Was Joe Biden a good president?

Both sidesSays it is contested

Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is a subject of ongoing debate among historians, economists, and the public. As with many presidencies, the assessment of his term (2021–2025) is complex and largely depends on which issues and outcomes one prioritizes.

Supporters often view him as a highly consequential and effective leader who stabilized the country during a time of crisis, while critics point to persistent inflation, foreign policy crises, and border issues as major failures of his administration.

The primary arguments for and against the success of his presidency highlight these contrasting perspectives.

The Arguments in Favor (The Case for a "Good" Presidency)

Supporters of President Biden point to a historic list of legislative achievements, economic recovery, and the restoration of international alliances as the hallmarks of his legacy.

•Major Legislative Achievements: Despite working with a deeply divided Congress, Biden signed several historic, multi-billion-dollar pieces of legislation into law, many with bipartisan support:

•The American Rescue Plan (2021): A $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package that funded vaccine distribution, sent direct checks to Americans, and expanded the child tax credit.

•The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021): A $1.2 trillion bipartisan package to rebuild America's roads, bridges, public transit, clean water systems, and broadband access.

•The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): A law aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains (specifically China) and bolster national security.

•The Inflation Reduction Act (2022): A landmark bill representing the largest-ever federal investment in fighting climate change, while also allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and capping insulin costs for seniors.

•Pandemic Management: Upon taking office, Biden’s administration oversaw a massive, coordinated rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, restoring a sense of normalcy and stability after the initial disruptions of the pandemic.

•Economic Recovery and Job Growth: Under the Biden administration, the U.S. economy experienced rapid post-pandemic job growth, with unemployment rates dropping to historic lows (around 3.5%). His policies aimed at building the economy "from the middle out and bottom up" rather than "trickle-down" economics.

•Rebuilding Foreign Alliances: Biden restored traditional diplomatic relations, strengthened NATO, and rallied an international coalition to support Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion. He also rejoined major international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, which the previous administration had exited.

The Arguments Against (The Case Against a "Good" Presidency)

Critics of the Biden presidency argue that his policies worsened the cost of living for average Americans, created instability abroad, and failed to secure the nation's borders.

•Inflation and Cost of Living: Biden's presidency was heavily defined by high inflation, which peaked at a 40-year high of 9.1% in 2022. While global supply chain issues and the war in Ukraine contributed, critics and some economists argue that Biden’s massive stimulus spending (particularly the American Rescue Plan) overstimulated the economy and fueled this inflation. The resulting high cost of groceries, gas, and housing severely impacted the public's perception of his economic leadership.

•Border Security and Immigration: One of the most prominent criticisms of the Biden administration was its handling of the U.S. southern border. Record numbers of migrant crossings strained local resources in border states and major cities alike. Critics argue that the administration was slow to react and failed to put forward an effective strategy to manage illegal immigration.

•Foreign Policy Setbacks:

•The Afghanistan Withdrawal (2021): The U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 was widely criticized as chaotic and poorly executed. It resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, left thousands of Afghan allies behind, and allowed the Taliban to quickly retake control of the country.

•Global Instability: Critics argue that the outbreak of major conflicts—the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war—demonstrated a decline in American deterrence under his watch. His handling of the war in Gaza also alienated various groups, drawing criticism from the left for not doing enough to protect Palestinian civilians, and from the right for allegedly not showing enough solidarity with Israel.

•Age and Political Legacy: As the oldest sitting president in U.S. history, Biden’s age was a constant focus of public concern. Critics within and outside his party argued that his decision to run for re-election in 2024—before eventually bowing to pressure and withdrawing from the race in July 2024—hampered the Democratic Party and ultimately paved the way for Donald Trump’s return to the White House in the 2024 election.

Conclusion

Whether Joe Biden is remembered as a good president depends on the lens through which he is evaluated. To his supporters, he was a highly productive legislative leader who guided the nation out of a once-in-a-century pandemic and passed foundational investments in infrastructure, technology, and green energy. To his critics, he was a leader whose term was marred by damaging inflation, a crisis at the southern border, and significant foreign policy failures. Ultimately, history's final judgment will likely rest on the long-term impacts of his major domestic policies.

Citations (5)

1port.ac.ukAcademic
port.ac.uk
Backs: “As with many presidencies, the assessment of his term (2021–2025) is complex and largely depends on which issues and outcomes one prioritizes.”
background, article, neutral. Claim: Assessment of Biden's 2021–2025 term is complex and depends on which issues and outcomes one prioritizes.
2millercenter.orgAcademic
millercenter.org
Backs: “As with many presidencies, the assessment of his term (2021–2025) is complex and largely depends on which issues and outcomes one prioritizes.”
background, article, neutral. Claim: Assessment of Biden's term is complex and depends on which issues and outcomes one prioritizes.
3time.comNews and mediaquality 0.83
time.com
Backs: “Supporters often view him as a highly consequential and effective leader who stabilized the country during a time of crisis, while critics point to persistent inflation, foreign policy crises, and border issues as major failures of his administration.”
attribution, article, points to yes. Claim: Supporters view Biden as a consequential and effective leader who stabilized the country during a time of crisis.
4washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
washingtonpost.com
Backs: “Supporters often view him as a highly consequential and effective leader who stabilized the country during a time of crisis, while critics point to persistent inflation, foreign policy crises, and border issues as major failures of his administration.”
attribution, article, neutral. Claim: Supporters see an effective leader while critics cite inflation, foreign policy crises, and border issues as major failures.
5pbs.orgNews and mediaquality 0.87
pbs.org
Backs: “Border Security and Immigration: One of the most prominent criticisms of the Biden administration was its handling of the U.S. southern border. Record numbers of migrant crossings strained local resources in border states and major cities alike.”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Handling of the southern border was a prominent criticism, with record migrant crossings straining local resources.