Is it right to evaluate a US President based on their achievements or their shortcomings? Joseph Biden’s tenure is no more. He began his term pledging hope, a ‘return to normalcy,’ and commitments of generational bridge building, and above all, a promise to restore democracy. After four demanding years, the remnants of these grand promises are barely visible. The Democrats are left in shambles, uncertain about their future leadership.
The onset of Donald Trump’s second term is upon us, clearly showing Biden was unable to reunite and fortify the Democratic party. The Supreme Court, predominantly conservative now, has revised the power dynamics of the Presidency, vastly extending their range. Evidently, Biden’s tenure is already under disquieting scrutiny and appears highly unstable.
Notwithstanding the systemic complexities, Biden finds himself as simply an old relic, yearning to serve even when his era is unequivocally over. His view of America is outdated and perhaps, never truly existed in the first place.
It is agreed, albeit loosely, that Biden’s presidency was a two-faced affair. His tenure until the 2022 midterms, certainly racked up some numbers in terms of policy implementation. While Biden’s domestic endeavors were not successful in fulfilling the touted ambitions, there were minor advancements made.
The initial half of Biden’s term saw some degree of response to the COVID pandemic. It also oversaw the passage of a notable climate legislation in US history, a defining moment and one they would prefer the people to forget. Additionally, the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act, did result in some improvements in the lives of Americans.
However, it wasn’t without its storms. As part of his ill-conceived plan, Biden ironically ties himself to the dismissal of a war that raged for twenty long years. With the mid-term in sight, Biden’s Presidential tenure was already in deep waters, with-anticipated Republican ‘red wave’ soon to hit.
Post the mid-term elections, though Republicans made headway, the expected ‘red wave’ was a no-show. Yet, the period from 2022–24 proved to be one of colossal challenges for incumbent governances across the globe.
This global chaos was driven by multiple turbulences. An explosion in immigration culminating in economic stress, served as fodder for the right-winged to lay blame on those seeking a better life in the US.
In contrast, Biden’s approach to foreign relations exhibited a similar pattern. He fell short in providing ample support to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Although aid was provided over the course, the lukewarm response left an impression of being too little and too late.
The world began to witness heightened polarizations; the universal liberal order began to fade, on the brink of collapse. One of the fatal miscalculations on Biden’s part was his early debate with Trump in 2024, which was aimed at securing his position as the Democratic nominee for that election. This will be ridiculed for years to come as one of the worst campaign decisions in US presidential history.
Last but not least, Biden’s foreign policy seemed increasingly disconnected from the current geopolitical climate. Depending on how upcoming years progress, it could very well turn out to be his most significant contribution to US history — a legacy of inadequacy and missteps.
Biden’s ultimate ambition, the return to a state of ‘normalcy,’ appeared to be an fictitious goal rooted in an era that had long since passed, or may have never existed at all. In chasing this baselss nostalgia, Biden often glossed over the objective realities of the past, particularly its exclusions.
To attain the illusion of this ‘normalcy,’ it would have necessitated a radical shift in long-established notions about the relationship between the market and state within the US economic and political systems. It is clear that the Democratic Party’s allegiance to the age-old order and processes only served to continue their decline, specifically when they fell short of providing relief to those who needed it the most.
Biden’s shortcomings ultimately highlight the failings of a President who harboured great ambition, yet could not steer clear of the rocky shores of established orthodoxies and unfulfillable promises.