Was Joe Biden a good president?

No objective "yes" or "no" exists—evaluations of presidents are inherently subjective, depending on one's priorities (e.g., economic growth and jobs vs. inflation and costs of living; climate action and social programs vs. border security and fiscal restraint; alliances and Ukraine support vs. Afghanistan withdrawal and Middle East handling). Joe Biden served one term (2021–2025). His record includes major legislative wins and a strong post-COVID economic recovery by some metrics, alongside high inflation, elevated illegal immigration, a chaotic Afghanistan exit, persistently low approval ratings, and concerns about his age and capacity later in the term.[1]

Public Opinion and Approval Ratings

Biden entered office with Gallup approval around 57%. It declined after the Afghanistan withdrawal and amid rising inflation/gas prices, remaining mostly in the high 30s to low 40s for much of his term. His average job approval was 42.2% (Gallup), the second-lowest among post-WWII presidents (just above Trump’s first-term average). His final Gallup rating was about 40% (approve) / 54% (disapprove). Other aggregates put the end-of-term figure lower (mid-to-high 30s). Ratings were extremely polarized, with strong Democratic support and near-floor Republican numbers.[2]

Many Americans cited inflation, the border, and perceptions of leadership/age as key drags. He did not seek re-election in 2024 after a poor debate performance and party pressure; Donald Trump won the election.

Economy

Biden inherited a COVID-distressed economy (unemployment ~6.4% in early 2021). Key outcomes:

Critics highlight the cost-of-living hit to households; supporters emphasize the soft landing, job quality/quantity, and avoidance of deeper downturns.

Major Legislation and Domestic Policy

Despite narrow congressional margins, Biden signed significant bills:

He rejoined the Paris Agreement and pursued equity-focused executive actions. Judicial appointments were numerous and diverse, including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Unfinished or failed items included broader Build Back Better social spending, federal abortion codification after Dobbs, and some student debt plans.

Foreign Policy and Security

Immigration and Border

Southwest border encounters reached record highs (multiples of prior recent years; cumulative millions of encounters/apprehensions/gotaways under Biden, with significant releases/paroles into the U.S.). This strained cities, resources, and politics. Numbers dropped sharply later in the term after executive actions, asylum restrictions, and Mexican cooperation, and fell further under the subsequent administration. Critics called it a crisis of deterrence and enforcement; the administration pointed to global migration pressures, Title 42 expiration effects, and later policy shifts.[7]

Other Factors and Historians’ Early Views

Age and visible decline became major issues by 2024, affecting perceptions of leadership and leading to his exit from the race. Special counsel reports and public moments fueled cognitive concerns. Scandals involving family (e.g., Hunter Biden) were polarizing but did not dominate all coverage.

Early historian surveys (e.g., one ranking him ~14th overall pre-full-term end) gave credit for COVID exit, infrastructure/climate laws, Ukraine, and restoring norms after Trump. Later “first draft” assessments are more mixed-to-critical: substantial domestic achievements overshadowed by inflation, immigration, Afghanistan, Gaza, physical decline, poor messaging of wins, and the political outcome enabling Trump’s return. One-term status and polarization limit higher rankings for now; full historical judgment will take decades.[8]

Bottom Line

Biden delivered consequential legislation on infrastructure, semiconductors, climate, and pandemic recovery, oversaw robust job growth and a soft economic landing by some measures, and strengthened aspects of the Western alliance. These are tangible positives. Persistent high inflation’s pocketbook impact, record border pressures for much of the term, the Afghanistan debacle, low and polarized popularity, and questions about capacity form the core of the negative case.

Whether he was a “good” president hinges on weighting these (plus values on issues like abortion, energy, crime, or cultural matters). Supporters see a highly effective one-term president who achieved more domestically than many two-termers amid tough conditions. Critics see mismanagement on core voter concerns that contributed to electoral defeat and a diminished legacy. Data supports elements of both narratives; reasonable people disagree based on priorities. Long-term effects of the IRA, infrastructure spending, CHIPS, and foreign commitments will further shape the verdict.