of 45 presidents. Public polling consistently showed a polarized country, with Democrats viewing his presidency much more favorably than Republicans and independents more divided.
In general, those who prioritize legislative accomplishments, alliance-based foreign policy, and post-pandemic job growth tend to view his presidency more positively, while those who prioritize inflation, border security, and the Afghanistan withdrawal tend to view it more negatively.