Joe Biden

{{Short description|President of the United States from 2021 to 2025}} {{Redirect2|Joseph Biden|Biden|his first-born son, Joseph Biden III|Beau Biden|other uses|Biden (disambiguation)}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{pp-move|small=yes}} {{Use American English|date=July 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Stack begin}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Joe Biden | image = Joe Biden presidential portrait.jpg | alt = Official presidential portrait of Biden smiling, wearing a navy blue suit jacket with an American flag lapel pin, white shirt, and blue necktie. | caption = Official portrait, 2021  | order = 46th | office = President of the United States | vice_president = [[Kamala Harris]] | term_start = January 20, 2021 | term_end = January 20, 2025 | predecessor = [[Donald Trump]] | successor = Donald Trump | order2 = 47th | office2 = Vice President of the United States | president2 = [[Barack Obama]] | term_start2 = January 20, 2009 | term_end2 = January 20, 2017 | predecessor2 = [[Dick Cheney]] | successor2 = [[Mike Pence]] | jr/sr3 = United States Senator | state3 = [[Delaware]] | term_start3 = January 3, 1973 | term_end3 = January 15, 2009 | predecessor3 = [[J. Caleb Boggs]] | successor3 = [[Ted Kaufman]] {{Collapsed infobox section begin | last = yes | Senate positions | titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}} {{Infobox officeholder | embed = yes | office4 = Chair of the [[Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] | term_start4 = January 3, 2007 | term_end4 = January 3, 2009 | predecessor4 = [[Richard Lugar]] | successor4 = [[John Kerry]] | term_start5 = June 6, 2001 | term_end5 = January 3, 2003 | predecessor5 = [[Jesse Helms]] | successor5 = Richard Lugar | term_start6 = January 3, 2001 | term_end6 = January 20, 2001 | predecessor6 = Jesse Helms | successor6 = Jesse Helms | office7 = Chair of the [[International Narcotics Control Caucus]] | term_start7 = January 3, 2007 | term_end7 = January 3, 2009 | predecessor7 = [[Chuck Grassley]] | successor7 = [[Dianne Feinstein]] | office8 = Chair of the [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] | term_start8 = January 3, 1987 | term_end8 = January 3, 1995 | predecessor8 = [[Strom Thurmond]] | successor8 = [[Orrin Hatch]] {{Collapsed infobox section end}} }} | office9 = Member of the<br />[[New Castle County, Delaware#County Council|New Castle County Council]]<br>from the 4th district | term_start9 = January 5, 1971 | term_end9 = January 1, 1973 | predecessor9 = Lawrence T. Messick | successor9 = Francis Swift | birth_name = Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|11|20}} | birth_place = [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | spouse = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|[[Neilia Hunter]]|August 27, 1966|December 18, 1972|end=died}} * {{marriage|[[Jill Jacobs]]|June 17, 1977}} }} | children = 4, including [[Beau Biden|Beau]], [[Hunter Biden|Hunter]], and [[Ashley Biden|Ashley]] | relatives = [[Family of Joe Biden|Biden family]] | education = {{Ubl |[[University of Delaware]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]]) |[[Syracuse University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])}} | awards = [[List of awards and honors received by Joe Biden|Full list]] | signature = Joe Biden Signature.svg | signature_alt = Cursive signature in ink | website = {{Ubl |{{URL|joebiden.com|Official website}} |{{URL|bidenlibrary.gov|Presidential library}} |{{URL|bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov|White House archives}}}} | module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Joe Biden speaks on U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the fall of Kabul.ogg|title=Biden's voice|type=speech|description={{Br entries|Biden speaking on the [[2020–2021 US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan|U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan]] and the [[Fall of Kabul (2021)|fall of Kabul]]|Recorded August 16, 2021}}}} }} {{Joe Biden series}} {{Stack end}} '''Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.'''{{Efn|Pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|aɪ|d|ən|audio=Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. Pronunciation.wav}} {{Respell|BY|dən}}}} (born November 20, 1942) is an American retired politician who was the 46th [[president of the United States]] from 2021 to 2025. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], he [[US Senate career of Joe Biden|represented]] [[Delaware]] in the [[United States Senate]] from 1973 to 2009 and also served as the 47th [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]] under President [[Barack Obama]] from 2009 to 2017.

Born in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]], Biden graduated from the [[University of Delaware]] in 1965 and the [[Syracuse University College of Law]] in 1968. He was elected to the [[New Castle County Council]] in 1970 and the [[1972 United States Senate election in Delaware|U.S. Senate in 1972]]. [[US Senate career of Joe Biden|As a senator]], Biden chaired the Senate [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Judiciary Committee]] and [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Foreign Relations Committee]]. He drafted and led passage of the [[Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act]] and the [[Violence Against Women Act]]. Biden oversaw six [[U.S. Supreme Court]] confirmation hearings, including contentious [[Robert Bork Supreme Court nomination|hearings for Robert Bork]] and [[Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination|Clarence Thomas]]. He opposed the [[Gulf War]] in 1991 but voted in favor of the [[Iraq War Resolution]] in 2002. Biden ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in the [[1988 Democratic Party presidential primaries|1988]] and [[2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries|2008]] primaries. In 2008, Obama chose him as his running mate, and he served as a close advisor to Obama [[Vice presidency of Joe Biden|while in office]]. In the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]], Biden chose [[Kamala Harris]] as his running mate, and they defeated [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] incumbents [[Donald Trump]] and [[Mike Pence]].

As president, Biden signed the [[American Rescue Plan Act of 2021|American Rescue Plan Act]] in response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]] and [[COVID-19 recession|recession]]. He signed bipartisan bills on [[Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act|infrastructure]] and [[CHIPS and Science Act|manufacturing]]. Biden proposed the [[Build Back Better Act]], part of which was incorporated into the [[Inflation Reduction Act]] passed in 2022. He [[Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court nomination|appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson]] to the [[Supreme Court of the United States]]. In [[Foreign policy of the Joe Biden administration|his foreign policy]], the U.S. reentered the [[Paris Agreement]] and enacted the [[New Atlantic Charter]]. Biden [[2020–2021 U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan|withdrew U.S. troops]] from [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Afghanistan]] in a chaotic exit, and the [[2021 Taliban offensive|Taliban swiftly retook control]]. He [[United States and the Russian invasion of Ukraine|responded]] to the [[Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|Russian invasion of Ukraine]] by imposing [[International sanctions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|sanctions on Russia]] and authorizing [[United States military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|Ukrainian aid]]. In 2022, Biden supported [[Finland]]'s and [[Sweden]]'s bids to join [[NATO]] and formally approved their membership. During the [[Gaza war]], he condemned the actions of [[Hamas]], [[United States support for Israel in the Gaza war|strongly supported Israel]], sent humanitarian aid to the [[Gaza Strip]], and backed [[January 2025 Gaza war ceasefire|a temporary ceasefire proposal]] before his presidency ended.

[[Age and health concerns about Joe Biden|Concerns about Biden's age and health]] persisted throughout his presidency. Biden is the first president to turn 80 years old while in office. Biden initially [[Joe Biden 2024 presidential campaign|ran for reelection]] in [[2024 United States presidential election|2024]], winning the [[2024 Democratic Party presidential primaries|Democratic primaries]] and becoming the party's presumptive nominee. After his performance in the [[2024 Joe Biden–Donald Trump presidential debate|first presidential debate]], intensifying scrutiny from across the political spectrum about his age and health led him to [[Withdrawal of Joe Biden from the 2024 United States presidential election|withdraw his candidacy]].

