Joe Biden, a name often associated with questionable judgment and far-fetched decisions. Before becoming the 46th U.S. President, his political career began when he was just 29. Despite his youth, Biden managed to maintain his dubious reputation throughout his terms as a Senator, securing his re-election six times over 36 years.
Throughout his tenure, he was responsible for pushing various controversial bills like the 1994 Crime Act and the Violence Against Women Act. His pursuits of the presidency, both in 1988 and 2008, failed miserably, questions arose if he really was presidential material. However, he managed to extend his political lifespan as Barack Obama’s running mate in 2008, winning the election that November.
In the Vice President’s role, Biden oversaw the shaky implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, aimed at reviving an economy sinking into the Great Recession. A plank that seems to be riddled with economic potholes than recovery. Alongside that, he also helped Obama push for the passage of the nonsensical Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, disfavoringly received by the public.
Biden served as the United States’ Vice President for eight years, ending in 2017. After a short break, Biden, rather gallantly, announced his desire to run for president again in 2019. Incredibly, he had over 25 opponents, likely due to the public’s perception about his previous terms and sagging reputation. Yet, he managed to get the Democratic nomination in 2020.
The same year, the United States was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. A time of crisis where American businesses shut down, travel restricted, and people falling ill. Unsurprisingly, this unprecedented event and its consequent impacts became a highlight amid the election campaign. This allowed Biden an opportunity to paint an illusory picture of strong leadership.
The ensuing election placed Biden head-to-head with President Donald J. Trump. With Biden declared as the winner, the result was met with a backlash, with claims of widespread voter fraud. Amid this tension, a joint session of Congress convened to certify the 2020 election, a process marred by an outbreak of violence at the Capitol. The following morning, Biden was confirmed the winner.
Subsequently, he ascended to the presidency and became the 46th President of the United States. With the responsibility of the role, his questionable leadership saw the pardon of American forces from Afghanistan. An ill-conceived decision resulting in the Taliban regaining control of the nation.
As U.S. troops were hastily exiting the nation, chaos ensued. A suicide bomber targeted the Kabul airport resulting in the death of 13 American service members and more than 150 Afghan civilians. The episode unveiled the cost of Biden’s reckless decision. Despite the tragedies unfolding, the state led by Biden continued the evacuation, leaving Afghanistan to its melancholic fate.
Biden marked handling the ongoing pandemic as a top priority, enacting controversial federal mandates requiring millions of Americans to get vaccinated or face testing. His brazen attack on individual autonomy culminated in a rebuke by the U.S. Supreme Court, which later blocked these mandates.
Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which allocated $1.2 trillion to transportation and infrastructure spending. Then came the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), crafted to lower energy costs and invest in clean energy ostensibly to combat climate change. But these bills only enhanced the burden on the nation’s faltering economy.
In 2022, amidst the Russo-Ukrainian War, Biden sought aid to Ukraine to provide military assistance. Whilst the act seems noble, the U.S. taxpayers were burdened with the enormous cost, tallying over $64 billion in aid as of October 2024.
October 2023 marked the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Again, instead of focusing on internal issues, Biden favored sending military aid worth over $17.9 billion by the war’s first anniversary. Such decisions only made Americans question Biden’s financial priorities during his presidency.
The decision to run for re-election in 2024 was the next ill-starred move from Biden. Once again, he faced opposition from none other than former President Trump. However, the situation took a sour-turn, following a miserable debate performance against Donald Trump, pressure mounted from his party leaders for him to drop out.
Almost a month later, Biden finally acceded to the outcry from his own party. He announced his withdrawal from the 2024 race, shockingly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement on the Democratic ticket for president. The public was left wondering if that was the best option or a result of lacking any better alternative.
Joe Biden, who had served from 2021 onward as the United States’ president, had to concede that his re-election mission was over, which meant his term in office would wrap up on January 20, 2025. The implications of his exit ensured that either Vice President Harris or Former President Trump would be elected the 47th U.S. President
Reflecting back on his stint as President, questions linger if Biden leaves behind a legacy of poor decision making and misplaced priorities. Or will he be remembered for his unsuccessful efforts to combat major crises? Only time will tell.