Was Joe Biden a good president?

Short answer: it depends on what you value most. Here’s a balanced snapshot of Joe Biden’s record as understood through October 2024:

What supporters point to

•Economic recovery: rapid job growth after the pandemic, unemployment near historic lows through 2023–2024, a manufacturing and infrastructure investment surge.

•Major laws passed: American Rescue Plan (2021), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021), CHIPS & Science Act (2022), Inflation Reduction Act (2022—climate, Medicare drug negotiations, ACA subsidies), PACT Act for veterans, and a bipartisan gun‑safety law.

•Climate/industry: largest federal clean‑energy push to date, with incentives for EVs, batteries, and renewables; new domestic semiconductor capacity commitments.

•Alliances: closer coordination with NATO and partners, extensive aid to Ukraine; initiatives like AUKUS in the Indo‑Pacific.

•Health policy: Medicare insulin cap for seniors ($35), steps toward drug‑price negotiation, extended ACA premium assistance.

What critics argue

•Inflation and costs: the 2021–2023 inflation spike hurt household budgets; some economists say the 2021 stimulus overheated demand. Higher interest rates followed.

•Border and migration: record encounters and strained asylum system; policy reversals and executive actions drew fire from both left and right.

•Afghanistan withdrawal (August 2021): chaotic exit and loss of U.S. materiel damaged credibility, according to critics.

•Fiscal/deficit: deficits remained large after pandemic programs ended; long‑term debt outlook worsened.

•Energy and regulation: critics say permitting and climate rules raised costs or slowed traditional energy; supporters dispute this.

•Student loans: broad forgiveness plan struck down; subsequent targeted relief drew legal and political pushback.

•Communication/age: concerns about messaging discipline and public confidence.

Mixed/nuanced outcomes

•By late 2023–2024 inflation cooled while real wage gains improved, but perceptions of the economy lagged for many households.

•Crime trends varied by city and category; national narratives were contested.

•Record pace of lower‑court judicial confirmations and increased bench diversity; Supreme Court direction remained conservative.

Bottom line

•If you prioritize big legislative wins on infrastructure, climate, and industrial policy with a strong labor market, you may judge his presidency positively.

•If you prioritize low inflation, strict border control, a steadier Afghanistan exit, or smaller deficits, you may judge it negatively.

If you’d like, I can pull the most up‑to‑date 2025–2026 metrics and nonpartisan retrospectives to give a post‑presidency verdict. What issues matter most to you—economy, foreign policy, immigration, climate, or something else?

Was Joe Biden a good president?

Citations (0)