During his time in office, Biden's administration was [[Historical rankings of presidents of the United States#Scholar survey summary|ranked favorably]] by several historians and scholars, diverging from [[United States presidential approval rating|unfavorable public assessments]] of his tenure. Biden entered office with majority support, but his approval ratings declined significantly during his presidency, particularly over concerns about [[2021-2023 inflation surge|inflation]]. He is the [[List of presidents of the United States by age#Age of presidents|oldest living former U.S. president]] since the [[second inauguration of Donald Trump]] in 2025, the [[List of vice presidents of the United States by age|oldest living former U.S. vice president]] since the death of [[Dick Cheney]] in 2025, and the oldest person to have served as president.

== Early life (1942–1965) == {{Main|Early life and career of Joe Biden}}

[[File:Joe Biden at Age 10.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Biden in 1952; at age 10]] Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born on November 20, 1942,<ref name="cong-bio">{{Biographical Directory of Congress |id=b000444 |name=Joseph R. Biden|inline=YES|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> at St. Mary's Hospital in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]],{{sfn|Witcover|2010|p=5}} to Catherine Eugenia "Jean" Biden ({{née|Finnegan}})<ref>{{cite web |first=Frank |last=James |title=Catherine 'Jean' Biden, VP's Mom, Dead At 92 |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/01/catherine_biden_vps_mom_dead_a.html |publisher=NPR |date=January 8, 2010 |access-date=June 15, 2025}}</ref> and Joseph Robinette Biden Sr.<ref>{{cite news|last=Smolenyak |first=Megan |author-link=Megan Smolenyak |date=September 3, 2002 |title=Joseph Biden Sr., 86, father of the senator |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-09-03-0209030023-story.html |access-date=April 15, 2020 |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230113231/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-09-03-0209030023-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He is the oldest child in a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] family of predominantly [[Irish Americans|Irish]] descent. Biden has a sister, [[Valerie Biden Owens|Valerie]], and two brothers, [[James Biden|James]] and Francis.{{sfn|Witcover|2010|pp=8–9}}

Joseph Sr. had been wealthy, and the family purchased a home in the affluent Long Island suburb of [[Garden City, New York]], in 1946.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=The New Yorker |date=August 15, 2022 |access-date=August 25, 2022 |first=Adam |last=Entous |title=The Untold History of the Biden Family |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/08/22/the-untold-history-of-the-biden-family |archive-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825154155/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/08/22/the-untold-history-of-the-biden-family |url-status=live}}</ref> After he suffered business setbacks around the time Biden was seven years old,<ref>{{cite news |last=Russell |first=Katie |date=January 8, 2021 |title=Joe Biden's family tree: how tragedy shaped the US president-elect |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/life/joe-biden-family-tree-children-ashley-hunter/ |access-date=December 1, 2020 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108150352/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/life/joe-biden-family-tree-children-ashley-hunter/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="promises2008">{{cite book |last=Biden |first=Joe |title=Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics |date=2008 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-8129-7621-2 |pages=16–17}}</ref>{{sfn|Witcover|2010|pp=7–8}} the family lived with Jean's parents in Scranton for several years.<ref name="nyt-father">{{cite news |last=Broder |first=John M. |date=October 23, 2008 |title=Father's Tough Life an Inspiration for Biden |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/us/politics/24biden.html |access-date=October 24, 2008 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108082045/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/us/politics/24biden.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Scranton fell into economic decline during the 1950s, and Joseph Sr. could not find steady work.<ref name="Chogath Kog'sante">{{cite news |last=Rubinkam |first=Michael |date=August 27, 2008 |title=Biden's Scranton childhood left lasting impression |publisher=[[Fox News]] |url=https://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Aug27/0,4670,CVNBidenapossScrantonRoots,00.html |access-date=January 6, 2026 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115185424/https://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Aug27/0,4670,CVNBidenapossScrantonRoots,00.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Beginning in 1953, when Biden was ten,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/05/21/trump-biden-scranton-pennsylvania-deserted-delaware/ |title=Joe Biden, who left Scranton at 10, 'deserted' Pennsylvania |last=Farzan |first=Antonia Noori |date=May 21, 2019 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105045522/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/05/21/trump-biden-scranton-pennsylvania-deserted-delaware/ |url-status=live}}</ref> the family lived in an apartment in [[Claymont, Delaware]], before moving to a house in nearby [[Mayfield, Delaware]].{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{cite web |last=Ebert |first=Jennifer |title=Joe Biden's houses |work=Homes and Gardens |date=January 20, 2021 |url=https://www.homesandgardens.com/news/joe-biden-house |access-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918200800/https://www.homesandgardens.com/news/joe-biden-house |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Newman |first=Meredith |title=How Joe Biden went from 'Stutterhead' to senior class president |newspaper=[[The News Journal]] |date=June 24, 2019 |url=https://eu.delawareonline.com/story/news/2019/06/24/how-joe-biden-overcame-stutter-class-president-archmere-high-school/1261174001/ |accessdate=September 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103124946/https://eu.delawareonline.com/story/news/2019/06/24/how-joe-biden-overcame-stutter-class-president-archmere-high-school/1261174001/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="promises2008" /><ref name="nyt-father" />}} Joseph Sr. later became a successful [[used-car salesman]], maintaining the family in a middle-class lifestyle.<ref name="nyt-father" /><ref name="Chogath Kog'sante"/><ref name="aap08-bio">''Almanac of American Politics'' 2008, p. 364.</ref>

At [[Archmere Academy]] in Claymont,{{sfn|Witcover|2010|pp=27, 32}} Biden played baseball and was a standout [[Halfback (American football)|halfback]] and [[wide receiver]] on the [[high school football]] team.<ref name="nyt-father" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Frank |first=Martin |date=September 28, 2008 |title=Biden was the stuttering kid who wanted the ball |page=D.1 |newspaper=[[The News Journal]] |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/delawareonline/access/1742718581.html?FMT=ABS |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601081204/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/delawareonline/access/1742718581.html?FMT=ABS |archive-date=June 1, 2013}}</ref> Though a poor student, he was [[class president]] in his junior and senior years.{{sfn|Witcover|2010|pp=40–41}}{{sfn|Taylor|1990|p=99}} He graduated in 1961.{{sfn|Witcover|2010|pp=40–41}} At the [[University of Delaware]] in [[Newark, Delaware|Newark]], Biden briefly played freshman football<ref>Biden, ''Promises to Keep'', pp. 27, 32–33.</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Domenico |last=Montanaro |title=Fact Check: Biden's Too Tall Football Tale |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/fact-check-bidens-too-tall-football-tale-flna1c6504609 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221225751/https://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/16/14489712-fact-check-bidens-too-tall-football-tale |archive-date=December 21, 2012 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=October 16, 2012}}</ref> and received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a [[double major]] in history and [[political science]] in 1965.<ref name="ap-timeline" />{{sfn|Taylor|1990|p=98}} To overcome a childhood stutter, he memorized lines from [[Ralph Waldo Emerson]] and [[William Butler Yeats]].<ref>{{cite news| last=Italie| first=Hillel| date=April 10, 2023| title=Biden and Irish poets: 'Hope and history', a lifelong love| url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-ireland-seamus-heaney-poetry-yeats-d87aa6c0b3e9a53464faaf8d5fda1c7b| work=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

== Marriages, law school, and early career (1966–1973) == {{Main|Early life and career of Joe Biden|l1 = Early career of Joe Biden}}

