What did Joe Biden achieve and where did he fail as president?
Share:
Joe Biden is into his final days as US president and doubtless has begun to review his legacy as he prepares to hand over to Republican successor (and predecessor) Donald Trump. Mr Biden’s four years at the Oval Office coincided with the pandemic still in full force and the start of major wars in Ukraine and Gaza. At 82, he has made history in becoming the oldest-ever president and, now that he is about to step down, he will want to reflect on his achievements.
Here are some of the successes and failures of the Biden administration. The bill was passed without much hold-up, although Mr Biden had wanted to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour but this was rejected. Mr Biden’s “recovery for everybody” massively increased spending post-Covid-19. Inflation rose to a high of 9.1 per cent in June 2022 but efforts to reduce it were successful and it came down to 2.4 per cent by September 2024. However, food prices did rise by 22 per cent during his presidency.
![[Joe Biden,Donald Trump]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2024/11/13/16/04/Joe-Biden-Donald-Trump-rqxfti2g.jpeg?quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
The US unemployment rate had shrunk from 6.4 per cent under Mr Trump at the end of his term to 4.1 per cent in October 2024 and the stock market also rallied. “Next month, my administration will end and a new administration will begin,” said Mr Biden. “The new administration’s going to inherit a very strong economy, at least at the moment.
![[TOPSHOT-US-UKRAINE-NATO-SUMMIT-DIPLOMACY-BIDEN]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2024/07/12/6/56/TOPSHOT-US-UKRAINE-NATO-SUMMIT-DIPLOMACY-BIDEN-a53qoo66.jpeg?quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
“I know it’s been hard for many Americans to see. And I understand it. They’re just trying to figure out how to put three squares on the table.”. He implemented further checks for people buying guns, ensured greater rights for LGBT marriages and made Juneteenth a federal holiday.
![[U.S. President Joe Biden visits Cleveland, Ohio]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2021/05/28/07/2021-05-27T195558Z_612653624_RC2JON9WVPTJ_RTRMADP_3_USA-BIDEN.JPG?quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
