Joe Biden's presidency (2021–2025) is highly polarizing; whether he was "good" depends on one's values, priorities, and metrics (economy, foreign policy, legislation, competence, etc.). There is no objective yes/no—supporters highlight legislative wins and recovery from COVID, while critics point to inflation, border issues, Afghanistan, age/cognitive concerns, and declining polls. Below is a fact-based overview drawn from major data and events.
Key Achievements and Positive Indicators
•Major legislation: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (~$1T for roads, bridges, broadband, etc.); Inflation Reduction Act (climate/energy investments, drug price negotiation via Medicare, deficit reduction claims); CHIPS and Science Act (semiconductor manufacturing incentives); gun safety law; PACT Act (veterans' health); and COVID relief (American Rescue Plan). These passed with varying bipartisan support.
•Economy and jobs: Unemployment fell from ~6.4% at inauguration to around 4% range for much of the term (pre-2024 softening). Strong job growth post-COVID (millions of jobs added). Stock markets reached record highs. Real wages eventually recovered for many after initial inflation hit. Poverty rates and some inequality metrics improved temporarily via transfers.
•COVID and health: Overseaw vaccine rollout continuation, end of emergency declarations, and reduced deaths/hospitalizations as immunity built. Expanded ACA coverage. Lowered insulin costs and other drug pricing measures.
•Climate/energy: Significant clean energy investments and emissions-related goals; U.S. became net energy exporter continuity with record oil/gas production in some years.
•Foreign policy wins (per supporters): Strong NATO unity and aid to Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion; AUKUS pact; alliances vs. China; Abraham Accords continuity elements; release of some hostages/prisoners.
•Other: First major federal cannabis pardons/scheduling moves; judicial appointments (including Ketanji Brown Jackson); student debt relief attempts (partially blocked by courts); relatively low traditional crime rates in some FBI data after 2020 spike (though perceptions differed).
Major Criticisms and Negative Indicators
•Inflation and cost of living: Peak CPI inflation hit 9.1% in 2022 (highest in 40 years), driven by stimulus, supply chains, energy, and war. Grocery, rent, and gas prices rose sharply; real wages lagged initially for lower/middle incomes. Fed rate hikes followed. Deficit and debt grew substantially.
•Border and immigration: Record encounters/apprehensions at southern border (millions); expulsions via Title 42 ended; criticisms of catch-and-release, fentanyl trafficking deaths, and strained cities. Executive actions and later restrictions came amid political pressure. Net migration estimates were very high.
•Afghanistan withdrawal (2021): Chaotic evacuation, 13 U.S. service members killed in Kabul bombing, abandoned equipment, rapid Taliban takeover. Widely viewed as poorly executed across parties.
•Foreign policy challenges: Ongoing Ukraine war with massive U.S. aid (no quick victory); Israel-Hamas war after Oct 7, 2023 (tensions over Gaza response, campus protests); China balloon incident, Taiwan tensions, and economic competition; Iran/Houthi attacks; perceptions of weakness or inconsistency.
•Age, fitness, and governance: Biden was the oldest president; gaffes, special counsel reports noting memory issues, and limited high-stakes unscripted appearances fueled concerns. 2024 debate performance led to his withdrawal from re-election. Classified documents issues. Perceptions of influence peddling involving family (Hunter Biden) persisted despite no charges against Joe.
•Crime, cities, and culture: Post-2020 crime spikes in some cities lingered in perception; debates over policing, education (COVID closures lasting effects), and social issues. Approval on handling of economy, immigration, and leadership often lagged.
•Other: Evacuation/withdrawal optics damaged credibility; energy policy mixed (pause on leases then reversal amid prices); some regulatory expansions criticized as overreach.
Public Opinion and Electoral Outcome
Gallup, FiveThirtyEight, and others showed Biden's job approval mostly underwater after early 2021 highs (COVID relief honeymoon), often in the low-to-mid 40s or below, with strong partisan split (Democrats high, Republicans very low, independents negative). Inflation, border, and age were top drags.
He withdrew from the 2024 race after the debate; Kamala Harris lost the election to Donald Trump, who won the popular vote and Electoral College decisively. Exit polls cited economy, immigration, and democracy/leadership as key issues.
Context and Comparisons
•Inherited COVID recession, then faced supply shocks, Ukraine war energy effects, and polarized Congress (narrow majorities, then 2022 midterm House loss).
•Economic growth was solid in absolute terms post-reopening but real disposable income and consumer sentiment suffered from inflation. By late term, inflation cooled toward 2-3% target, unemployment stayed relatively low until softening, and some "soft landing" narratives emerged.
•Historical ranking efforts (historians' surveys) are early/partisan and place him middling-to-low so far; full legacy needs decades.
•"Good" often tracks: if you prioritize climate spending, social safety net expansion, alliances against Russia/China, and pandemic recovery → more positive. If you prioritize low inflation/borders/energy abundance/perceived strength/competence → more negative.
Data comes from BLS (jobs/inflation), CBO/Treasury (fiscal), DHS/CBP (border), Gallup/RCP (polls), and mainstream reporting on legislation/events. For deeper dives, check primary sources like whitehouse.gov archives, bls.gov, or nonpartisan trackers (e.g., FactCheck.org, CBO). Opinions differ sharply by media diet and partisanship—evaluate primary metrics yourself.