Was Joe Biden a good president?

Assessing whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is a complex question with no single consensus. Like many modern leaders, his single term in office (2021–2025) is viewed as a "tale of two presidencies".

To his supporters, he was a highly productive legislative leader who guided the country through a once-in-a-century pandemic, restored traditional norms, and rebuilt international alliances. To his critics, his administration was defined by painful inflation, a crisis at the southern border, and significant foreign policy challenges.

The main achievements and criticisms of his legacy highlight why opinions remain deeply divided.

The Case for a Successful Presidency (The Achievements)

Supporters and many presidential historians point to a highly consequential legislative record and a strong post-pandemic economic recovery as his primary successes:

•Landmark Legislative Legacy: Despite governing with a razor-thin congressional majority, Biden passed some of the most significant domestic legislation in decades. This included:

•The American Rescue Plan (2021): A $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that funded vaccine distribution and provided direct financial aid to Americans.

•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): A law aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.

•The Inflation Reduction Act (2022): The largest federal investment in fighting climate change in U.S. history, alongside measures to lower prescription drug costs and implement tax reforms.

•Economic and Pandemic Recovery: Biden successfully oversaw the massive rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. Under his watch, the U.S. experienced rapid job growth, historically low unemployment, and a GDP recovery that outpaced almost every other major developed country.

•Restoring Alliances & International Leadership: Following the "America First" posture of the Trump administration, Biden worked to repair relationships with traditional allies, particularly within NATO. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he successfully rallied a global coalition to provide military and financial support to Kyiv.

•Normalizing Governance: Supporters credit Biden with lowering the political temperature in Washington, restoring traditional institutional norms, and demonstrating that bipartisan negotiations were still possible.

The Case Against His Presidency (The Failures and Criticisms)

Critics, including political opponents and disappointed voters, point to economic struggles, national security issues, and leadership concerns:

•Inflation and Cost of Living: Although the job market was strong, the Biden era was plagued by high inflation, which peaked at over 9% in mid-2022 and averaged 5.4% over his term. Critics argued that his administration's massive spending packages injected too much money into the economy, triggering the price hikes. The rising cost of food, gas, and housing severely damaged public perception of his economic leadership.

•The Southern Border Crisis: Biden’s administration struggled to manage record-high migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. Critics blamed his rollback of certain Trump-era policies for encouraging illegal immigration, and polling showed a widespread lack of public confidence in his border management.

•Foreign Policy Setbacks:

•The Afghanistan Withdrawal (2021): The chaotic and deadly U.S. military retreat from Kabul in August 2021, which resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and the rapid return of the Taliban, dealt a severe blow to Biden's approval ratings, from which they never fully recovered.

•The Middle East: His handling of the Israel-Hamas war alienated different parts of the electorate. Many progressives and young voters felt he was too supportive of Israel's military actions, while conservatives criticized him for not being supportive enough or for failing to deter Iranian influence.

•Age and Political Communication: As the oldest sitting president in U.S. history, Biden’s age was a constant focus. Concerns about his cognitive stamina and verbal acuity grew steadily, culminating in a disastrous debate performance in June 2024. Under intense pressure from his own party, he ultimately withdrew from the 2024 presidential race in July 2024.

How History and the Public View Him

There is a stark contrast between how historians and the general public evaluate the Biden presidency:

•Historians' Ranking: In professional surveys, such as the Presidential Greatness Project conducted by political scientists, Biden was ranked in the top third of U.S. presidents (often around 14th place). Scholars praised his legislative achievements, his defense of democratic institutions, and his foreign policy leadership under pressure.

•Public Approval: The general public was much less favorable. Squeezed by high interest rates and inflation, the majority of Americans disapproved of his job performance. Biden ended his presidency in January 2025 with historically low average approval ratings (hovering between 36% and 40%).

Conclusion

Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president depends on what a person values most. For those who prioritize monumental domestic investments, climate action, and stable global coalitions, he is viewed as a highly effective president. For those who prioritize price stability, border security, and strong global deterrence, his tenure is seen as a period of domestic and international instability.

Citations (9)

1washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
washingtonpost.com
Backs: “Like many modern leaders, his single term in office (2021–2025) is viewed as a "tale of two presidencies".”
2uh.eduAcademic
uh.edu
Backs: “To his supporters, he was a highly productive legislative leader who guided the country through a once-in-a-century pandemic, restored traditional norms, and rebuilt international alliances. To his critics, his administration was defined by painful inflation, a crisis at the southern border, and significant foreign…”
3port.ac.ukAcademic
port.ac.uk
Backs: “To his critics, his administration was defined by painful inflation, a crisis at the southern border, and significant foreign policy challenges.”
4time.comNews and mediaquality 0.83
time.com
Backs: “Landmark Legislative Legacy: Despite governing with a razor-thin congressional majority, Biden passed some of the most significant domestic legislation in decades. This included:”
5millercenter.orgAcademic
millercenter.org
Backs: “Restoring Alliances & International Leadership: Following the "America First" posture of the Trump administration, Biden worked to repair relationships with traditional allies, particularly within NATO. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he successfully rallied a global coalition to provide military and financial…”
6facebook.comSocial media and video
facebook.com
Backs: “After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he successfully rallied a global coalition to provide military and financial support to Kyiv. Normalizing Governance: Supporters credit Biden with lowering the political temperature in Washington, restoring traditional institutional norms, and demonstrating that bipartisan…”
7unimelb.edu.auAcademic
unimelb.edu.au
Backs: “Normalizing Governance: Supporters credit Biden with lowering the political temperature in Washington, restoring traditional institutional norms, and demonstrating that bipartisan negotiations were still possible.”
8facebook.comSocial media and video
facebook.com
Backs: “The Middle East: His handling of the Israel-Hamas war alienated different parts of the electorate. Many progressives and young voters felt he was too supportive of Israel's military actions, while conservatives criticized him for not being supportive enough or for failing to deter Iranian influence.”
9gallup.comCompanies
gallup.com
Backs: “Biden ended his presidency in January 2025 with historically low average approval ratings (hovering between 36% and 40%). Conclusion”