Was Joe Biden a good president?
I can share some facts and perspectives on Biden's presidency, but I should be upfront that "good" is fundamentally a value judgment that depends on your priorities, political values, and what you weigh as important. I can't give you an objective verdict, but I can outline key aspects of his record so you can form your own assessment.Whether Biden was a "good" president really depends on your values and priorities—it's a judgment call, not a factual question I can settle for you. But here's a balanced picture of his record so you can weigh it yourself:
Notable Accomplishments
Economic recovery & legislation:
Foreign policy:
Other:
Notable Criticisms & Failures
Perception vs. reality gap: Despite the economic gains, public sentiment ranged from underwhelming to overt hostility, with more than half disapproving of his handling of the economy—largely driven by inflation.
Foreign policy stumbles:
Immigration: Critics on the right claimed that enforcement weakened under Biden's leadership, while those on the left contended that humanitarian reforms were insufficient to meet the sheer scale of migration
The 2024 decision: Many analysts consider Biden's decision to run for re-election in 2024, given his physical and mental condition, arguably his biggest mistake, which caused a crisis within the Democratic Party and increased Trump's chances of returning to power
Public & Historical Assessment
Polling suggests a fairly negative public verdict so far: Gallup found 54% of U.S. adults think Biden will be remembered as a below average or poor president; 19% say he'll be remembered as outstanding or above average and 26% think he will be viewed as average. His job approval averaged low as well—his average job approval rating of 42% across his term suggests he would be ranked well below average by the US public right now.
That said, historians caution against snap judgments. As one professor put it: "I think it is likely Joe Biden's legacy will be assessed far more generously than some would have it today... His quick action upon taking office to address the COVID-19 pandemic... contributed to a 'first 100 days' more robust in achievement than perhaps any president since FDR."
Bottom line: Biden's presidency is often described as a genuine paradox—substantial legislative achievements paired with political failures that overshadowed them. As one outlet summarized, he leaves office as paradoxically, one of the best and worst presidents to occupy the Oval Office. Where you land on "good" vs. "bad" will likely hinge on how much weight you give to legislative accomplishments versus crisis management, and to economic data versus lived experience of inflation.
Citations (16)
- Biden's legacy: Historians weigh in on how the 46th president will be remembered
Source excerpt: “The American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion relief bill that provided stimulus checks directly to Americans, support for state and local governments and...”
- What did Joe Biden accomplish as president? | The Week
Source excerpt: “Indeed, on the economic front, the Biden White House has notched a number of historic victories, particularly when it comes to adding jobs to the U.S....”
- What did Joe Biden accomplish as president? | The Week
Source excerpt: “In January 2023, the country's · unemployment rate dropped to its lowest point in more than half a century. ”
- The Presidency of Joseph R. Biden: A First Historical Assessment | Department of History
Source excerpt: “His domestic legislative achievements were hailed by some as the most momentous of any American presidency since the Great Society while his foreign p...”
- Biden’s Legacy: Major Accomplishments but Unfinished Business | Council on Foreign Relations
Source excerpt: “Abroad, Biden restored the United States as the anchor of the free world while leading the successful effort to help Ukraine defend itself against Rus...”
- What might President Biden's legacy be?
Source excerpt: “His steadfast support for Ukraine and NATO expansion, at a time of creeping autocracy in Europe, was heroic.”
- What might President Biden's legacy be?
Source excerpt: “Biden got more federal judges confirmed than any president in a single term (save Jimmy Carter). ”
- What did Joe Biden accomplish as president? | The Week
Source excerpt: “In spite of Biden's robust gains, public sentiment around the administration's economic achievements has ranged from underwhelming to overt hostility....”
- Joe Biden’s legacy: four successes and four failures
Source excerpt: “The chaotic nature of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan will be seen as one of Biden’s failures. ”
- Joe Biden’s Presidency: Reviewing the Good and the Bad
Source excerpt: “Gaza: The biggest stain on Joe Biden’s legacy as president will forever be his abdication of moral leadership as Israel indiscriminately bombed the Ga...”
- Joe Biden's Presidency | Policies, Accomplishments & Challenges | Study.com
Source excerpt: “Critics on the right claimed that enforcement weakened under Biden's leadership, while those on the left contended that humanitarian reforms were...”
- Biden's Legacy: Achievements and Failures of a President - Modern Diplomacy
Source excerpt: “... Biden’s decision to run for re-election in 2024, given his physical and mental condition, was arguably his biggest mistake. This decision caused a...”
- Biden's legacy: Historians weigh in on how the 46th president will be remembered - ABC News
Source excerpt: “Gallup found 54% of U.S. adults think Biden will be remembered as a below average or poor president; 19% say he'll be remembered as outstanding o...”
- Joe Biden’s legacy: four successes and four failures
Source excerpt: “His average job approval rating of 42% across his term suggests he would be ranked well below average by the US public right now. ”
- Biden's legacy: Historians weigh in on how the 46th president will be remembered
Source excerpt: “COVID recovery and legislative wins "I think it is likely Joe Biden's legacy will be assessed far more generously than some would have it today," sa...”
- Joe Biden’s Presidency: Reviewing the Good and the Bad
Source excerpt: “A seasoned dealmaker from his career in the Senate, Biden then began racking up a prodigious legislative record — including historic investments in in...”