When Joe Biden assumed the presidency, he aimed to perform nothing less than a national cleansing, vowing to “restore the soul” of America and overturn the narrative that Donald Trump would dominate the country’s history. Biden’s intent was simple: to return to a semblance of normalcy. However, as historian Sean Wilentz articulated after meeting with Biden, the reality turned out to be much more complex.
Despite being able to forge bipartisan agreements and strengthen international alliances, Biden found it challenging to move beyond the Trump era. In a significant electoral shift, after four years of Biden’s leadership, voters opted to reelect Trump, marking a stark reversal for a seasoned politician. This outcome is not merely a defeat but a defining moment that could shape how Biden’s presidency will be perceived in the future. Wilentz noted that the persistent “abnormality” in American politics may have been underestimated by Biden.
As Biden prepares to give his farewell address from the Oval Office, he faces an uncertain legacy. His tenure, although marked by achievements, has been shadowed by the looming threat of Trump’s return to power. Consequently, Biden must grapple with the contrast between his aspirations for transformation and the harsh realities that unfolded during his administration.
The public perception of Biden offers little solace; a recent poll indicates that only 25% of Americans consider him a good or great president, a figure lower than that of Trump following his tumultuous exit from the White House after the January 6 Capitol riots and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, Biden’s supporters are optimistic that historical perspectives may evolve over time.
Longtime Biden aide Steve Ricchetti expressed confidence that the foundations laid during Biden’s presidency have the potential to effect positive change in the long run, offering a framework that future leaders may utilize to address the issues caused during Trump’s term. He asserted that there remains potential for a future presidency modeled on Biden’s efforts.
As Trump approaches his return to office, he is poised to engage in an even more assertive campaign to reshape national policies than he did previously. This resurgence raises questions among Biden’s supporters about whether his presidency was merely a momentary pause in a broader shift toward right-wing populism in the United States.
Senator Chris Coons, sharing doubts about the trajectory of American politics, asked whether Biden’s presidency might be seen as a temporary deviation from a more lasting right-wing movement. Coons admitted he remains uncertain about the future direction of the country.
Biden has experienced a significant political transformation throughout his career. He became the youngest senator in U.S. history when he took office at the age of 30. After two failed presidential runs, he became Barack Obama’s vice president in 2008, during which time he gained extensive political experience.
At the time, Biden was perceived as a well-established figure, considered “too old” to run for the presidency again at 74 post-Obama. However, after the death of his son, Biden found renewed purpose and once again entered the political fray, ultimately claiming the Democratic nomination in a climate ripe for his message of empathy and competence.
By the time he was inaugurated, Biden had hung a portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the Oval Office, signaling his ambition to enact significant change rather than simply serve as a transitional figure. His administration marked the beginnings of wide-ranging investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and public health, alongside efforts to regulate prescription drug costs and tighten gun control measures.
Despite these accomplishments, Biden struggled to fulfill many of his broader social service ambitions due to rising inflation and political backlash. Furthermore, international crises, such as the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the ongoing war in Ukraine, posed significant challenges for his presidency.
As issues like inflation and immigration grew increasingly urgent, Biden’s pledges faced public skepticism, leading to a resurgence in Trump’s popularity. Amid this turmoil, former advisor David Axelrod noted that Biden’s desire to be a historic figure may have hampered his ability to acknowledge mistakes.
Even after declaring his intention to run for reelection at the age of 86, Biden faced a painful decline in confidence following a lackluster debate against Trump, leading him to step back from the race. Despite his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, she was unable to secure the presidency.
In his final address from the Rose Garden, Biden reflected optimistically about his presidency, encouraging the nation to remain engaged and hopeful about the future. His communications director drew parallels between Biden and other presidents who faced unpopularity while achieving monumental tasks during turbulent times.
When asked whether he regretted running for reelection, Biden maintained his belief in his own electoral viability, asserting that he could have won if he had remained in the race. This conviction illustrates his enduring confidence in his political legacy, even as the next chapter in American politics looms imminent.
