Biden’s America: progress, controversy and a nation divided

BY COLTON BRADBERRY

Opinion Editor

Joseph R. Biden was sworn into the United States presidency on Jan. 20, 2021. In the middle of a global pandemic and deep political unrest, President Biden at the age of 78 became the oldest person to assume the office of the presidency. 

His term was characterized by sweeping legislative goals and a focus on unity and efforts to restore peace to the global order. However, challenges with immigration, inflation and a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan tested his administration.

Early in his term, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan. This was a $1.9 trillion stimulus package aimed at mitigating the economic struggles caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. It included a $1,400 stimulus check, an expansion of unemployment benefits and an increase to child tax credits.

The plan provided economic relief and prioritized vaccine distribution, but it faced criticism for contributing to inflation, increasing the national debt and potentially causing labor shortages due to extended unemployment benefits. 

Lawrence Summer, former treasury secretary for the Clinton administration and past president of Harvard University, warned that the bill would contribute to inflation and bring the economy closer to recession. 

"I think this is the least responsible macroeconomic policy we've had in the last 40 years," Summers said on Bloomberg's “Wall Street Week.”

Another important bill was the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed into law by President Biden in August 2022. The IRA was a $737 billion legislative package. Biden would later say this bill should have had another name as many of the provisions of the bill focused on renewable energy. 

"It has less to do with reducing inflation than it does to do with dealing with providing for alternatives that generate economic growth," Biden said during a campaign fundraising event in Utah.

The largest part was the clean energy segment. The bill allocated $369 billion to clean energy initiatives, including tax credits for renewable energy and electric vehicles, and aimed to cut U.S. carbon emissions by 40% by 2030.

While the bill marked the largest federal investment in combating climate change and was praised for reducing prescription drug costs and promoting energy security, critics argued it had minimal short-term impact on inflation.

The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 marked one of the most controversial moments of President Joe Biden's presidency. Ending a 20-year conflict, the decision fulfilled a longstanding promise to bring American troops home but was marred by chaos and criticism.

The Rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the return of power to the Taliban led to harrowing scenes at Kabul’s airport as thousands of Afghans and American citizens tried to flee. 13 U.S. service members were killed in a suicide bombing during the evacuation.

President Biden’s support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s 2022 invasion became a defining detail of his foreign policy. The Biden administration formed international coalitions, enforced extensive sanctions on Russia and provided Ukraine with billions in military and humanitarian assistance.

The assistance provided included advanced weaponry, such as rocket systems and anti-aircraft defenses, which helped Ukraine build a strong defense against Russian aggression. President Biden characterized the war as a critical moment for democracy, stating that America would support Ukraine for as long as necessary. 

Republicans did express concerns over the long-term viability of financial and military aid. Many stated that the funds could go to domestic priorities and that it risked escalating tensions with Russia.

The escalating conflict between Israel and Gaza during President Biden’s term heightened ongoing complexities in the Middle East. The Biden administration supported Israel's right to self-defense but faced criticism for not taking a firmer stance to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Illegal immigration posed a significant challenge for the Biden administration. There were record-high border crossings straining resources and fueling political debates. By 2022, the U.S.-Mexico border saw unprecedented levels of migrant encounters, exceeding 2 million annually.

The Biden administration reversed many Trump-era immigration policies, including the "Remain in Mexico" program and Title 42, which expanded pathways for asylum seekers.

While the administration defended its actions as a balance of security and compassion, the border crisis remained a dividing issue throughout his presidency.

In 2024, President Biden announced that he would not seek reelection. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, ensuring her position as the presidential candidate. However, the party faced challenges rallying support and unifying around a new leader, ultimately resulting in Harris' defeat to former President Donald Trump.

In his last days in office, President Biden issued sweeping preemptive pardons to his family and key members of his administration, such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and General Mark Milley, to shield them from potential future prosecutions.

"My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me – the worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end," Biden said.

Biden's presidency was a complex and consequential chapter in American history. From ambitious legislative actions like the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act to the controversial withdrawal from Afghanistan and the border crisis, Biden's tenure reflected the difficulties of governing a deeply divided nation.

How history remembers Biden's presidency will likely depend on partisan perspectives. 

Democrats may look towards his legislative successes, commitment to diversity and progressive strides on climate change and healthcare, but Republicans are more likely to focus on his economic challenges, border policy failures and concerns about leadership.