Was Joe Biden a good president?

Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is a subject of significant debate among historians, political analysts, and the public. Evaluation of his single term in office (2021–2025) typically depends on which aspects of his presidency—legislative accomplishments, economic performance, foreign policy, or political leadership—are prioritized.

An overview of the arguments from both supporters and critics outlines the key facets of his legacy:

Key Achievements and Successes (The Case for a "Good" Presidency)

Supporters of Joe Biden argue that his administration was one of the most legislatively productive in modern American history, achieving major policy goals despite holding a razor-thin congressional majority during his first two years.

•Major Legislative Deliveries: Biden signed several historic bipartisan and partisan bills:

•The American Rescue Plan (2021): A $1.9 trillion stimulus package aimed at accelerating the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, funding vaccine distribution, and providing direct financial aid to citizens.

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

•The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): Aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

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

•Strong Economic and Job Growth: Under the Biden administration, the U.S. economy experienced robust job growth, with unemployment rates dipping to historic lows. His policies focused on boosting manufacturing and supporting the middle class ("middle-out, bottom-up" economics).

•Restoring International Alliances: Biden recommitted the U.S. to global pacts like the Paris Climate Agreement and worked to repair relationships with traditional democratic allies, particularly within NATO.

•Support for Ukraine: Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Biden successfully organized a broad international coalition to supply Ukraine with financial and military aid, keeping NATO united against Russian aggression.

•Judicial Appointments: He appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, alongside dozens of diverse federal judges.

Major Criticisms and Shortcomings (The Case Against a "Good" Presidency)

Critics, including conservatives and some progressives, argue that his term was marked by economic hardship, foreign policy missteps, and a failure to address key domestic crises.

•High Inflation: The defining domestic issue of Biden’s presidency was high inflation, which reached a 40-year peak in 2022. Critics argue that the massive spending in the American Rescue Plan and other legislative bills overheated the economy. While inflation eventually cooled, the high cost of groceries, housing, and everyday goods severely damaged public perception of his economic leadership.

•The Afghanistan Withdrawal: The August 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan 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 rapidly retake control of the country. This event triggered a permanent drop in Biden's approval ratings.

•Border and Immigration Crisis: The Biden administration faced a historic surge of migrant crossings at the southern U.S. border. Critics accused the administration of failing to secure the border, which became a highly visible political vulnerability and strained the resources of major U.S. cities.

•Foreign Policy Instability: Beyond Ukraine, critics pointed to global instability during his term, including the outbreak of the war in Gaza. His administration’s firm support of Israel during the conflict drew severe backlash from progressives and younger voters, while conservatives criticized his broader Middle East policies.

•Age and Political Strategy: Biden entered office as the oldest president in U.S. history. Persistent concerns about his age and cognitive stamina culminated in a widely criticized debate performance in June 2024. This led to his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race in July, passing the nomination to Kamala Harris. Critics argue his insistence on running for re-election initially prevented a competitive primary, which ultimately contributed to the Democrats losing the 2024 election to Donald Trump.

Public and Historical Legacy

When Joe Biden left office in January 2025, his average public approval rating hovered in the low 40s, reflecting a highly polarized country.

•Supporters view him as a consequential, transitionary figure who successfully managed the tail end of a historic pandemic, enacted generational investments in American infrastructure and green energy, and preserved democratic norms after a period of intense political turbulence.

•Detractors view his presidency as a period of economic decline driven by inflation, global instability, and weak leadership, pointing to his low approval ratings and the subsequent return of Donald Trump to the White House as evidence of his unpopularity.

Ultimately, historical consensus on the Biden presidency is still forming, and he is remembered both for his major legislative accomplishments and the steep economic and foreign policy challenges that defined his time in office.

Citations (5)

1wikipedia.orgEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.83
wikipedia.org
Backs: “Major Legislative Deliveries: Biden signed several historic bipartisan and partisan bills: The American Rescue Plan (2021): A $1.9 trillion stimulus package aimed at accelerating the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, funding vaccine distribution, and providing direct financial aid to citizens. The Infrastructure…”
2millercenter.orgAcademic
millercenter.org
Backs: “The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): Aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. The Inflation Reduction Act (2022): Represented the largest-ever federal investment in combating climate change, while also allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and…”
3cfr.orgNonprofits and think tanks
cfr.org
Backs: “His policies focused on boosting manufacturing and supporting the middle class ("middle-out, bottom-up" economics). Restoring International Alliances: Biden recommitted the U.S.”
4port.ac.ukAcademic
port.ac.uk
Backs: “Support for Ukraine: Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Biden successfully organized a broad international coalition to supply Ukraine with financial and military aid, keeping NATO united against Russian aggression. Judicial Appointments: He appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve…”
5study.comNot yet classified
study.com
Backs: “Critics argue his insistence on running for re-election initially prevented a competitive primary, which ultimately contributed to the Democrats losing the 2024 election to Donald Trump. ---. Public and Historical Legacy”