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President Joe Biden’s exit from the White House on Monday, Jan 20, signals a step into the unknown. Originally elected to public office at the age of 27, the 82-year-old Joe Biden holds one of the most seasoned political portfolios in the history of the United States. As President Trump returns to Washington D.C., there is no certainty that Biden’s presidency will be remembered for its accomplishments.
To understand the legacy of Biden’s administration, we must revisit the monumental challenges it faced when he took the oath of office. When Biden entered office, his administration inherited a polarized country after the January 6 riots, the worst pandemic in over a century, a stagnating economy, and unstable relationships abroad. Nevertheless, Biden’s ability to overcome these obstacles demonstrated tremendous political resilience and courage in retrospect—a reflection of the personal trials he endured.
In his childhood, the Biden family faced hardships, one of which was his father’s unemployment. Biden frequently reflects upon Joe Sr.’s determination during this time, drawing strength from it as he confronted the death of his wife, his oldest son, and one-year-old daughter, while supporting his youngest son, Hunter, in his battle against substance abuse.
It is unfortunate that Biden’s presidency might be remembered for its mistakes. Just eight months into his tenure, Biden oversaw a botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. As the Taliban regained control of the country, tens of thousands of Afghan allies and U.S. military equipment were behind, damaging the US’s global standing. Global conflicts escalated in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. Protests erupted across U.S. universities, and many opposed his potential escalation of the war in Ukraine. Despite implementing comprehensive economic policies to address inflation, high prices persisted, weakening Kamala Harris’ prospects for the presidency. Lastly, the ongoing U.S.-Mexico border crisis under Biden became a rallying point for the Republican base. Another significant issue during Biden’s administration was its inability to resolve the US-Mexico border crisis. Since taking office in January 2021, U.S. border officials had overseen “record highs” of encounters with migrants, a fact that was costly to the Democrats during the recent election.
In the end, I believe that Biden’s presidency will be remembered for its final few months. Despite having praised Biden’s perseverance in the face of adversity, his tenacity became his hamartia. After his poor performance in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election, Biden’s decision to continue running for nearly a month afterward severely damaged Harris’ campaign. His stubbornness blinded him to the realities of his declining physical and mental condition, leading to a political decision unbecoming of a man with decades of political experience in the nation’s capital. As a result, many may regretfully remember Biden’s presidency for its tragic demise.
As likely as this is, it shouldn’t be. Biden’s administration was unique in the twenty-first century, particularly due to its economic policies. While recent Democratic presidents, such as Clinton and Obama, have favoured neoliberal approaches, Biden championed U.S. manufacturing through industrial policy, government spending, and his emphasis on unemployment relief. Instead of offshoring production, Biden invested billions into the U.S., notably through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. His working-class background informed his policies, balancing an economically nationalistic view with environmental and international priorities. This approach worked, as by the end of his tenure Biden had created over 16.6 million jobs, surpassing Jimmy Carter’s 10.3 million jobs created in a single term. Despite soaring inflation rates and prices, Biden’s ability to revive the economy was a tremendous accomplishment.
Internationally, Biden displayed steadfast leadership. He donated 1.2 billion COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries, reinforced U.S. ties to NATO, and committed to the defence of Ukraine. One of Biden’s most significant achievements is securing the Gaza ceasefire. He succeeded in deescalating the Israel-Gaza war, curbing Israel’s actions in the Middle East, and demonstrating his diplomatic prowess by navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.
Ultimately, Biden’s presidency should not be remembered for its lows, but for its highs. While his political tenacity was ultimately his downfall, it carried him through a career spanning 55 years and a largely successful presidency.
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