Administration of Joe Biden
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| Administration of Joe Biden | |
|---|---|
 Adam Schultz · Public domain · source | |
| Name | Presidency of Joe Biden |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Party | Democratic Party |
| Start | January 20, 2021 |
| Predecessor | Donald Trump |
| Vice president | Kamala Harris |
| Election | 2020 election |
Administration of Joe Biden
Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s presidency began with his inauguration on January 20, 2021, following the 2020 election victory over Donald Trump. The Biden administration pursued an agenda emphasizing pandemic response, infrastructure, climate action, and alliances, while confronting legal challenges, congressional negotiation with Congress, and electoral repercussions in the 2022 elections and 2024 election cycle.
Background and 2020 Election
Biden, a long-serving Senator from Delaware and former Vice President under Barack Obama, secured the Democratic nomination after contests featuring Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, and Amy Klobuchar. His running mate, Kamala Harris, became the ticket's choice amid debates over policy positions shared with figures like Joe Manchin and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The campaign centered on defeating Donald Trump and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic effects resembling crises seen during the Great Recession; post-election disputes involved suits before the Supreme Court and certification controversies resolved in state capitols such as Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Domestic Policy and Legislation
The administration advanced major legislative priorities including the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and proposals framed as the Build Back Better Plan. Legislative negotiation involved chamber leaders like Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer and bipartisan outreach to figures such as Susan Collins and Mitt Romney. Domestic initiatives targeted public health interventions coordinated with agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and funding routed through programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. Education and student debt measures intersected with rulings from the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and advocacy by organizations such as National Education Association. Pandemic-era mandates and regulatory actions prompted litigation involving state attorneys general including Ken Paxton and Letitia James.
Economic Policy and Budgetary Actions
Fiscal policy under Biden included the passage of stimulus measures, tax proposals, and budget submissions to Congress featuring allocations for infrastructure, climate, and social programs. The administration faced inflationary pressures assessed by the Federal Reserve and supply-chain disruptions tied to global events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022–2023 global supply chain crisis. Treasury actions involved Janet Yellen and coordination with multilateral institutions including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Trade and industrial policy engaged with counterparts in the European Union, China, and supply initiatives like the CHIPS and Science Act. Budget negotiations prompted clashes with committees chaired by Jerrold Nadler and Kevin McCarthy and reconciliation strategies invoking rules set by the Senate Parliamentarian.
Foreign Policy and National Security
Foreign policy prioritized repairing alliances with NATO partners like United Kingdom, Germany, and France, and re-entering agreements such as the Paris Agreement. The administration managed crises including the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which involved operations with United States Central Command and drew scrutiny from veterans organizations and lawmakers like Lindsey Graham. Responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine included sanctions coordinated with the European Union and military aid routed through the Department of Defense. Relations with China encompassed trade, technology competition exemplified by tensions over companies like Huawei, and dialogues with leaders such as Xi Jinping. Counterterrorism efforts continued cooperation with partners in regions including the Sahel and involved agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Council.
Judicial Appointments and Legal Actions
The president nominated judges to federal courts, including appointments to the Courts of Appeals and district courts, shaping the federal judiciary alongside confirmations overseen by the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. A landmark nomination was to the Supreme Court vacancy discussions that engaged figures like Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation precedents. Executive actions and regulatory rollbacks from the prior administration produced litigation in venues such as the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, with cases often argued by the United States Department of Justice.
Governance, Administration, and Staffing
Staffing choices included cabinet nominees such as Antony Blinken at State and Lloyd Austin at Defense, confirmed by Senate votes reflecting partisan divisions. Senior staff and advisors came from public service and think tanks including the Brookings Institution and Center for American Progress, and management of executive agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Homeland Security shaped administrative implementation. Ethics reviews, vetting processes, and executive orders invoked authorities under the United States Constitution and internal oversight by the Office of Management and Budget and Government Accountability Office.
Public Perception, Approval, and Elections Impact
Public approval tracked through polls by organizations such as Gallup, Pew Research Center, and FiveThirtyEight, with approval influenced by developments like inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic trajectory, and foreign crises including the Russo-Ukrainian War. Political consequences were evident in the 2022 midterms, where results affected control of the United States House of Representatives and influenced legislative bargaining ahead of the 2024 United States presidential election. Media coverage spanned outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Fox News, while advocacy groups from the left and right, including MoveOn and the Heritage Foundation, shaped public debate.