Was Joe Biden a good president?

[1][2][3][4]Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is inherently subjective, depending on one's priorities (economy, foreign policy, immigration, social issues, leadership style, etc.), political views, and how one weighs achievements against shortcomings. There is no objective yes/no answer. Public opinion was largely negative by the end of his term, historians have ranked him relatively highly so far, and both sides can point to substantial evidence.[1]

Biden served one term (2021–2025). He entered amid the COVID-19 pandemic and left with Donald Trump returning to office. Here's a balanced overview of key facts.

Public Opinion and Approval Ratings

Biden’s average Gallup job approval rating was about 42.2%—the second-lowest among post-WWII presidents (just above Trump’s first-term average of ~41%). He started higher (~57% early on) but fell below 50% after the Afghanistan withdrawal and stayed there for most of his term, with a final rating around 40% and a low near 36%. Ratings were extremely polarized: very high among Democrats (~85%), low among independents, and minimal among Republicans (~6%).[1][5]

Many Americans viewed his presidency negatively on issues like inflation, the border, and his age/fitness, contributing to Democratic losses in 2024.

Major Accomplishments and Positive Aspects

Supporters highlight legislative wins (despite narrow congressional margins), economic recovery metrics, and foreign policy leadership:

Some early historian surveys (e.g., 2024 Presidential Greatness Project) ranked him around 14th all-time—respectable (ahead of Reagan in that poll, well above recent Republicans like G.W. Bush or Trump), citing restoration of norms, infrastructure, and countering Trump. Rankings can shift with time and are influenced by the respondents’ leanings.[4][11]

Major Criticisms and Shortcomings

Critics point to high costs of living, border management, foreign policy missteps, and personal/leadership issues:

Some analyses also note unfinished business or mixed results on crime, education, and energy.

Bottom Line

Biden oversaw a strong post-pandemic jobs recovery, passed significant bipartisan and partisan legislation on infrastructure/tech/climate/health, and managed key alliances amid global crises. However, elevated inflation hurt living standards for many, border encounters reached historic highs, the Afghanistan exit damaged credibility, and low/polarized approval plus age-related questions defined the public narrative. Historians currently place him in the upper-middle tier; the public largely did not view the term favorably by the end.[1]

"Good" depends on what you value most. Economic data looks stronger on employment/growth than on prices; foreign policy stronger on alliances/Ukraine than on Afghanistan/border security spillover or Middle East optics. Future rankings will evolve with longer-term outcomes (e.g., infrastructure projects, chip factories, climate investments, debt trajectory, Ukraine results). For primary sources, check Gallup, BLS/BEA economic data, CBP border stats, and White House/congressional records.