Was Joe Biden a good president?

Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is a highly subjective question, with opinions deeply divided among historians, political experts, and the general public. Since his presidency concluded in January 2025, assessments of his legacy have varied significantly depending on whether observers prioritize his major legislative accomplishments or the economic and geopolitical challenges that defined his term.

To provide a balanced overview, his presidency can be evaluated through both his major achievements and the primary criticisms leveled against his administration.

The Case for a Successful Presidency (Achievements)

Supporters and some presidential historians argue that Biden was a highly consequential and successful president, pointing to several key areas:

•Landmark Legislative Legacy: Despite working with a highly polarized Congress and narrow majorities, Biden signed some of the most significant domestic legislation in decades.

•The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: A historic investment in the nation’s roads, bridges, public transit, clean water, and broadband.

•The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): The largest federal investment in green energy and climate change initiatives in U.S. history, which also allowed Medicare to negotiate some prescription drug prices.

•The CHIPS and Science Act: A major push to revitalize domestic semiconductor manufacturing and boost technological research.

•Bipartisan Safer Communities Act: The first major federal gun safety legislation passed in nearly 30 years.

•Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery: Biden’s supporters highlight the rapid economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. During his term, the U.S. economy saw historic job creation, with the unemployment rate dropping to near-historic lows, and a faster economic rebound compared to most other major global economies.

•Strengthening International Alliances: Biden campaigned on restoring "normalcy" to foreign policy. Supporters credit him with repairing relations with traditional allies (especially NATO) and successfully rallying global support to aid Ukraine in the wake of Russia's 2022 invasion.

•Defense of Democratic Norms: For many supporters, Biden's primary achievement was stabilizing American democratic institutions and bringing a sense of traditional, calm governance back to the White House following the tumultuous transition of power in 2021.

The Case Against a Successful Presidency (Criticisms)

Critics, opponents, and much of the general public argue that Biden’s presidency was unsuccessful, pointing to severe domestic and international crises:

•Inflation and Cost of Living: The defining vulnerability of the Biden presidency was inflation, which peaked at over 9% in 2022. Critics argue that the massive spending in Biden's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan overstimulated the economy and triggered this inflation. High prices for food, gas, and housing, combined with high interest rates, severely damaged working-class Americans' budgets and dominated public dissatisfaction.

•Immigration and Border Security: Under Biden's term, the U.S.–Mexico border saw unprecedented numbers of unauthorized crossings. Critics accused the administration of failing to secure the border, neglecting national security, and reversing effective deterrent policies.

•Foreign Policy Setbacks:

•The Afghanistan Withdrawal: The chaotic U.S. military withdrawal from Kabul in August 2021, which resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and the rapid return of the Taliban, heavily damaged Biden’s credibility and marked a permanent turning point downward in his approval ratings.

•Global Instability: Critics argue that Biden's foreign policy signaled weakness, pointing to the outbreak of major conflicts during his term, including the war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

•National Debt: Under Biden, the national debt increased by over $8 trillion, rising past $34 trillion, which critics pointed to as evidence of fiscal irresponsibility.

•Age and the 2024 Campaign: Concerns regarding Biden's physical and cognitive decline persisted throughout his term. Critics and some within his own party argued that his initial insistence on seeking a second term—before stepping aside in July 2024—disrupted his party's electoral prospects and contributed to the subsequent defeat of the Democratic ticket in 2024.

How History and the Public View His Legacy

Because his presidency is still very recent, evaluations are deeply split depending on who is asked:

•The Public: Public sentiment toward Biden at the end of his term was largely negative. A January 2025 Gallup poll found that 54% of Americans predicted history would remember him as a "below average" or "poor" president, with his average approval rating hovering around 40-42%. This reflected deep frustration with the cost of living and a polarized political landscape.

•Historians: In contrast, early surveys of historians and presidential scholars (such as the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project) ranked Biden considerably higher—placing him 14th out of 46 presidents. Presidential scholars tend to place heavy weight on major structural legislation, the strengthening of international coalitions, and the preservation of democratic institutions.

Ultimately, whether Joe Biden was a "good" president depends on which aspects of his tenure are emphasized. Those who focus on his long-term legislative record and stabilization of alliances view his presidency favorably; those who focus on inflation, border issues, and global instability view it as a period of national decline.

Citations (9)

1infobase.comNot yet classified
infobase.com
Backs: “Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is a highly subjective question, with opinions deeply divided among historians, political experts, and the general public.”
2port.ac.ukAcademic
port.ac.uk
Backs: “Since his presidency concluded in January 2025, assessments of his legacy have varied significantly depending on whether observers prioritize his major legislative accomplishments or the economic and geopolitical challenges that defined his term.”
3millercenter.orgAcademic
millercenter.org
Backs: “Since his presidency concluded in January 2025, assessments of his legacy have varied significantly depending on whether observers prioritize his major legislative accomplishments or the economic and geopolitical challenges that defined his term.”
4house.govGovernment
house.gov
Backs: “Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery: Biden’s supporters highlight the rapid economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. During his term, the U.S.”
5unimelb.edu.auAcademic
unimelb.edu.au
Backs: “Strengthening International Alliances: Biden campaigned on restoring "normalcy" to foreign policy. Supporters credit him with repairing relations with traditional allies (especially NATO) and successfully rallying global support to aid Ukraine in the wake of Russia's 2022 invasion.”
6medium.comBlogs and newsletters
medium.com
Backs: “Supporters credit him with repairing relations with traditional allies (especially NATO) and successfully rallying global support to aid Ukraine in the wake of Russia's 2022 invasion. Defense of Democratic Norms: For many supporters, Biden's primary achievement was stabilizing American democratic institutions and…”
7youtube.comSocial media and video
youtube.com
Backs: “National Debt: Under Biden, the national debt increased by over $8 trillion, rising past $34 trillion, which critics pointed to as evidence of fiscal irresponsibility.”
8gallup.comCompanies
gallup.com
Backs: “The Public: Public sentiment toward Biden at the end of his term was largely negative. A January 2025 Gallup poll found that 54% of Americans predicted history would remember him as a "below average" or "poor" president, with his average approval rating hovering around 40-42%.”
9facebook.comSocial media and video
facebook.com
Backs: “Historians: In contrast, early surveys of historians and presidential scholars (such as the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project) ranked Biden considerably higher—placing him 14th out of 46 presidents. Presidential scholars tend to place heavy weight on major structural legislation, the strengthening of international…”