Biden married [[Neilia Hunter Biden|Neilia Hunter]], a student at [[Syracuse University]], on August 27, 1966,<ref name="ap-timeline">{{cite news|date=August 23, 2008 |title=A timeline of U.S. Sen. Joe Biden's life and career |via=[[SFGate]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/08/22/politics/p222636D16.DTL |url-status=dead |access-date=September 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925021142/https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2008%2F08%2F22%2Fpolitics%2Fp222636D16.DTL |archive-date=September 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Weiss |first1=Abby |title=The One: Joe Biden's 1st wife Neilia Biden shaped his life, career while at Syracuse |url=https://dailyorange.com/2022/02/joe-bidens-1st-wife-neilia-biden-shaped-life-career-syracuse/ |access-date=June 13, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Daily Orange]] |date=February 24, 2022 |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622163633/https://dailyorange.com/2022/02/joe-bidens-1st-wife-neilia-biden-shaped-life-career-syracuse/ |url-status=live}}</ref> after overcoming her parents' disinclination for her to wed a Catholic. Their wedding was held in a Catholic church in [[Skaneateles, New York (village)|Skaneateles, New York]].<ref>Biden, ''Promises to Keep'', pp. 32, 36–37.</ref> They had three children: [[Beau Biden|Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III]], [[Hunter Biden|Robert Hunter Biden]], and Naomi Christina "Amy" Biden.<ref name="ap-timeline" />

Biden earned a [[Juris Doctor]] from [[Syracuse University College of Law]] in 1968. In his first year of law school, he failed a course because he [[Plagiarism|plagiarized]] a law review article, but the failing grade was later stricken. His grades were relatively poor, and he graduated 76th in a class of 85.<ref name="nyt091887" /> He was [[Admission to the bar in the United States|admitted]] to the [[Delaware bar]] in 1969.<ref name="cong-bio" />

Biden clerked at a law firm headed by prominent local [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] William Prickett in 1968 and self-identified as a Republican.<ref name="dmn-87">{{cite news|last=Leubsdorf |first=Carl P. |date=September 6, 1987 |title=Biden Keeps Sights Set On White House |newspaper=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |url=https://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_text_direct-0=0ED3CF5858543A33&p_field_direct-0=document_id |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103080715/https://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_text_direct-0=0ED3CF5858543A33&p_field_direct-0=document_id |url-status=live}} Reprinted in {{cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/washington/cleubsdorf/stories/082308dnpolbiden87profile.4d6e19b.html |title=Lifelong ambition led Joe Biden to Senate, White House aspirations |date=August 23, 2008 |newspaper=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919060037/https://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/washington/cleubsdorf/stories/082308dnpolbiden87profile.4d6e19b.html |archive-date=September 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Barrett |first=Laurence I. |date=June 22, 1987 |title=Campaign Portrait, Joe Biden: Orator for the Next Generation |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964716,00.html |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113235512/https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964716,00.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> He disliked incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Delaware governor [[Charles L. Terry]]'s conservative racial politics and supported a more liberal Republican, [[Russell W. Peterson]], who defeated Terry in 1968.<ref name="dmn-87" /> Local Republicans attempted to recruit Biden, but he registered as an [[Independent politician|independent]] because of his distaste for Republican presidential candidate [[Richard Nixon]].<ref name="dmn-87" />

=== Law practices === [[File:Joe Biden in 1968 Edition of Onondagan Yearbook.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Biden pictured by [[Syracuse University]] in 1968]] In 1969, Biden resumed practicing law, first as a [[public defender]] in [[Wilmington, Delaware]]. Most of his clients were [[African Americans]] from Wilmington's east side.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joe Biden: Life Before the Presidency |date=January 19, 2021 |url=https://millercenter.org/president/biden/life-before-the-presidency |publisher=Miller Center |access-date=August 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gomez|first=Henry J.|date=July 25, 2019|title=Joe Biden's Time As A Public Defender Was A Brief Line On His Resume. Now It's A Virtue Signal For His Campaign.|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/henrygomez/joe-biden-public-defender|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625124359/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/henrygomez/joe-biden-public-defender|archive-date=June 25, 2021|access-date=June 25, 2021|website=[[BuzzFeed News]]}}</ref> Biden then joined a firm headed by Sid Balick, a locally active Democrat.{{sfn |Moritz |1987 |p=43}}<ref name="dmn-87" /> Balick named him to the Democratic Forum, a group trying to reform and revitalize the state party,{{sfn |Witcover |2010 |p= 86}} and Biden switched his registration to Democratic.<ref name="dmn-87" /> He also started his own firm, Biden and Walsh.{{sfn |Moritz |1987 |p=43}} [[Corporate law]], however, did not appeal to him, and [[criminal law]] did not pay well.<ref name="nyt-father" /> He supplemented his income by managing properties.<ref name="watn020109">{{cite news|author-first1=Nancy Doyle|author-last1=Palmer|date=February 1, 2009|title=Joe Biden: 'Everyone Calls Me Joe'|magazine=[[Washingtonian (magazine)|Washingtonian]]|url=http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/11118.html|access-date=February 4, 2009|archive-date=February 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207055147/http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/11118.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Biden ran for the fourth district seat on the [[New Castle County, Delaware#County Council|New Castle County Council]] in 1970 on a liberal platform that included support for public housing in the suburbs.{{sfn|Witcover|2010|p=59}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Harriman |first=Jane |date=December 31, 1969 |title=Joe Biden: Hope for Democratic Party in '72? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/8326887/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009054235/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/8326887/ |archive-date=October 9, 2024 |access-date=October 9, 2024 |newspaper=The News Journal |page=3 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Biden won the general election, defeating Republican Lawrence T. Messick, and took office on January 5, 1971.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 2, 1971 |title=County Council to Take Oath |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67554678/council-oath/ |newspaper=[[The News Journal]] |page=4 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115185436/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67554678/council-oath/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=January 6, 1971 |title=Conner Calls Shake of 7 Lucky Omen for Council |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67567899/lucky-omen/ |newspaper=[[The News Journal]] |page=3 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115185426/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67567899/lucky-omen/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He served until January 1, 1973.<ref>{{cite news|last=Frump |first=Bob |date=November 8, 1972 |title=GOP Decade Ends with Slawik Win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67555456/gop-decade/ |newspaper=[[The News Journal]] |page=3 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115185431/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67555456/gop-decade/ |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Witcover|2010|pp=52–64}} During his time on the county council, Biden opposed large highway projects, which he argued might disrupt Wilmington neighborhoods.{{sfn|Witcover|2010|pp=52–64}}

Biden had not openly supported or opposed the [[Vietnam War]] until he ran for Senate and opposed [[Richard Nixon]]'s conduct of the war.{{sfn|Witcover|2010|pp=50, 75}} While studying at the University of Delaware and Syracuse University, Biden obtained five student [[conscription|draft]] deferments. Based on a physical examination, he was given a conditional medical deferment in 1968; in 2008, a spokesperson for Biden said his having had "[[asthma]] as a teenager" was the reason.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Caldera |first1=Camille |title=Fact check: Biden, like Trump, received multiple draft deferments from Vietnam |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/09/16/fact-check-biden-received-multiple-draft-deferments-vietnam/5809482002/ |access-date=April 3, 2021 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630191208/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/09/16/fact-check-biden-received-multiple-draft-deferments-vietnam/5809482002/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 1972 U.S. Senate campaign in Delaware === {{Main|1972 United States Senate election in Delaware}} Biden defeated Republican incumbent [[J. Caleb Boggs]] to become the junior U.S. senator from Delaware in 1972. He was the only Democrat willing to challenge Boggs and, with minimal campaign funds, was thought to have no chance of winning.<ref name="cby-43">''Current Biography Yearbook 1987'', p. 43.</ref><ref name="nyt-father" /> Family members managed and staffed the campaign, which relied on meeting voters face-to-face and hand-distributing position papers,<ref name="npr-72">{{cite news|last=Naylor |first=Brian |date=October 8, 2007 |title=Biden's Road to Senate Took Tragic Turn |publisher=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14999603 |access-date=September 12, 2008 |archive-date=September 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911183158/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14999603 |url-status=live}}</ref> an approach made feasible by Delaware's small size.<ref name="watn020109" /> He received help from the [[AFL-CIO]] and Democratic pollster [[Patrick Caddell]].<ref name="cby-43" /> His platform focused on the environment, withdrawal from Vietnam, civil rights, mass transit, equitable taxation, health care and public dissatisfaction with "politics as usual".<ref name="cby-43" /><ref name="npr-72" /> A few months before the election, Biden trailed Boggs by almost thirty percentage points,<ref name="cby-43" /> but his energy, young family, and ability to connect with voters' emotions worked to his advantage,<ref name="aap08-bio" /> and he won with 50.5% of the vote.<ref name="npr-72" />

