Was Joe Biden a good president?
It depends on one's political values, priorities, and metrics—there is no objective "yes" or "no." Joe Biden’s presidency (2021–2025) was consequential and mixed: it featured major legislative wins, a strong post-COVID economic recovery in jobs and growth, and alliance-building abroad, but it was heavily criticized for high inflation, a chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, record border encounters, and concerns over his age/fitness that contributed to low public approval and his decision not to seek re-election.[1]
Public opinion at the end of his term was largely negative. Final polls showed approval ratings around 36–42% (CNN ~36% approve/64% disapprove; Gallup and others in the high 30s to low 40s), with majorities viewing his presidency as more of a failure than a success (e.g., 61% failure vs. 38% success in one CNN poll). His average approval across the term was roughly 40–43%. Americans broadly expected history to rate him below average or poor. A 2024 historians’ survey ranked him around 14th among U.S. presidents (ahead of Reagan in that particular poll), partly crediting restoration of norms after Trump, though public and partisan views diverge sharply and later assessments may shift with time.[1][2][3][4][5]
Key Achievements and Positive Aspects
Supporters credit Biden with competent management of crises he inherited, progressive investments with long-term potential (infrastructure, climate, tech), and restoring traditional diplomacy/norms.
Major Criticisms and Shortcomings
Broader Context and Legacy Outlook
Biden took office amid COVID recovery, extreme polarization, and thin Democratic majorities. Global shocks (pandemic aftermath, Ukraine) affected inflation and energy. Many “wins” (infrastructure projects, IRA investments, CHIPS factories) have multi-year timelines, so benefits may become clearer later—historians often revise views with distance.[17]
Bottom line: If you prioritize job growth, industrial policy, climate action, alliance leadership, and ending forever wars, Biden looks relatively successful (especially given constraints). If you prioritize low inflation/cost of living, border control, smooth foreign exits, and high public confidence/competence optics, he looks weaker. Most Americans at the time leaned negative; long-term rankings will hinge on outcomes like Ukraine, climate progress, economic durability, and whether his legislative framework endures. Assessments remain partisan and evolving.
Citations (17)
- https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/15/politics/cnn-poll-biden-presidency
Backs: “It depends on one's political values, priorities, and metrics—there is no objective "yes" or "no." Joe Biden’s presidency (2021–2025) was consequential and mixed: it featured major legislative wins, a strong post-COVID economic recovery in jobs and growth, and alliance-building abroad, but it was heavily criticized…”
- https://news.gallup.com/poll/654650/americans-ratings-biden-tepid-steady.aspx
Backs: “A 2024 historians’ survey ranked him around 14th among U.S. presidents (ahead of Reagan in that particular poll), partly crediting restoration of norms after Trump, though public and partisan views diverge sharply and later assessments may shift with time.”
- https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Polling_Index:_Opinion_polling_during_the_Biden_administration
Backs: “A 2024 historians’ survey ranked him around 14th among U.S. presidents (ahead of Reagan in that particular poll), partly crediting restoration of norms after Trump, though public and partisan views diverge sharply and later assessments may shift with time.”
- https://nytimes.com/2024/02/18/us/politics/biden-trump-presidential-rankings.html
Backs: “A 2024 historians’ survey ranked him around 14th among U.S. presidents (ahead of Reagan in that particular poll), partly crediting restoration of norms after Trump, though public and partisan views diverge sharply and later assessments may shift with time.”
- https://news.gallup.com/poll/654878/americans-think-history-rate-biden-presidency-negatively.aspx
Backs: “A 2024 historians’ survey ranked him around 14th among U.S. presidents (ahead of Reagan in that particular poll), partly crediting restoration of norms after Trump, though public and partisan views diverge sharply and later assessments may shift with time.”
- https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/administration-fact-sheet-the-biden-harris-administration-record
Backs: “The administration highlighted record-low unemployment for certain groups (Black, Latino, women, etc.).”
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2024/11/01/how-the-economy-really-fared-under-bidenharris-and-trump-from-jobs-to-inflation-final-update/
Backs: “The administration highlighted record-low unemployment for certain groups (Black, Latino, women, etc.).”
- https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/19/economy/us-biden-economic-legacy
Backs: “The administration highlighted record-low unemployment for certain groups (Black, Latino, women, etc.).”
- https://www.cfr.org/articles/bidens-legacy-major-accomplishments-unfinished-business
Backs: “Also: first major gun safety law in decades, expanded health coverage (ACA enhancements, record enrollment), Juneteenth holiday, Emmett Till Antilynching Act, and Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.”
- https://theconversation.com/joe-bidens-legacy-four-successes-and-four-failures-246454
Backs: “Also: first major gun safety law in decades, expanded health coverage (ACA enhancements, record enrollment), Juneteenth holiday, Emmett Till Antilynching Act, and Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.”
- https://www.factcheck.org/2024/10/bidens-numbers-2024-pre-election-update/
Backs: “Inflation later eased significantly, but the cumulative hit lingered in perceptions.”
- https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/04/06/politics/pentagon-review-us-withdrawal-from-afghanistan
Backs: “It tanked his early approval ratings, which never fully recovered.”
- https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-kabul-milley-taliban-biden-620fd2ca8187389da38ddcf3f9466fbd
Backs: “It tanked his early approval ratings, which never fully recovered.”
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/02/11/trump-biden-immigration-border-compared/
Backs: “Numbers fell sharply later (executive actions, Mexico cooperation), but the overall scale was a major political liability.”
- https://homeland.house.gov/2024/10/24/startling-stats-factsheet-fiscal-year-2024-ends-with-nearly-3-million-inadmissible-encounters-10-8-million-total-encounters-since-fy2021/
Backs: “Numbers fell sharply later (executive actions, Mexico cooperation), but the overall scale was a major political liability.”
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-mexico-border-migrant-crossings-reach-new-biden-era-low/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17
Backs: “Numbers fell sharply later (executive actions, Mexico cooperation), but the overall scale was a major political liability.”
- https://abcnews.com/Politics/bidens-legacy-historians-weigh-46th-president-remembered/story?id=117625468
Backs: “Many “wins” (infrastructure projects, IRA investments, CHIPS factories) have multi-year timelines, so benefits may become clearer later—historians often revise views with distance.”