Joe Biden's presidency (2021–2025) is highly polarizing; whether he was "good" depends on one's priorities, values, and metrics. There is no objective yes/no answer—assessments vary sharply by party, ideology, and which outcomes matter most (economy, COVID recovery, foreign policy, inflation, border security, etc.). Below is a balanced factual overview drawn from public data, legislation, and polling.
Major Achievements and Positive Assessments
Supporters (often Democrats, independents leaning left, and some centrists) highlight:
•COVID-19 response and recovery: Accelerated vaccine distribution, American Rescue Plan (2021) providing stimulus, and a strong rebound in jobs and GDP growth post-pandemic. Unemployment fell significantly from pandemic highs.
•Legislation: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (roads, bridges, broadband, EV charging); CHIPS and Science Act (semiconductor manufacturing and tech competition with China); Inflation Reduction Act (climate investments, clean energy tax credits, some drug price negotiation via Medicare); gun safety measures after bipartisan talks.
•Economy and jobs: Strong job creation in the early years; record lows in unemployment for certain demographics at points; stock market gains; efforts on student debt relief (partially blocked by courts) and expanded ACA coverage.
•Foreign policy/other: Withdrawal from Afghanistan (fulfilling a campaign promise, though chaotic); support for Ukraine against Russia; strengthened alliances (e.g., AUKUS, NATO expansion); judicial appointments and other domestic priorities like expanded child tax credits (temporary).
•Polling among supporters: Higher approval among Democrats; some credit for avoiding a deeper recession and advancing climate/industrial policy.
These are frequently cited by outlets and analysts favorable to the administration as evidence of effective governance on progressive and centrist priorities.
Major Criticisms and Negative Assessments
Critics (often Republicans, conservatives, and some independents) point to:
•Inflation and cost of living: Peak inflation hit multi-decade highs (driven by stimulus, supply chains, energy, and global factors); real wages lagged for many; housing and grocery costs rose sharply. The administration attributed much to external shocks (Putin, COVID); critics blamed excessive spending and energy policies.
•Border and immigration: Record encounters/migrant crossings at the southern border; strained resources in cities; policy shifts (ending Remain in Mexico initially, later reinstating elements and executive actions). Seen by critics as a major failure of deterrence and enforcement.
•Afghanistan withdrawal: Chaotic exit in 2021 with deaths of U.S. service members, abandoned equipment, and rapid Taliban takeover—widely criticized across the aisle for planning and execution.
•Foreign policy/other: Perceptions of weakness (e.g., early signals on Ukraine/Afghanistan); energy prices and production debates (Keystone XL cancellation, leasing pauses); age/cognitive concerns that intensified later in the term and contributed to his decision not to seek re-election in 2024; handling of issues like crime in some cities, education, and cultural debates.
•Overall approval: Gallup, FiveThirtyEight, and other trackers showed Biden's job approval often underwater (typically 40% or lower for long stretches, with strong partisan divides—high among Democrats, very low among Republicans). Economic anxiety and inflation consistently ranked as top voter concerns in midterms and 2024.
Key Context and Data Points
•Partisan split: Approval was extremely polarized (often 80%+ Democrats vs. teens/low-20s Republicans). Independents were frequently net negative.
•Economic record: Strong nominal growth and jobs early on, but high inflation eroded purchasing power; later cooling of inflation and soft-landing narrative were claimed as successes. Debates continue on attribution (global factors vs. policy).
•2024 election context: Biden withdrew after the debate performance raised fitness questions; Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump, with voters citing economy, immigration, and leadership as major factors in exit polls and analyses.
•Historical comparisons: Like most modern presidents, he had wins and losses. Rankings by historians (when they occur) often place recent presidents in the middle or lower tiers pending longer-term judgment; public opinion remains divided.
Bottom line: If you prioritize pandemic recovery stimulus, industrial policy, climate investments, and social spending expansions, many view the term positively. If you prioritize low inflation, border control, decisive foreign policy execution, and concerns about age/competence or cultural issues, many view it negatively. Primary sources for deeper dives include BLS/BEA economic data, CBP border stats, Congressional Research Service summaries of major bills, Gallup/Pew/FiveThirtyEight polling archives, and nonpartisan fact-checkers.