Presidency of Joe Biden
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| Presidency of Joe Biden | |
|---|---|
 Adam Schultz · Public domain · source | |
| Name | Joseph R. Biden Jr. |
| Office | President of the United States |
| Party | Democratic Party |
| Term start | January 20, 2021 |
| Term end | Incumbent |
| Vice president | Kamala Harris |
| Predecessor | Donald Trump |
Presidency of Joe Biden
Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s presidency began after the 2020 United States presidential election and the 2021 inauguration. Biden, a former United States Senator and Vice President under Barack Obama, led an administration characterized by ambitious domestic proposals, a reorientation of foreign policy from the prior administration, and responses to multiple national and international crises.
Background and 2020 Election
Biden secured the 2020 nomination of the Democratic Party after a primary contest involving Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, and Amy Klobuchar. He chose Kamala Harris as his running mate and faced incumbent Donald Trump and running mate Mike Pence in a campaign framed by the COVID-19 pandemic, debates over the George Floyd demonstrations, and disputes about the presidential debates. Key battleground states included Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Georgia, where challenges to results invoked the Supreme Court and state election officials such as Brad Raffensperger. The transition followed certification by the United States Congress and the counting of Electoral College votes amid the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol.
Cabinet, Administration, and Staffing
Biden assembled a Cabinet confirmed by the United States Senate, including Antony Blinken at Secretary of State, Lloyd Austin at Secretary of Defense, Janet Yellen at Secretary of the Treasury, and Merrick Garland at Attorney General. His administration emphasized diversity with nominees like Deb Haaland to Secretary of the Interior and Xavier Becerra to Secretary of Health and Human Services. Staffing drew from figures associated with Barack Obama, Joe Biden's Senate career, and policy experts linked to institutions such as Brookings Institution, Center for American Progress, and Council on Foreign Relations. Confirmation battles occurred over nominees in the Senate committees and drew attention from media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN.
Domestic Policy and Legislative Agenda
Biden advanced major legislative priorities including the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and proposals resembling the Build Back Better Plan. Domestic initiatives aimed at addressing the COVID-19 pandemic involved coordination with agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and programs like the Operation Warp Speed successor efforts. His agenda encompassed proposals on health care expansion, Clean Air Act-adjacent climate measures, and reform efforts touching on immigration and voting rights, with debates in the United States Congress involving leaders such as Chuck Schumer and Kevin McCarthy. Legislative outcomes were shaped by Senate mechanisms including the filibuster, reconciliation under Byrd Rule, and judiciary interactions with the United States Supreme Court.
Economic Policy and Fiscal Actions
Economic actions emphasized pandemic relief, fiscal stimulus, and infrastructure investment. The administration worked with Janet Yellen at the United States Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve under Jerome Powell on recovery measures, addressing unemployment, and supply-chain disruptions involving ports like Port of Los Angeles. Tax proposals targeted corporations and high-income individuals, engaging debate with economists at institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Inflation, measured against indices like the Consumer Price Index, influenced Federal Reserve policy and congressional discourse led by figures including Nancy Pelosi and Ron Wyden. Budget negotiations involved the Office of Management and Budget and produced debates over the debt ceiling with Members like Mitch McConnell and Steny Hoyer.
Foreign Policy and National Security
Biden's foreign policy signaled a return to alliances including NATO and the G7. Major actions included the withdrawal from Afghanistan culminating in the 2021 Kabul airlift, shifts in posture toward China with diplomatic contacts involving Xi Jinping, and support for Ukraine during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine including sanctions coordinated with the European Union and G7. The administration rejoined the Paris Agreement and engaged multilaterally through forums like the United Nations and the World Health Organization. National security decisions involved the Department of Defense, cyber policy addressing incidents attributed to actors such as Russian Federation-linked groups, and arms control dialogues with Russia and China.
Major Crises and Responses
Biden navigated crises including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response with vaccination campaigns involving Pfizer–BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, and the humanitarian and energy implications of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Domestic emergencies such as extreme weather events tied to Climate change—notably storms affecting Texas and wildfires in California—prompted federal responses coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The administration confronted immigration challenges on the United States–Mexico border and managed supply-chain strains affecting industries like automotive and semiconductor manufacturing involving companies such as Intel and General Motors.
Public Image, Approval, and Legacy
Public perception of Biden has been tracked by pollsters including Gallup, Pew Research Center, and FiveThirtyEight, reflecting fluctuating approval ratings amid debates over inflation, public health, and foreign policy crises such as Ukraine. Media coverage across outlets including Fox News, MSNBC, and The New York Times shaped narratives about leadership and effectiveness. Legacy assessments weigh achievements in legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, reengagement with international accords such as the Paris Agreement, and contentious episodes like the Afghanistan evacuation. Historians and commentators at institutions including the Brookings Institution and Hoover Institution continue to evaluate long-term impacts on American politics and global order.