Was Joe Biden a good president?

Assessing the presidency of Joe Biden (2021–2025) yields different conclusions depending on the criteria used, reflecting the deeply polarized nature of modern American politics. While presidential historians and scholars have rated him relatively highly for his legislative achievements and defense of democratic norms, public opinion at the end of his term was much more critical, heavily influenced by inflation and foreign policy challenges.

The primary arguments for and against the success of his presidency highlight these competing views.

The Case for a Successful Presidency (The Positive Perspective)

Supporters and many presidential scholars view Biden's term as highly productive, emphasizing his ability to pass landmark legislation through a deeply divided Congress.

•Major Legislative Achievements: Despite razor-thin Democratic majorities, Biden signed several historic, bipartisan, and major pieces of legislation into law:

•The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021): A massive $1.2 trillion investment in the nation’s roads, bridges, public transit, clean water, and broadband.

•The CHIPS and Science Act (2022): Designed to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing and scientific research to compete with China.

•The Inflation Reduction Act (2022): The largest federal investment in green energy and climate initiatives in U.S. history, alongside measures to lower prescription drug costs.

•Pandemic and Economic Recovery: Biden took office during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. His administration oversaw a rapid, organized vaccine rollout and passed the American Rescue Plan (2021) to assist families and businesses. Following the pandemic recession, the U.S. experienced historically low unemployment and robust job growth.

•Restoring Alliances and Global Leadership: Internationally, Biden mended fractured relationships with traditional Western allies, particularly within NATO. Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he successfully rallied a global coalition to provide military and financial aid to defend Ukrainian sovereignty.

•Scholar Assessments: In surveys of presidential historians—such as the Presidential Greatness Project Expert Survey—Biden was ranked 14th out of 45 presidents, placing him in the top third. Scholars praised his ability to stabilize democratic norms, restore institutional predictability, and pass significant domestic policies after a highly turbulent period in American politics.

The Case Against His Presidency (The Negative Perspective)

Critics, political opponents, and a significant portion of the American public point to persistent economic hardships and foreign policy setbacks as evidence of an unsuccessful presidency.

•Inflation and Cost of Living: The defining domestic issue of Biden's presidency was high inflation, which peaked at over 9% in 2022 and averaged 5.4% annually during his term. Opponents and some economists argue that Biden's large spending bills, particularly the American Rescue Plan, injected too much money into the economy and exacerbated the crisis. High prices on groceries, gas, and housing severely impacted his approval ratings.

•The Afghanistan Withdrawal: The August 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan was widely criticized as chaotic and poorly executed. The rapid takeover of the country by the Taliban and a terrorist attack that killed 13 U.S. service members at Kabul airport marked a severe, permanent decline in Biden's public approval ratings.

•Border and Immigration Security: Biden's administration faced intense criticism from Republicans, independents, and even some local Democratic leaders over its handling of the southern U.S. border. Record numbers of migrant crossings strained local resources in several major American cities and became a major political vulnerability.

•Foreign Policy Crises: Critics argue that Biden's foreign policy failed to deter global aggression, pointing to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict in the Middle East. His administration’s continued support for Israel during its campaign in Gaza alienated some progressive and Arab-American voters, while others argued he was not supportive enough of a key ally.

•Age, Communication, and Public Approval: Throughout his presidency, concerns persisted regarding Biden’s age and communication skills. His job approval ratings consistently hovered around 40%. A Gallup poll conducted near the end of his term in December 2024 revealed that 54% of Americans believed history would judge his presidency as "below average" or "poor". Additionally, some in his own party criticized him for insisting on running for re-election in 2024 before eventually stepping aside late in the campaign.

Conclusion

Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president depends largely on what a person prioritizes. Those who look at structural accomplishments point to his historic legislative record, economic recovery, and defense of democratic institutions. Those who focus on immediate outcomes point to the painful effects of inflation, border challenges, and foreign crises as signs of a troubled administration. Ultimately, his legacy remains a subject of active debate among historians, politicians, and the public alike.

Citations (8)

1facebook.comSocial media and video
facebook.com
Backs: “Assessing the presidency of Joe Biden (2021–2025) yields different conclusions depending on the criteria used, reflecting the deeply polarized nature of modern American politics. While presidential historians and scholars have rated him relatively highly for his legislative achievements and defense of democratic…”
2port.ac.ukAcademic
port.ac.uk
Backs: “Assessing the presidency of Joe Biden (2021–2025) yields different conclusions depending on the criteria used, reflecting the deeply polarized nature of modern American politics. While presidential historians and scholars have rated him relatively highly for his legislative achievements and defense of democratic…”
3gallup.comCompanies
gallup.com
Backs: “While presidential historians and scholars have rated him relatively highly for his legislative achievements and defense of democratic norms, public opinion at the end of his term was much more critical, heavily influenced by inflation and foreign policy challenges.”
4cfr.orgNonprofits and think tanks
cfr.org
Backs: “Supporters and many presidential scholars view Biden's term as highly productive, emphasizing his ability to pass landmark legislation through a deeply divided Congress.”
5washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
washingtonpost.com
Backs: “Supporters and many presidential scholars view Biden's term as highly productive, emphasizing his ability to pass landmark legislation through a deeply divided Congress.”
6millercenter.orgAcademic
millercenter.org
Backs: “His administration oversaw a rapid, organized vaccine rollout and passed the American Rescue Plan (2021) to assist families and businesses. Following the pandemic recession, the U.S.”
7uh.eduAcademic
uh.edu
Backs: “Scholar Assessments: In surveys of presidential historians—such as the Presidential Greatness Project Expert Survey—Biden was ranked 14th out of 45 presidents, placing him in the top third. Scholars praised his ability to stabilize democratic norms, restore institutional predictability, and pass significant domestic…”
8siena.eduAcademic
siena.edu
Backs: “Age, Communication, and Public Approval: Throughout his presidency, concerns persisted regarding Biden’s age and communication skills. His job approval ratings consistently hovered around 40%.”