Was Joe Biden a good president?

Short answer: it depends on what you value.

What supporters point to

•Big laws: American Rescue Plan (COVID recovery), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act (major climate/health investments), PACT Act (veterans), and a modest gun‑safety law.

•Economy: rapid post‑pandemic job gains and very low unemployment by 2023–2024; strong manufacturing investment tied to CHIPS/IRA.

•Foreign policy: revitalized alliances (especially NATO), sustained support for Ukraine, AUKUS, and the strike on al‑Zawahiri.

•Governance: many federal judges confirmed; restoration of more traditional presidential norms.

What critics cite

•Inflation spike in 2021–2022 that cut real wages for a time; higher rates and housing costs that followed.

•Chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021.

•Southern border surges and an overwhelmed asylum system.

•Larger deficits and more federal spending; energy prices volatility.

•Mixed marks on communication/age and handling of divisive issues (e.g., Israel‑Gaza).

How to decide

•If you prioritize passing big domestic legislation, climate action, and stronger alliances, you’ll likely rate him “good.”

•If inflation, border management, Afghanistan, and fiscal restraint weigh more for you, you may judge him “poorly.”

•Many land in the middle: significant legislative wins and alliance management, offset by costly inflation and policy stumbles.

If you want, I can pull up‑to‑date numbers and outcomes through October 12, 2026 (jobs, inflation, emissions, border encounters, Ukraine/Israel policy) and tailor the assessment to the areas you care about most. Which factors matter most to you?

Was Joe Biden a good president?

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