Was Joe Biden a good president?
Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is a matter of political judgment, and reasonable people disagree sharply based on their values and priorities. Rather than giving a verdict, here's a balanced look at the major arguments on both sides:
Arguments Often Cited in His Favor
Economic recovery: He oversaw a strong post-pandemic job recovery, with unemployment reaching historic lows for extended periods, and signed major legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act (which included significant climate investments and drug pricing reforms).
Legislative achievements: He passed a substantial legislative agenda despite a narrowly divided Congress, including the American Rescue Plan for pandemic relief.
Foreign policy stability: Supporters credit him with rebuilding alliances (like NATO) after the Trump years and organizing international support for Ukraine after Russia's invasion.
Judicial appointments: He appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, and a historically diverse slate of federal judges.
Arguments Often Cited Against Him
Inflation: Critics point to the highest inflation in 40 years during his term, which significantly eroded purchasing power and public approval.
Afghanistan withdrawal: The chaotic 2021 withdrawal, including the Kabul airport evacuation and deaths of 13 U.S. service members, was widely criticized as poorly executed.
Immigration/border policy: Record numbers of border crossings became a major political liability and source of criticism from both parties at times.
Age and fitness concerns: Questions about his age and mental sharpness grew throughout his term, culminating in the widely-criticized June 2024 debate performance and his eventual withdrawal from the 2024 race.
Israel-Gaza war: His handling of the conflict after October 7, 2023 drew criticism from multiple directions—seen as too supportive of Israel by some, and not supportive enough by others.
The Bottom Line
Evaluations tend to split heavily along partisan lines, though even within parties there's debate (e.g., progressives often criticized him from the left on issues like Gaza or student debt relief limits). Historians typically wait years or decades before rendering more settled judgments on a presidency, as immediate political reactions often differ from longer-term assessments.
If you'd like, I can dig deeper into any specific policy area (economy, foreign policy, specific legislation) where you want more detail.