=== Death of first wife and daughter === A few weeks after Biden was elected senator, his wife Neilia and one-year-old daughter Naomi were killed in an automobile accident in [[Hockessin, Delaware]], on December 18, 1972.<ref name="ap-timeline" /><ref>{{cite news|date=December 19, 1972 |title=Biden's Wife, Child Killed in Car Crash |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/12/19/archives/bidens-wife-child-killed-in-car-crash.html |page=9 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |agency=United Press International |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202063824/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/12/19/archives/bidens-wife-child-killed-in-car-crash.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Their sons Beau (aged 3) and Hunter (aged 2) were in the car and were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.{{sfn|Witcover|2010|pp=93, 98}} He considered resigning to care for them,<ref name="aap08-bio" /> but [[Senate Majority Leader]] [[Mike Mansfield]] persuaded him not to.<ref>{{cite news|last=Levey |first=Noam M. |date=August 24, 2008 |title=In his home state, Biden is a regular Joe |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-24-na-biden24-story.html |access-date=September 7, 2008 |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230125100/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-24-na-biden24-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden contemplated suicide and was filled with anger and religious doubt.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cohen |first=Max |date=August 17, 2020 |title=Biden says he thought about suicide after 1972 death of his wife and daughter |newspaper=[[Politico]] |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/17/biden-contemplated-suicide-after-1972-deaths-wife-daughter-397487 |access-date=April 30, 2024 |archive-date=July 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721183748/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/17/biden-contemplated-suicide-after-1972-deaths-wife-daughter-397487 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bedigan |first=Mike |date=April 26, 2024 |title=Biden opens up about contemplating suicide after tragic deaths of first wife and daughter |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/joe-biden-suicide-howard-stern-b2535629.html |access-date=April 30, 2024 |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430031830/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/joe-biden-suicide-howard-stern-b2535629.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He wrote that he "felt God had played a horrible trick" on him<ref>Biden, ''Promises to Keep'', p. 81</ref> and had trouble focusing on work.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bumiller |first=Elisabeth |author-link=Elisabeth Bumiller |date=December 14, 2007 |title=Biden Campaigning With Ease After Hardships |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/14/us/politics/14biden.html |access-date=September 13, 2008 |archive-date=December 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210154755/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/14/us/politics/14biden.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=August 1, 2007 |title=On Becoming Joe Biden |publisher=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12389154 |access-date=September 12, 2008 |archive-date=September 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909093445/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12389154 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Second marriage === [[File:Joe and Jilly Biden early photo.jpg|thumb|Biden and his second wife, [[Jill Biden|Jill]], met in 1975 and married in 1977.|alt=Photo of Biden and his wife smiling, dressed casually]] Biden met teacher [[Jill Tracy Jacobs]] in 1975 on a [[blind date]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Seelye |first=Katharine Q. |date=August 24, 2008 |title=Jill Biden Heads Toward Life in the Spotlight |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/25/us/politics/25wife.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210193454/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/25/us/politics/25wife.html |archive-date=December 10, 2008}}</ref> They married at the [[Church Center for the United Nations|United Nations chapel]] in New York on June 17, 1977,<ref>{{cite news|last=Dart |first=Bob |date=October 24, 2008 |title=Bidens met, forged life together after tragedy |newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2008-10-24-a3bidenwife24-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020153208/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2008-10-24-a3bidenwife24-story.html |archive-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>Biden, ''Promises to Keep'', p. 117.</ref> and spent their honeymoon at [[Lake Balaton]] in the [[Hungarian People's Republic]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://444.hu/2020/11/08/biden-es-felesege-1977-ben-a-balatonnal-voltak-naszuton | title=Biden és felesége 1977-ben a Balatonnál voltak nászúton |last=Sarkadi |first= Zsolt | work=444.hu | date=November 8, 2020 | access-date=November 8, 2020 | language=hu | archive-date=November 8, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108225640/https://444.hu/2020/11/08/biden-es-felesege-1977-ben-a-balatonnal-voltak-naszuton | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54868002 | title=US election: What does Joe Biden's win mean for Brexit Britain and Europe? | author-first=Katya | author-last=Adler | agency=BBC News | date=November 8, 2020 | access-date=November 9, 2020 | archive-date=November 10, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110014205/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54868002 | url-status=live}}</ref> Biden credits her with the renewal of his interest in politics and life.<ref>Biden, ''Promises to Keep'', p. 113.</ref>

In 1981, the couple had a daughter, [[Ashley Biden]],<ref name="ap-timeline" /> who is a social worker, activist, and fashion designer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/fashion/weddings/ashley-biden-howard-krein-wedding.html |title=Ashley Biden and Howard Krein |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 3, 2012 |page=ST15 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101001405/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/fashion/weddings/ashley-biden-howard-krein-wedding.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Jill helped raise her stepsons, Hunter and Beau, who were seven and eight respectively at the time of her marriage. Hunter has worked as a Washington lobbyist and investment adviser; his business dealings, [[Hunter Biden laptop controversy|personal life]], and [[Weiss special counsel investigation|legal troubles]] came under [[United States House Oversight Committee investigation into the Biden family|significant scrutiny]] during his father's presidency. In December 2024, Biden pardoned Hunter following his conviction on gun and tax charges despite repeated promises that he would not do so.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref name = "NBCpardon">{{cite news|first1=Carol E. |last1=Lee |first2=Sarah |last2=Fitzpatrick |title=President Biden pardons his son Hunter Biden |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/joe-biden-issue-pardon-son-hunter-biden-rcna182369 |publisher=NBC News |date=December 1, 2024 |access-date=December 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Schwartz |first=Emma |date=August 24, 2008 |title=My Son, The Lobbyist: Biden's Son a Well-Paid DC Insider |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5640118&page=1 |access-date=January 4, 2023 |agency=ABC News |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104005221/https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5640118&page=1 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Levenson |first=Michael |date=August 11, 2023 |title=A Timeline of Hunter Biden's Life and Legal Troubles |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/11/us/politics/hunter-biden-legal-troubles-timeline.html |access-date=September 28, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928092007/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/11/us/politics/hunter-biden-legal-troubles-timeline.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="White House 2024">{{cite web|date=December 2, 2024 |title=Statement from President Joe Biden |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/01/statement-from-president-joe-biden-11/ |access-date=December 2, 2024 |publisher=The White House}}</ref>}} Beau became an Army [[judge-advocate]] in Iraq and later [[Delaware attorney general]]<ref>{{cite news|access-date=August 23, 2008 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121919956426355701|title=Biden's Foreign Policy Background Carries Growing Cachet |last=Cooper |first=Christopher |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=August 20, 2008 |page=A4 |archive-date=June 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601130450/https://online.wsj.com/article/SB121919956426355701.html |url-status=live}}</ref> before dying of brain cancer in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/vice-president-joe-bidens-son-beau-dies-n367171 |first=Phil |last=Helsel |title=Beau Biden, Son of Vice President Joe Biden, Dies After Battle With Brain Cancer |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=May 31, 2015 |access-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-date=January 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122170447/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/vice-president-joe-bidens-son-beau-dies-n367171 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Paul |last=Kane |date=May 31, 2015 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |title=Family losses frame Vice President Biden's career |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/beau-biden-vice-presidents-son-dies-of-brain-cancer-at-46/2015/05/31/4198da78-07c6-11e5-9e39-0db921c47b93_story.html |access-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230125058/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/beau-biden-vice-presidents-son-dies-of-brain-cancer-at-46/2015/05/31/4198da78-07c6-11e5-9e39-0db921c47b93_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Teaching === From 1991 to 2008, as an [[adjunct professor]], Biden co-taught a [[seminar]] on [[constitutional law]] at [[Widener University School of Law]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Evon |first1=Dan |title=Did Biden Teach Constitutional Law for 21 Years? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/biden-constitutional-law-teach/ |access-date=July 8, 2021 |work=[[Snopes]] |date=October 16, 2020 |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110005703/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/biden-constitutional-law-teach/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Miriam|last=Fauzia|title=Fact check: If he loses election, Biden said he wants to teach, but where is uncertain|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/10/28/fact-check-joe-biden-wants-return-teaching-if-he-loses-election/6037909002/|date=October 28, 2020|access-date=August 29, 2021|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101033652/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/10/28/fact-check-joe-biden-wants-return-teaching-if-he-loses-election/6037909002/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== U.S. Senate (1973–2009) == {{Main|US Senate career of Joe Biden}}

