Last Updated on July 23, 2025 by ThePublic
The claim that President Joe Biden “did nothing” during his term from 2021 to 2025 is a common critique, often fueled by political polarization or dissatisfaction with specific outcomes. However, an objective review of Biden’s record reveals significant legislative and policy achievements, particularly in economic recovery, infrastructure, and social policy.
While Biden’s presidency faced challenges, such as persistent inflation and low approval ratings, he accomplished more than critics often acknowledge.
Comparing his record to that of former President Donald Trump’s first term (2017–2021) provides a clearer picture of their respective impacts. This article evaluates Biden’s key accomplishments, why he may not be considered a “great” president by some, and how his record stacks up against Trump’s, arguing that Biden was, at minimum, a good president who delivered meaningful results despite significant obstacles.
Biden’s Major Accomplishments
Biden’s presidency was marked by several landmark achievements, many of which addressed long-standing national needs or responded to immediate crises. Below are his most notable accomplishments:
- Economic Recovery Post-COVID
Biden inherited an economy reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, with high unemployment and disrupted supply chains. His administration oversaw a robust recovery, adding 15 million jobs, reducing the unemployment rate to a 53-year low of 3.4% in January 2023, and achieving record-low unemployment for Black and Hispanic workers. Real GDP grew by 8.4% during his term, outpacing the 6.8% growth during Trump’s presidency, despite the latter’s pre-COVID stability. The American Rescue Plan Act (2021), a $1.9 trillion stimulus package, fueled this recovery by providing direct payments to households, extending unemployment benefits, and supporting small businesses, contributing to seven straight quarters of economic growth by 2023. - Historic Legislative Achievements
Biden, a veteran lawmaker, leveraged bipartisan cooperation to pass transformative legislation:- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021): This $1 trillion bill funded roads, bridges, broadband, and public transit, marking the largest infrastructure investment since Eisenhower’s era.
- CHIPS and Science Act (2022): Investing $280 billion in domestic semiconductor manufacturing, this act bolstered U.S. technological competitiveness and created high-quality jobs.
- Inflation Reduction Act (2022): This $370 billion package was the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history, offering tax credits for clean energy and electric vehicles while reducing healthcare costs through measures like capping insulin prices.
These bills were passed with bipartisan support, showcasing Biden’s ability to navigate a divided Congress, unlike Trump, whose major legislative win was the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, which lowered taxes but lacked bipartisan backing.
- Labor and Consumer Protections
Biden’s administration was notably pro-labor, with actions like banning noncompete agreements, expanding overtime pay, and protecting workers’ pensions. He became the first president to walk a picket line with striking autoworkers, signaling strong support for unions. The Federal Trade Commission under Biden tackled monopoly power, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was revitalized to protect consumers, a contrast to its dormancy under Trump. - Healthcare Expansion
Biden doubled the number of Americans with access to affordable healthcare through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with 25 million enrolled by 2025 compared to 12 million in Trump’s final year. The American Rescue Plan increased tax credits and capped premiums, making coverage more accessible. Trump, conversely, failed to repeal the ACA despite campaign promises, leaving healthcare policy largely unchanged. - Foreign Policy and NATO
Biden strengthened NATO unity in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a stark contrast to Trump’s skepticism of the alliance. His administration ended the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, though the chaotic withdrawal drew criticism. Trump’s foreign policy included withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate agreement, moves that isolated the U.S. internationally.
Comparing Biden’s Record to Trump’s First Term
Trump’s first term had its own achievements, but they differ in scope and approach:
- Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017): Trump’s signature legislative achievement reduced individual and corporate tax rates, doubling the estate tax exemption. However, most individual provisions expire in 2025, and the TCJA added to the federal deficit without the broad economic stimulus promised. Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, by contrast, included targeted tax increases on corporations and high earners, aiming for fiscal responsibility.
