As America’s 46th president, Joe Biden is preparing to leave office after a single term. Despite his ambitious plans, his presidency has been characterized by limited follow-through, leading to mixed results in various areas such as drug policy reform and climate change. While Biden’s intentions were commendable, his domestic initiatives often resulted in regulatory challenges, and his international diplomacy became entangled in conflicts he had hoped to avoid. Issues such as student debt, civil liberties, trade, the war on drugs, and economic policies have left the American public feeling disappointed at times.
In his closing remarks at the Democratic National Convention, Biden acknowledged his past mistakes but expressed his commitment to doing his best for the American people. However, his efforts were not sufficient to secure a second term for the Democrats, as Donald Trump is set to return to the White House, potentially undoing much of Biden’s work. Instead of fostering healing, Biden’s presidency has left a divided and polarized nation.
In the January 2025 issue of Reason, we provide a performance review of Joe Biden’s presidency, exploring the impact of his single term and what it signifies for the future.