Elected to the U.S. Senate in [[1972 United States Senate election in Delaware|1972]], Biden was reelected in [[1978 United States Senate election in Delaware|1978]], [[1984 United States Senate election in Delaware|1984]], [[1990 United States Senate election in Delaware|1990]], [[1996 United States Senate election in Delaware|1996]], [[2002 United States Senate election in Delaware|2002]], and [[2008 United States Senate election in Delaware|2008]], regularly receiving about 60% of the vote.<ref name="aap08-366" /> Aged 30 when first elected, he was the [[List of youngest members of the United States Congress#List of youngest U.S. senators|seventh-youngest senator in U.S. history]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Rosenwald |first=Michael S. |date=January 11, 2021 |title=Biden, once one of the nation's youngest senators, will be its oldest president |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/01/11/youngest-senators-joe-biden/ |access-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307043412/https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/01/11/youngest-senators-joe-biden/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He was junior senator to [[William Roth]] until Roth was defeated in 2000.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wald |first=Matthew L. |date=December 15, 2003 |title=William V. Roth Jr., Veteran of U.S. Senate, Dies at 82 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/15/us/william-v-roth-jr-veteran-of-us-senate-dies-at-82.html |access-date=January 4, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104010233/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/15/us/william-v-roth-jr-veteran-of-us-senate-dies-at-82.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He remains one of the [[List of members of the United States Congress by longevity of service|longest-serving senators]] in U.S. history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Longest Serving Senators |url=https://www.senate.gov/senators/longest_serving_senators.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919101452/https://www.senate.gov/senators/longest_serving_senators.htm |archive-date=September 19, 2018 |access-date=August 26, 2018 |publisher=[[United States Senate]] }}</ref> For 36 years, he commuted from Washington to Wilmington via [[Amtrak]], earning him the nickname "Amtrak Joe".<ref>{{cite news| last=Superville| first=Diane| title=Biden celebrates Amtrak's 50 years on the rails| date=April 30, 2024| publisher=Associated Press| url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-biden-to-help-amtrak-mark-50-years-on-the-rails}}</ref>

