Joe Biden’s presidency: achievements overshadowed by controversy and division

Joe Biden rose to the presidency with promises to unite the nation, strengthen his party, and uphold democracy. Yet, as the 82-year-old prepares to leave the Oval Office, he departs a divided country, a fractured Democratic Party, and growing questions about his commitment to the rule of law. Many Democrats blame Biden for inadvertently paving the way for Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Critics accuse the aging president of staying in office too long and express outrage over his controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. Adding to their frustrations, Biden recently admitted doubts about his ability to serve another term—even after dismissing voters’ concerns on the issue during his reelection campaign. The tensions extend beyond his critics. Biden himself has expressed resentment toward members of his own party. Following the November election, he reportedly considered pardoning Trump as a symbolic gesture of goodwill, though it’s unclear how seriously he entertained the idea. A White House official denied the claim, but Biden’s relationships with several key allies have frayed, leaving him increasingly isolated during his final months in office. This turbulent conclusion is a stark contrast to Biden’s decades-long career in public service. “The Joe Biden story is one of the great tragedies of American politics,” said veteran Democratic strategist James Carville. “He should be enjoying a well-deserved, celebrated retirement. Instead, he’s stuck in a situation largely of his own making.” Despite warnings from polls and party insiders in 2023, Biden pursued reelection but withdrew in July following a disastrous debate that raised questions about his cognitive abilities. His late decision gave Vice President Kamala Harris only 107 days to mount an unsuccessful campaign against Trump. Throughout his presidency, Biden gave fewer interviews than his predecessors and plans to skip the traditional end-of-term press conference. Inside the White House, the atmosphere is described as somber, with one insider likening it to a morgue. Biden reportedly alternates between feelings of melancholy, frustration, and resignation as he reflects on his legacy. Once praised as a uniter and a bridge to the next generation, Biden now finds himself estranged from key allies, including former President Barack Obama, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and longtime advisers Anita Dunn and Bob Bauer. Disagreements over his son’s legal troubles and the fallout from his withdrawal from the 2024 race deepened divisions within his inner circle. Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter Biden on federal gun and tax charges sparked backlash from Democrats, some of whom viewed it as a betrayal of his pledge to uphold institutional norms. The president defended the decision as a response to “raw politics,” claiming it exposed a miscarriage of justice. Despite the controversies, Biden points to his achievements, such as landmark economic legislation and uniting global allies to support Ukraine. Yet these accomplishments have been overshadowed by criticisms of his immigration policies, economic messaging, and handling of pandemic-era programs. His approval rating remains dismal, sitting at 36%. In hindsight, Biden’s legacy might have been brighter had he stepped aside in 2023, leaving on a high note. Instead, as Carville noted, “Joe Biden had many successful acts in his life. Unfortunately, you’re remembered for your last act. Right now, he’s remembered as the guy who stayed too long.”