- Economic Performance Pre-COVID: Before the pandemic, Trump’s economy saw steady growth (6.8% GDP increase), low unemployment (3.5% in early 2020), and strong stock market performance (16.3% annualized S&P 500 return). However, the COVID-19 recession erased much of this progress, with unemployment spiking to 14.9% in April 2020. Biden’s economy, while grappling with inflation, outperformed Trump’s in job creation and GDP growth.
- Deregulation: Trump prioritized deregulation, cutting federal regulations at a historic pace, though 77.5% of his administration’s regulatory proposals were overturned in court, far above the average of 30%. Biden, conversely, used regulations to advance labor and environmental protections, with greater legal success.
- Judicial Appointments: Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices and numerous lower-court judges, reshaping the judiciary with a conservative bent. Biden appointed one Supreme Court justice and fewer lower-court judges, limited by fewer vacancies.
- Immigration: Trump issued 472 executive actions on immigration, focusing on border security, though his promised border wall saw limited progress. Biden faced record-high border encounters (2.48 million in fiscal 2023), with Republicans blocking bipartisan immigration reform.
Why Biden Wasn’t a “Great” President
Despite these accomplishments, several factors prevented Biden from being widely regarded as a great president:
- Inflation Challenges: Inflation surged to 9.1% in mid-2022, driven by global supply chain issues and stimulus spending (some initiated under Trump). While inflation dropped to 3.3% by mid-2024, real wages fell 2.14% during Biden’s term, eroding public confidence. Trump’s term saw lower inflation (7.1% over 45 months), giving him an edge in public perception.
- Low Approval Ratings: Biden’s approval rating averaged 43.2%, dipping to 38.4% at its lowest, compared to Trump’s 42.5% average. Persistent inflation, high gas prices (peaking at $5 per gallon in 2022), and concerns about Biden’s age and mental sharpness fueled public discontent.
- Partisan Polarization: Biden campaigned on uniting the country but failed to bridge the partisan divide, with the MAGA wing of the Republican Party growing more entrenched. Trump also faced polarization but leveraged it to maintain a loyal base, reflected in his 41% “good or great president” rating compared to Biden’s 28%.
- Afghanistan Withdrawal: The chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal damaged Biden’s credibility, overshadowing the achievement of ending the war.
- Communication Struggles: Biden’s reserved communication style and limited press conferences (fewer than any president since Reagan) hindered his ability to sell his achievements. Trump’s prolific media presence, including daily coronavirus briefings, kept him more visible, even if controversial.
Why Biden Was a Good President
Despite these shortcomings, Biden’s presidency was undeniably productive. His legislative successes, particularly in infrastructure, technology, and climate, rival or surpass those of recent presidents, including Trump. His ability to pass bipartisan bills in a divided Congress demonstrates political skill, contrasting with Trump’s reliance on Republican majorities for the TCJA. Biden’s focus on working-class policies, like labor protections and healthcare expansion, aligns with historic Democratic priorities, earning praise as the most economically populist presidency since FDR. Moreover, his administration’s economic recovery metrics, job growth, GDP, and unemployment, outperformed expectations and often surpassed Trump’s pre-COVID figures.
Biden’s foreign policy, while flawed in execution (e.g., Afghanistan), strengthened alliances like NATO, addressing global challenges more collaboratively than Trump’s isolationist approach. His healthcare achievements built on Obama’s legacy, contrasting with Trump’s failure to reform or replace the ACA. While inflation and communication issues marred his tenure, Biden’s record shows a president who delivered tangible results under difficult circumstances, including a global pandemic recovery and a polarized political landscape.
Conclusion
The narrative that Biden “did nothing” is demonstrably false. His administration passed transformative legislation, drove a strong economic recovery, and advanced labor and healthcare policies, often outperforming Trump’s first term in key metrics like job creation and GDP growth. However, high inflation, low approval ratings, and communication challenges prevented him from achieving “greatness” in the eyes of many. Compared to Trump, Biden’s legislative and bipartisan achievements were more substantial, though Trump’s pre-COVID economic stability and judicial appointments resonate with his supporters. Biden’s presidency, while not without flaws, reflects a competent leader who navigated a tumultuous era with measurable success, earning him the distinction of a good, if not great, president.