=== Senate activities === [[File:President Ronald Reagan meeting with Senators Joseph Biden and William Cohen to discuss arms control and the results of their trip to the Soviet Union last month in oval office - DPLA - 3c0002ee171c06689feb0b9c9eca5961.jpg|thumb|Biden shaking hands with President [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1984|alt=Photo of Biden shaking hands with Reagan in the Oval Office]] During his early years in the Senate, Biden focused on consumer protection and environmental issues and called for greater government accountability.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=July 15, 1974 |title=200 Faces for the Future |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=https://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,879402-6,00.html |access-date=August 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813045404/https://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,879402-6,00.html |archive-date=August 13, 2013}}</ref> In 1974, he described himself as liberal on civil rights and liberties, senior citizens' concerns, and healthcare, but conservative on other issues, including abortion and [[military conscription]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kelley |first=Kitty |date=June 1, 1974 |title=Death and the All-American Boy |magazine=[[Washingtonian (magazine)|Washingtonian]] |url=https://washingtonian.com/1974/06/01/joe-biden-kitty-kelley-1974-profile-death-and-the-all-american-boy/ |access-date=March 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110162757/https://www.washingtonian.com/1974/06/01/joe-biden-kitty-kelley-1974-profile-death-and-the-all-american-boy/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden was the first U.S. senator to endorse Governor [[Jimmy Carter]] for president in the [[1976 Democratic Party presidential primaries|1976 Democratic primary]]. Carter won the Democratic nomination and the [[1976 United States presidential election|1976 election]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sullivan |first1=Becky |date=March 14, 2023 |title=President Biden says Jimmy Carter asked him to give his eulogy |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/03/14/1163392887/biden-jimmy-carter-eulogy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706175321/https://www.npr.org/2023/03/14/1163392887/biden-jimmy-carter-eulogy |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref> Biden also worked on [[arms control]].<ref name="nyt-foreign" /><ref>''Current Biography Yearbook 1987'', p. 45.</ref> After Congress failed to ratify the [[SALT II]] Treaty signed in 1979 by [[Soviet general secretary]] [[Leonid Brezhnev]] and President Carter, Biden met with Soviet foreign minister [[Andrei Gromyko]] and secured changes that addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's objections.<ref>{{cite book|last=Salacuse|first=Jeswald W.|url=https://archive.org/details/leadingleaders00jesw|title=Leading Leaders: How to Manage Smart, Talented, Rich and Powerful People|publisher=[[American Management Association]]|year=2005|isbn=978-0-8144-0855-1}} p. 144.</ref> He received considerable attention when he excoriated Secretary of State [[George Shultz]] at a Senate hearing for the Reagan administration's support of [[South Africa]] despite its policy of [[apartheid]].<ref name="dmn-87" /> In a congressional hearing in 1984, he objected to the [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] plan to construct autonomous systems of ICBM defense.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Roland |last1=Alex |title=Strategic computing : DARPA and the quest for machine intelligence, 1983-1993 |date=2002 |publisher=MIT Press |last2=Shiman |first2=Philip |isbn=0262182262 |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |pages=88 |oclc=48449800}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/5051200 |title=Strategic defense and anti-satellite weapons: hearing before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, Ninety-eighth Congress, second session, April 25, 1984 |date=1984 |publisher=U.S. G.P.O |editor-last=United States |series=S. hrg |location=Washington |pages=68–74 |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109061838/https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/5051200 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Biden was an advocate for Delaware military installations, including [[Dover Air Force Base]] and [[New Castle Air National Guard Base]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=A0D1424D-120B-4BCA-8F4C-12253EEE97C8 |title=Senate Approves $24.4 Million for Guard, Dover Air Force Bases |publisher=[[United States Senate]] for [[Thomas R. Carper]] |date=September 23, 2005 |access-date=July 10, 2009 |archive-date=February 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223134826/https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=A0D1424D-120B-4BCA-8F4C-12253EEE97C8 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the mid-1970s, Biden was one of the Senate's strongest opponents of [[race-integration busing]]. His Delaware constituents strongly opposed it, and such opposition nationwide later led his party to mostly abandon school integration policies.<ref name="Gadsden">{{cite news|last=Gadsden |first=Brett |date=May 5, 2019 |title=Here's How Deep Biden's Busing Problem Runs |newspaper=[[Politico]] |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/05/joe-biden-busing-problem-226791/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505123922/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/05/joe-biden-busing-problem-226791 |archive-date=May 5, 2019}}</ref> In his first Senate campaign, Biden had expressed support for busing to remedy ''de jure'' segregation, as in the South, but opposed its use to remedy ''de facto'' segregation arising from racial patterns of neighborhood residency, as in Delaware; he opposed a proposed constitutional amendment banning busing entirely.{{sfn|Gadsden|2012|p=214}} Biden supported a 1976 measure forbidding the use of federal funds for transporting students beyond the school closest to them.<ref name="Gadsden" /> He co-sponsored a 1977 amendment closing loopholes in that measure, which President Carter signed into law in 1978.<ref>{{cite book|last=Raffel |first=Jeffrey A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gA1JljCpxzEC&pg=PA90 |title=Historical Dictionary of School Segregation and Desegregation: The American Experience |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-313-29502-7 |page=90 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930184823/https://books.google.com/books?id=gA1JljCpxzEC&pg=PA90 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden became [[ranking minority member]] of the [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] in 1981. He was a Democratic floor manager for the successful passage of the [[Comprehensive Crime Control Act]] in 1984. His supporters praised him for modifying some of the law's worst provisions, and it was his most important legislative accomplishment to that time.<ref name="cby-44">''Current Biography Yearbook 1987'', p. 44.</ref> In 1994, Biden helped pass the [[Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act]], which included [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban|a ban on assault weapons]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Fifield |first=Anna |date=January 4, 2013 |title=Biden faces key role in second term |newspaper=[[Financial Times]]|url=https://www.ft.com/content/412f47b0-5694-11e2-aad0-00144feab49a |access-date=January 24, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Scherer |first=Michael |date=January 16, 2013 |title=America's New Gunfight: Inside the Campaign to Avert Mass Shootings |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]| url=https://swampland.time.com/2013/01/16/americas-new-gunfight-inside-the-campaign-to-avert-mass-shootings/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103081050/https://swampland.time.com/2013/01/16/americas-new-gunfight-inside-the-campaign-to-avert-mass-shootings/ |archive-date=January 3, 2021}} Cover story.</ref> and the [[Violence Against Women Act]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Finley|first=Bruce|date=September 19, 2014|title=Biden: Men who don't stop violence against women are "cowards"|newspaper=[[The Denver Post]]|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/09/19/biden-men-who-dont-stop-violence-against-women-are-cowards/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013133013/https://www.denverpost.com/environment/ci_26568257/vice-president-biden-denver-discuss-domestic-violence-issues|archive-date=October 13, 2015|access-date=August 29, 2021}}</ref> which he has called his most significant legislation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Domestic Violence|url=https://biden.senate.gov/issues/issue/?id=975b0cf4-ce25-42cc-b63d-072fb81e8618|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822144642/https://biden.senate.gov/issues/issue/?id=975b0cf4-ce25-42cc-b63d-072fb81e8618|archive-date=August 22, 2008|access-date=September 9, 2008|publisher=[[United States Senate|Biden senate website]]}}</ref> The 1994 crime law was unpopular among progressives and criticized for resulting in mass incarceration;<ref>{{cite news|last=Herndon |first=Astead W. |date=January 21, 2019 |title=On King Holiday, Democrats Convey Hope, Remorse and Invective Against Trump |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/21/us/politics/biden-crime-bill-regrets.html |access-date=January 21, 2019 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110162903/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/21/us/politics/biden-crime-bill-regrets.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first1=Jonathan|last1=Martin|first2=Alexander|last2=Burns|date=January 6, 2019|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/06/us/politics/joe-biden-2020-president.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110163104/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/06/us/politics/joe-biden-2020-president.html|title= Biden in 2020? Allies Say He Sees Himself as Democrats' Best Hope|url-status=live|archive-date=November 10, 2020|access-date=August 29, 2021|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Biden later expressed regret for passing the bill.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schor |first1=Elana |last2=Kinnard |first2=Meg |title=Biden says he regrets 1990s crime bill, calls it a 'big mistake' at MLK Day event |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2019/01/21/biden-says-he-regrets-1990-s-crime-bill-calls-big-mistake-mlk-day-event/2639190002/ |access-date=July 20, 2021 |newspaper=[[The News Journal]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=January 21, 2019 |archive-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704120222/https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2019/01/21/biden-says-he-regrets-1990-s-crime-bill-calls-big-mistake-mlk-day-event/2639190002/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden voted for a 1993 provision that deemed homosexuality incompatible with military life, thereby banning [[List of gay, lesbian or bisexual people|gay people]] from serving in the armed forces.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Epstein |first1=Reid J. |last2=Lerer |first2=Lisa |date=September 20, 2019 |title=Joe Biden Has Tense Exchange Over L.G.B.T.Q. Record |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/us/politics/lgbt-forum-2020.html |access-date=April 15, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416100800/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/us/politics/lgbt-forum-2020.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Del Real |first=Jose A. |title=Sanders attacks Biden's record on gay rights and women's issues |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sanders-calls-biden-my-friend-then-he-goes-on-the-attack/2020/03/08/20a23f86-60d0-11ea-9055-5fa12981bbbf_story.html |date=March 8, 2020 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-date=March 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308233903/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sanders-calls-biden-my-friend-then-he-goes-on-the-attack/2020/03/08/20a23f86-60d0-11ea-9055-5fa12981bbbf_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, he voted for the [[Defense of Marriage Act]], which prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, thereby barring people in such marriages from equal protection under federal law and allowing states to do the same.<ref name="NYT Biden Evolution on LGBTQ">{{cite news|last1=Nagourney |first1=Adam |last2=Kaplan |first2=Thomas |date=June 21, 2020 |title=Behind Joe Biden's Evolution on L.G.B.T.Q. Rights |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/biden-gay-rights-lgbt.html |access-date=January 4, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601215617/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/biden-gay-rights-lgbt.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, the act was ruled unconstitutional in ''[[Obergefell v. Hodges]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=de Vogue |first1=Ariane |last2=Diamond |first2=Jeremy |title=Supreme Court rules states must allow same-sex marriage |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/26/politics/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage-ruling/index.html |date=June 27, 2015 |access-date=June 12, 2019 |publisher=[[CNN]] |archive-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627065146/https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/26/politics/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage-ruling/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden was critical of [[United States Office of the Independent Counsel|Independent Counsel]] [[Ken Starr]] during the 1990s [[Whitewater controversy]] and [[Clinton–Lewinsky scandal]] investigations, saying "it's going to be a cold day in hell" before another independent counsel would be granted similar powers.<ref>''Almanac of American Politics'' 2000, p. 372.</ref> He voted to acquit during the [[impeachment of Bill Clinton]].<ref>{{cite news|date=February 12, 1999 |title=How the senators voted on impeachment |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/02/12/senate.vote/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103081326/https://edition.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/02/12/senate.vote/ |archive-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> During the 2000s, Biden sponsored bankruptcy legislation sought by credit card issuers (such as [[MBNA]], one of Delaware's largest companies).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Boyer |first1=William W. |title=Pivotal Policies in Delaware: From Desegregation to Deregulation |date=2013 |publisher=University Press Copublishing Division |page=160}}</ref><ref name="aap08-bio" /> [[Bill Clinton]] vetoed the bill in 2000, but it passed in 2005 as the [[Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act]],<ref name="aap08-bio" /> with Biden being one of only 18 Democrats to vote for it, while leading Democrats and consumer rights organizations opposed it.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pilkington |first=Ed |date=December 2, 2019 |title=How Biden Helped Create the Student Debt Problem He Now Promises to Fix |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/02/joe-biden-student-loan-debt-2005-act-2020 |access-date=March 8, 2020 |archive-date=March 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306071514/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/02/joe-biden-student-loan-debt-2005-act-2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> As a senator, Biden strongly supported increased [[Amtrak]] funding and rail security.<ref name="aap08-366" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Verma|first=Pranshu|date=October 24, 2020|title=Biden, an Amtrak Evangelist, Could Be a Lifeline for a Rail Agency in Crisis|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/24/us/biden-amtrak-covid.html|access-date=November 19, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119015056/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/24/us/biden-amtrak-covid.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Brain surgeries === In February 1988, after several episodes of severe neck pain, Biden underwent surgery to correct a leaking [[intracranial berry aneurysm]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Altman |first=Lawrence K. |date=February 23, 1998 |title=The Doctor's World; Subtle Clues Are Often The Only Warnings Of Perilous Aneurysms |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/23/science/the-doctors-world-subtle-clues-are-often-the-only-warnings-of-perilous-aneurysms.html |access-date=August 23, 2008 |archive-date=April 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428023004/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/23/science/the-doctors-world-subtle-clues-are-often-the-only-warnings-of-perilous-aneurysms.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt-4cmed">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/us/politics/20health.html|title=Many Holes in Disclosure of Nominees' Health|last=Altman|first=Lawrence K.|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 19, 2008|access-date=October 26, 2008|archive-date=February 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225194337/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/us/politics/20health.html|url-status=live}}</ref> While recuperating, he suffered a [[pulmonary embolism]].<ref name="nyt-4cmed" /> A second aneurysm was surgically repaired in May.<ref name="nyt-4cmed" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/04/us/biden-resting-after-surgery-for-second-brain-aneurysm.html |title=Biden Resting After Surgery For Second Brain Aneurysm |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 4, 1988 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105212210/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/04/us/biden-resting-after-surgery-for-second-brain-aneurysm.html |url-status=live}}</ref> His recuperation kept him away from the Senate for seven months.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/vp-candidate-profile-sen-joe-biden/ |title=V.P. candidate profile: Sen. Joe Biden |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=August 23, 2008 |access-date=September 7, 2008 |first=Calvin |last=Woodward |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230131941/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/vp-candidate-profile-sen-joe-biden/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Senate Judiciary Committee === [[File:Biden Crime Bill.jpg|thumb|Biden speaking at the signing of the [[Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act|1994 Crime Bill]] with President [[Bill Clinton]]|alt=Photo of Senator Biden giving a speech, with uniformed law enforcement officers in the background]]

