Was Joe Biden a good president?

Evaluating whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is complex, as assessments of his presidency (which spanned from January 20, 2021, to January 20, 2025) vary widely. Opinions often diverge sharply between political scholars, who focus on legislative and historical achievements, and the general public, who are highly influenced by immediate economic conditions and pocketbook issues.

To understand his legacy, it is helpful to look at both the arguments in favor of his presidency and the primary criticisms leveled against it.

Arguments in Favor of His Presidency (The Successes)

Supporters and presidential historians often rate Joe Biden highly, pointing to a series of significant legislative victories and efforts to stabilize the country following the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6 Capitol riot.

•Major Legislative Accomplishments: Despite holding exceptionally narrow majorities in Congress, Biden successfully passed several landmark, often bipartisan, bills:

•The American Rescue Plan (2021): A $1.9 trillion stimulus package aimed at accelerating COVID-19 vaccinations and providing financial relief to families and businesses.

•The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021): A historic $1.2 trillion investment in the nation’s roads, bridges, public transit, clean water, and broadband access.

•The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): Aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing of semiconductors and scientific research to compete with China.

•The Inflation Reduction Act (2022): The largest federal investment in green energy and climate change initiatives in U.S. history, which also capped insulin costs for seniors at $35 a month.

•Economic Recovery and Job Growth: Under the Biden administration, the U.S. experienced one of the strongest post-pandemic economic recoveries among G7 nations. His term saw historically low unemployment rates (breaking a 70-year record) and the creation of over 16 million jobs—the most of any single-term president.

•Rebuilding Global Alliances: Biden restored traditional foreign policy norms. He rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, reaffirmed U.S. commitment to NATO, and successfully rallied a global coalition to support Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion.

•Healthcare Expansion: The administration strengthened the Affordable Care Act (ACA), resulting in record-high numbers of Americans obtaining affordable health insurance.

Arguments Against His Presidency (The Criticisms)

Critics, primarily Republicans and many independent voters, argue that Biden's policies led to economic instability, global unrest, and domestic crises.

•Inflation and Cost of Living: Although job growth was strong, Biden's presidency was heavily marred by inflation, which peaked at over 9% in 2022 and averaged 5.4% across his term. Critics blamed his massive federal spending bills (such as the American Rescue Plan) for injecting too much money into the economy, driving up the costs of food, gas, and housing. For many Americans, wage growth did not keep up with the cost of living.

•The Southern Border and Immigration: Biden faced immense criticism from both conservatives and moderate Democrats over his handling of the U.S.–Mexico border. A historic surge in migrant crossings strained local resources in major cities and became a central point of political vulnerability.

•Foreign Policy Crises:

•The Afghanistan Withdrawal (2021): The chaotic and deadly U.S. military exit from Afghanistan in August 2021 resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, left thousands of allies behind, and allowed the Taliban to rapidly retake control. This event marked a permanent, downward turning point in Biden's public approval ratings.

•Global Instability: Critics argue that the outbreak of major wars in Europe (Ukraine) and the Middle East (Gaza) occurred under his watch, demonstrating a perceived weakness in U.S. deterrence. Additionally, Biden’s support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza deeply fractured his own political base, drawing anger from progressives and Arab-Americans.

•Age, Fitness, and the 2024 Campaign: As the oldest president in U.S. history, Biden’s age (82 when leaving office) was a constant source of public concern. Persistent questions about his cognitive and physical fitness culminated in a highly criticized debate performance in June 2024, leading him to withdraw from the presidential race.

How History vs. the Public Views His Legacy

The assessment of Joe Biden's presidency is marked by a stark contrast between scholars and the electorate:

•The Scholars' Verdict: In rankings of presidential greatness conducted by political scientists and historians (such as the Presidential Greatness Project Expert Survey), Biden has been rated highly—often landing in the top third of all U.S. presidents (around #14). Scholars frequently praise his legislative productivity under difficult circumstances and his role as a stabilizing force after a period of intense political polarization.

•The Public's Verdict: When Biden prepared to leave office in January 2025, public sentiment was far less favorable. His average job approval rating sat in the low 40s. A Gallup poll around that time revealed that 54% of Americans believed history would remember him as a "below average" or "poor" president, largely driven by dissatisfaction over inflation, immigration, and foreign conflicts.

Ultimately, whether Joe Biden was a "good" president depends on which aspects of his tenure are prioritized. Those who look at massive, long-term investments in infrastructure, technology, and climate greening tend to view him positively; those who focus on the immediate financial strains of inflation, border challenges, and geopolitical instability tend to view his presidency as a failure.

Citations (7)

1wikipedia.orgEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.83
wikipedia.org
Backs: “Evaluating whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is complex, as assessments of his presidency (which spanned from January 20, 2021, to January 20, 2025) vary widely.”
2fox9.comNot yet classified
fox9.com
Backs: “Opinions often diverge sharply between political scholars, who focus on legislative and historical achievements, and the general public, who are highly influenced by immediate economic conditions and pocketbook issues.”
3port.ac.ukAcademic
port.ac.uk
Backs: “Opinions often diverge sharply between political scholars, who focus on legislative and historical achievements, and the general public, who are highly influenced by immediate economic conditions and pocketbook issues.”
4millercenter.orgAcademic
millercenter.org
Backs: “Supporters and presidential historians often rate Joe Biden highly, pointing to a series of significant legislative victories and efforts to stabilize the country following the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6 Capitol riot.”
5cfr.orgNonprofits and think tanks
cfr.org
Backs: “Major Legislative Accomplishments: Despite holding exceptionally narrow majorities in Congress, Biden successfully passed several landmark, often bipartisan, bills:”
6youtube.comSocial media and video
youtube.com
Backs: “Foreign Policy Crises: The Afghanistan Withdrawal (2021): The chaotic and deadly U.S. military exit from Afghanistan in August 2021 resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, left thousands of allies behind, and allowed the Taliban to rapidly retake control. This event marked a permanent, downward turning…”
7kpbs.orgNot yet classified
kpbs.org
Backs: “The Scholars' Verdict: In rankings of presidential greatness conducted by political scientists and historians (such as the Presidential Greatness Project Expert Survey), Biden has been rated highly—often landing in the top third of all U.S. presidents (around #14). Scholars frequently praise his legislative…”