WASHINGTON — When he assumed the presidency, Joe Biden aimed to initiate a significant and transformative change in the nation, dubbing his mission a kind of national restoration. His objective was to “restore the soul” of America and demonstrate that Donald Trump’s impact would merely be a minor episode in the broader American narrative, rather than serving as a pivotal chapter.
Historian Sean Wilentz characterized Biden’s vision as “let’s try to get things back to normal as best we can.” However, the outcome did not follow that envisioned path. While Biden made notable achievements in bipartisan agreements and fostering international alliances, he struggled to move past the shadow of Trump. Remarkably, four years after voters selected Biden over Trump, they reversed their decision, placing Trump back in a position of power. This result is a significant disappointment for the elder statesman, who now approaches the final stages of his lengthy political career—a reality that may heavily influence his historical reputation.
According to Wilentz, a Princeton University professor, “The fact is, the abnormality did not end.” He believes Biden may not have fully grasped the difficulties he was up against in attempting to pivot from Trump’s influence. Trump’s potential return epitomizes the constraints on Biden’s capability to steer the country’s course in the way that successful past presidents managed. As his single term nears its conclusion, Biden openly acknowledged in his farewell address that the key promise he made upon taking office remains unmet. He described America as being in a state of “constant struggle, a short distance between peril and possibility.”
In this farewell speech, Biden asserted that “our democracy has held strong, and every day I’ve upheld my pledge to be president for all Americans during one of the toughest periods in our nation’s history.” Meanwhile, public opinion has swiftly shifted, with only a quarter of Americans rating Biden positively, reflecting a drop in approval compared to Trump when he exited office following the events of January 6, 2021, amidst the pandemic’s peak.
Biden’s allies maintain that perspectives on his presidency will evolve over time. Steve Ricchetti, who has been a close advisor to Biden and served as White House counselor, expressed confidence that the administration’s efforts, even if they did not lead to electoral victory, played a role in positively transforming the country. Ricchetti contended that Biden’s approach could serve as a blueprint for future leaders looking to address the damage left in Trump’s wake.
As Trump prepares to take office once more, he is positioning himself for an even bolder effort to redefine national policies, raising doubts—even among Biden’s supporters—about whether Biden was merely a brief detour from a more populist and right-leaning trajectory in American politics. Senator Chris Coons, hailing from Biden’s home state of Delaware, posed a thought-provoking question: “Which one is the aberration, Biden or Trump?” He reflected uncertainty about whether the United States has shifted permanently in a populist direction.
Biden’s journey from a youthful political novice to an aging leader has been both advantageous and challenging. He made history as the youngest senator in the United States upon taking office at the age of 30 in 1973, the minimum age stipulated by the Constitution. Following two unsuccessful presidential campaigns, he joined Barack Obama in 2008 as vice president. At this stage, Biden had established himself as a political veteran, with advisor David Axelrod noting that selecting Biden was beneficial precisely because of his age—too advanced to run for president again once Obama completed his term.
Biden’s narrative took an unexpected turn following a personal tragedy—the death of his son from cancer—which initially pushed him away from politics. However, he was revitalized to re-enter the race after Trump’s controversial remarks regarding racial violence. Despite skepticism about his viability, Biden persevered to claim the Democratic nomination, fortuitously aligned with the public’s desire for empathy amid the pandemic, juxtaposing himself against Trump’s perceived indifference during the crisis.
Taking the presidential oath, Biden prominently displayed a portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the Oval Office, signaling his ambition for significant change rather than mere transitional leadership. Throughout his tenure, he implemented substantial legislation focused on infrastructure, clean energy, and economic recovery, alongside measures to reduce prescription drug costs and tighten gun regulations. Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut emphasized the formidable opposition Biden tackled, remarking, “Biden beat them all.”
Nonetheless, Biden faced setbacks regarding other social initiatives, such as efforts to decrease childcare costs and sustainable child poverty programs. Rising inflation also generated dissent against his spending measures. Internationally, Biden encountered obstacles, with a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan followed by a commitment to support Ukraine against Russian aggression. His steadfast support for Israel after the Hamas attack also drew criticism from members of his own party advocating for Palestinian protections.
As Biden’s grasp on the presidency weakened, the political landscape shifted in favor of Trump. Voter discontent grew alongside concerns over economic factors like rising inflation and immigration challenges. David Axelrod remarked on Biden’s ambition for historic significance, suggesting that this desire made it difficult for him to recognize failures or admit mistakes.
Even in the face of these challenges, Biden launched his reelection campaign, despite being set to turn 86 by the end of a second term. This decision drew parallels to Roosevelt’s determination to seek an unprecedented fourth term amidst declining health during World War II. Biden, dismissing concerns regarding his age, remained steadfast in believing that he could prevail against Trump once more. However, he ultimately withdrew from the race after a disappointing debate performance, instilling a sense of uncertainty within the party unified solely by the goal of halting Trump’s resurgence. This dread persisted even after Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who also faced defeat.
Following the election, Biden reflected on his presidency from the Rose Garden, characterizing it as historic and encouraging Americans to remain engaged in democratic processes. “The American experiment endures, and we’re going to be OK, but we need to stay engaged,” he urged. Ben LaBolt, the White House communications director, likened Biden’s experience to that of previous presidents like Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson, who faced unpopularity yet initiated significant changes beneficial for the nation.
When questioned whether he regretted running for reelection and if this decision contributed to Trump’s revival, Biden was resolute in his stance, asserting, “I don’t think so,” and suggesting that he could have emerged victorious had he remained in the race.