Biden was a longtime member of the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Committee on the Judiciary]]. He chaired it from 1987 to 1995 and was a [[ranking member|ranking minority member]] from 1981 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 1997.<ref>{{cite web|title=Previous Committee Chairman |url=https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/chairman/previous |access-date=May 14, 2023 |publisher=United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511035733/https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/chairman/previous |url-status=live}}</ref>

As chair, Biden presided over two highly contentious [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]] confirmation hearings.<ref name="aap08-bio" /> When [[Robert Bork Supreme Court nomination|Robert Bork was nominated]] in 1988, Biden reversed his approval{{mdashb}}given in an interview the previous year{{mdashb}}of a hypothetical Bork nomination. Conservatives were angered,{{sfn|Bronner|1989|pp=138–139, 214, 305}} but at the hearings' close Biden was praised for his fairness, humor, and courage.{{sfn|Bronner|1989|pp=138–139, 214, 305}}<ref name="nyt-lg-87">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/08/us/washington-talk-the-bork-hearings-for-biden-epoch-of-belief-epoch-of-incredulity.html |title=Washington Talk: The Bork Hearings; For Biden: Epoch of Belief, Epoch of Incredulity |last=Greenhouse |first=Linda |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 8, 1987 |author-link=Linda Greenhouse |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111141909/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/08/us/washington-talk-the-bork-hearings-for-biden-epoch-of-belief-epoch-of-incredulity.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Rejecting the arguments of some Bork opponents,<ref name="aap08-bio" /> Biden framed his objections to Bork in terms of the conflict between Bork's strong [[originalism]] and the view that the [[Constitution of the United States|U.S. Constitution]] provides rights to liberty and privacy beyond those explicitly enumerated in its text.<ref name="nyt-lg-87" /> Bork's nomination was rejected in the committee by a 5–9 vote<ref name="nyt-lg-87" /> and then in the full Senate, 42–58.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/24/us/senate-s-roll-call-on-the-bork-vote.html|title=Senate's Roll-Call On the Bork Vote|date=October 24, 1987|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103084644/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/24/us/senate-s-roll-call-on-the-bork-vote.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During [[Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination|Clarence Thomas's nomination hearings]] in 1991, Biden's questions on constitutional issues were often convoluted to the point that Thomas sometimes lost track of them,{{sfn|Mayer|Abramson|1994|pp=213, 218, 336}} and Thomas later wrote that Biden's questions were akin to "[[beanball]]s".<ref>{{cite news|title=Clarence Thomas: A Silent Justice Speaks Out: Part VI: Becoming a Judge—and perhaps a Justice |last=Greenburg |first=Jan Crawford |agency=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=September 30, 2007 |url=https://www.abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Story?id=3664944&page=4 |access-date=October 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622121644/https://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Story?id=3664944&page=4 |archive-date=June 22, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> After the committee hearing closed, the public learned that [[Anita Hill]] had accused Thomas of [[Sexual harassment|making unwelcome sexual comments]] when they had worked together.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2101289|title=Nina Totenberg, NPR Biography|access-date=May 31, 2008|publisher=[[NPR]]|archive-date=April 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414042451/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2101289|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Excerpt from Nina Totenberg's breaking National Public Radio report on Anita Hill's accusation of sexual harassment by Clarence Thomas.|url=https://jwa.org/feminism/_html/_transcripts/transcript_JWA071a.htm|access-date=October 5, 2008|date=October 6, 1991|publisher=[[NPR]]|archive-date=February 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221202700/https://jwa.org/feminism/_html/_transcripts/transcript_JWA071a.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden had known of some of these charges, but initially shared them only with the committee because Hill was then unwilling to testify.<ref name="aap08-bio" /> The committee hearing was reopened and Hill testified, but Biden did not permit testimony from other witnesses, such as a woman who had made similar charges and experts on harassment.<ref name="nyt-hill">{{cite news|url=https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/23/biden-and-anita-hill-revisited/ |title=Biden and Anita Hill, Revisited |last=Phillips |first=Kate |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 23, 2008 |access-date=September 12, 2008 |archive-date=September 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911204456/https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/23/biden-and-anita-hill-revisited/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The full Senate confirmed Thomas by a 52–48 vote, with Biden opposed.<ref name="aap08-bio" /> Liberal legal advocates and women's groups felt strongly that Biden had mishandled the hearings and not done enough to support Hill.<ref name="nyt-hill" /> In 2019, he told Hill he regretted his treatment of her, but Hill said afterward she remained unsatisfied.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/25/us/politics/joe-biden-anita-hill.html|title=Joe Biden Expresses Regret to Anita Hill, but She Says 'I'm Sorry' Is Not Enough|last1=Stolberg|first1=Sheryl Gay|date=April 25, 2019|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=April 25, 2019|last2=Martin|first2=Jonathan|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425205328/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/25/us/politics/joe-biden-anita-hill.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Senate Foreign Relations Committee === [[File:Bill Clinton and officials on Air Force One.jpg|thumb|Senator Biden accompanies President Clinton and other officials to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] in December 1997.|alt=Photo of Clinton, his senior officials, and Biden on Air Force One]]

