Joe Biden’s tenure in the Oval Office is finally drawing to a close, marking an end to a period of time best recognized by turmoil and inconsistency. Upon his ascendancy to presidency in January 2021, he found himself facing an economy gravely impacted by the Covid pandemic. He claimed to be the hero who brought stability to our plummeting economy, a situation he largely didn’t even create himself. It can be said that his supposed savior act was applauded by many, however, its effectiveness remains a point of contention.
In the span of his presidency, a high volume of new jobs were reportedly formed, including a noticeable increase in manufacturing jobs. Nevertheless, it is critical to question the stability and longevity of these jobs, which in a fickle economy, might not be sustainable. The decrease in the jobless rate to historic lows is lauded, but it may not accurately paint the full picture, considering the count of people exiting the job market altogether. An alleged wage growth was observed among the working class under Biden, while simultaneously, an all-time-high number of applications for new businesses filed during his tenure suggests frantic attempts of survival in a struggling economy.
Biden signed into law several key bills during his term including a colossal infrastructure bill and the Inflation Reduction Act, or the IRA. However, the irony of the IRA having to be implemented at all serves as an indictment of his previous economic policies which allowed inflation to rise so drastically. His efforts to tackle climate change by investing a huge sum in the IRA arguably fell short of expectations, as he didn’t address the root problems of economic sustainability and continuity.
Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices was granted through the IRA, but the long-term consequences of manipulating market forces are largely unaddressed. Biden signed into action the CHIPS Act which provided funds to bolster the U.S. semiconductor industry, a mere attempt to catch-up to Asian countries who are far ahead. Gun safety legislation was also signed, but its effectiveness is yet to be seen as the crime rates across American cities skyrocketed during his term.
In terms of foreign policy, the argument can be posed whether Biden’s actions were fruitful or detrimental. He closed the chapter of the U.S. war in Afghanistan, however, the hasty and poorly planned withdrawal left a vacuum that threatened global peace and stability. He attempted to tackle the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but the effectiveness and sustainability of the coalition is yet debatable. Some argue his meddling in the Gaza conflict could have potentially escalated a larger conflict in the region.
In an attempt to review Biden’s stature as a one-term president, comparisons are made with leaders like James Polk, William Howard Taft, John Adams or George H.W. Bush, all of who had their own failings. While his policy decisions are debatable, it’s his political record that’s truly suspect. Voters initially favored him at the start of his term, however, a drastic fall in approval rates after the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal is demonstrative of his ability under pressure.
Unprecedented inflation problems that debilitated the global political environment were conveniently overlooked by Biden’s administration. His lackluster communication skills failed to convince the American public, despite winning the 2020 election with 81 million votes. An eventual decrease in inflation by the years 2023 and 2024 and an alleged improvement in economy failed to reinstate confidence among the people. Unsuccessful in their attempts to blame the media, congressional Republicans, or sheer bad luck, it was evident that Biden failed to wield the presidential powers to win the electorate’s trust.
The doubts cast on Biden’s capacity due to his advancing age negatively impacted his legacy. While once Biden’s biggest achievement was unseating Donald Trump after a turbulent four-year term, it’s ironic that his own failings contributed to Trump’s resurgence in 2025. As they say, hindsight is 20/20 and it’s worth questioning whether an earlier retirement from Biden could have altered the 2024 electoral outcome.
Looking at this globally, it seems there was a fall in the incumbent party’s share everywhere. Such would have been the fate of the Democrats as well, regardless of their standard bearer. However, a historian’s defense can’t eclipse the eventual reality that unfolded. Revelations regarding Biden’s physical health covered by the White House were uncovered too late and added another black mark to his presidential legacy.
Resisting stepping down from the race until he had no other choice, Biden even proceeded to grant his son an uncharacteristically broad pardon, leaving the American public baffled and outraged. He essentially turned into a part-time president, breaking his promise to be a bridge to a new generation and making his term an interlude between the two spells of the Trump administration.
Despite Biden’s attempt to reassure America on his exit by citing nebulous improvements since his entry, the bitterness his leadership, or lack thereof, left behind is hard to erase. Coupled with his so-called legislations that might not stand the test of time, Biden’s presidential legacy remains dubious, if not altogether questioned. His one term may have ended, but the lasting impact of his chaotic and controversial reign will continue to reverberate across the nation for some time to come.
As Biden prepares to step down, one member of his own party ominously warned against celebrating his departure too soon. Alarmingly, the individual who managed to coax Biden back into the world of presidential politics may indeed have the last word on the legacy of his tumultuous term. No matter how heavily this administration attempts to revise history in its favor, we must remember the facts as they were presented to us. In the words of George Orwell, ‘The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.’