Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is fundamentally a matter of political judgment and values, so there's no single objective answer—but I can lay out the main arguments people make on different sides.
Arguments from supporters:
•Passed major legislation: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act (boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing), and the Inflation Reduction Act (climate/healthcare spending, drug price negotiation for Medicare)
•Oversaw a strong post-pandemic jobs recovery and low unemployment for much of his term
•Rebuilt and strengthened NATO/Western alliances, particularly in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
•Appointed the first Black woman to the Supreme Court (Ketanji Brown Jackson)
•Managed COVID-19 vaccine distribution and economic relief (American Rescue Plan)
Arguments from critics:
•Inflation surged significantly during 2021-2023, hurting household budgets and becoming a major political liability
•Handling of the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration was widely criticized, including from within his own party
•The chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 was seen by many as poorly executed
•Concerns about his age and mental sharpness grew throughout his term, culminating in his withdrawal from the 2024 race after a widely criticized debate performance
•Some progressives felt he didn't go far enough on issues like student debt relief or climate action; some on the right felt his policies were too costly or progressive
Broader context:
Historical assessments of presidents often shift significantly over time as more information emerges and policies play out long-term. Polling during his presidency showed approval ratings that fluctuated but trended downward, particularly after 2022, driven largely by inflation concerns and questions about his fitness for a second term.
If you want, I can dig into a specific policy area (economy, foreign policy, judicial appointments, etc.) in more depth, or look at current historical/approval assessments of his presidency.