Biden was a longtime member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Senate Foreign Relations Committee]]. He became its ranking minority member in 1997, and chaired it from June 2001 to 2003 and 2007 to 2009.<ref name="aap08-365" /> His positions were generally [[Liberal internationalism|liberal internationalist]].<ref name="nyt-foreign">{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/world/americas/24iht-policy.4.15591832.html | title=In Biden, Obama chooses a foreign policy adherent of diplomacy before force | last=Gordon | first=Michael R. | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | date=August 24, 2008 | access-date=November 5, 2009 | author-link=Michael R. Gordon | archive-date=February 27, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227192937/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/world/americas/24iht-policy.4.15591832.html | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="lat-foreign" /> He collaborated effectively with Republicans and sometimes went against elements of his own party.<ref name="aap08-365" /><ref name="lat-foreign" /> During this time he met with at least 150 leaders from 60 countries and international organizations, becoming a well-known Democratic voice on foreign policy.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/09/23/meetings_with_foreign_leaders.html |title=Meetings with Foreign Leaders? Biden's Been There, Done That |last=Kessler |first=Glenn |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=September 23, 2008 |access-date=November 5, 2009 |author-link=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112112314/https://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/09/23/meetings_with_foreign_leaders.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Biden voted against authorization for the [[Gulf War]] in 1991.<ref name="lat-foreign">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-24-na-foreignpol24-story.html |title=Joe Biden respected—if not always popular—for foreign policy record |last1=Richter |first1=Paul |last2=Levey |first2=Noam N. |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 24, 2008 |access-date=November 5, 2009 |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502051910/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-24-na-foreignpol24-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He became interested in the [[Yugoslav Wars]] after hearing about Serbian abuses during the [[Croatian War of Independence]] in 1991.<ref name="nyt-foreign" /> Once the [[Bosnian War]] broke out, Biden was among the first to call for the "[[Lift and strike (Bosnian War)|lift and strike]]" policy.<ref name="nyt-foreign" /><ref name="aap08-365" /> [[George H. W. Bush]] and [[Bill Clinton]] were both reluctant to implement the policy, fearing Balkan entanglement.<ref name="nyt-foreign" /><ref name="lat-foreign" /> In April 1993, Biden had a tense three-hour meeting with Serbian leader [[Slobodan Milošević]].<ref name="wapo-bosnia">{{cite news|last=Kessler |first=Glenn |author-link=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |date=October 7, 2008 |title=Biden Played Less Than Key Role in Bosnia Legislation |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/06/AR2008100602681.html |access-date=November 5, 2009 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Biden worked on several versions of legislative language urging the U.S. toward greater involvement.<ref name="wapo-bosnia" /> He has called his role in affecting Balkan policy in the mid-1990s his "proudest moment in public life" related to foreign policy.<ref name="lat-foreign" /> In 1999, during the [[Kosovo War]], Biden supported the [[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]].<ref name="nyt-foreign" /> He and Senator [[John McCain]] co-sponsored the McCain-Biden Kosovo Resolution, which called on Clinton to use all necessary force, including ground troops, to confront Milošević over Yugoslav actions toward [[Kosovo Albanians]].<ref name="lat-foreign" /><ref name="wsj082508">{{#invoke:cite|news| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121954185485266719 | title=Biden, McCain Have a Friendship—and More—in Common | last=Holmes | first=Elizabeth | newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=August 25, 2008 | access-date=November 5, 2009 | archive-date=October 16, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016194520/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121954185485266719 | url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq ==== {{Main|War on terror}}

Biden was a strong supporter of the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]], saying, "Whatever it takes, we should do it."<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Crowley|first1=Michael|title=Hawk Down|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/politics/hawk-down|magazine=[[The New Republic]]|quote=Even before Obama announced his run for president, Biden was warning that Afghanistan, not Iraq, was the 'central front' in the war against Al Qaeda, requiring a major U.S. commitment. 'Whatever it takes, we should do it,' Biden said in February 2002.|date=September 24, 2009|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016194518/https://www.newrepublic.com/article/politics/hawk-down|url-status=live}}</ref> As head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he said in 2002 that Iraqi president [[Saddam Hussein]] was a threat to national security and there was no other option than to "eliminate" that threat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18381961 |work=[[Meet the Press]] |title=MTP Transcript for April 29, 2007 |first=Tim |last=Russert |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=April 29, 2007 |page=2 |author-link=Tim Russert |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208191954/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/18381961 |url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2002, he voted in favor of the [[Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq]], approving the [[U.S. invasion of Iraq]].<ref name="lat-foreign" /> As chair of the committee, he assembled witnesses to testify in favor of the authorization. They gave testimony grossly misrepresenting the intent, history, and status of Saddam and his government, and touted Iraq's fictional possession of [[weapons of mass destruction]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Weisbrot|author-link=Mark Weisbrot|date=February 18, 2020|access-date=August 28, 2021|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/17/joe-biden-role-iraq-war |title=Joe Biden championed the Iraq war. Will that come back to haunt him now?|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109174540/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/17/joe-biden-role-iraq-war|archive-date=January 9, 2021|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Biden eventually became a critic of the war, calling his vote a "mistake" by 2005,<ref>{{cite news|date=November 27, 2005 |title=Transcript for November 27 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna10154103 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124192452/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna10154103#.XhtkxhdKh3k |archive-date=November 24, 2024 |access-date=March 25, 2025 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |series=[[Meet the Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Glueck |first1=Katie |last2=Kaplan |first2=Thomas |date=January 12, 2020 |title=Joe Biden's Vote for War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/12/us/politics/joe-biden-iraq-war.html |access-date=March 25, 2025 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> but did not push for withdrawal.<ref name="lat-foreign" /><ref name="wapo-bosnia" /> He supported the appropriations for the occupation, but argued that the war should be internationalized, that more soldiers were needed, and that the Bush administration should "level with the [[Americans|American people]]" about its cost and length.<ref name="aap08-365">''Almanac of American Politics'' 2008, p. 365.</ref><ref name="wsj082508" />

By late 2006, Biden's stance had shifted considerably. He opposed the [[troop surge of 2007]],<ref name="lat-foreign" /><ref name="wapo-bosnia" /> saying General [[David Petraeus]] was "dead, flat wrong" in believing the surge could work.<ref name="nytm-traub" /> Biden, through a plan developed with [[Council on Foreign Relations]] president [[Leslie H. Gelb]], instead advocated dividing Iraq into a loose [[Federalism in Iraq|federation of three ethnic states]].{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/weekinreview/19shanker.html |title=Divided They Stand, but on Graves |first=Thom |last=Shanker |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 19, 2007 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103081421/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/weekinreview/19shanker.html |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Witcover|2010|pp=572–573}}<ref name="Biden Gelb 2006">{{cite web | title=Unity Through Autonomy in Iraq |last1=Biden|first1=Joe|last2=Gelb|first2=Les| website=The New York Times | date=May 1, 2006 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/01/opinion/01biden.html | access-date=October 18, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Biden Gelb evaluation 2007">{{cite web | title=Biden-Gelb Plan For Iraq One Year Later | website=The American Presidency Project | date=May 1, 2007 | url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/biden-campaign-press-release-biden-gelb-plan-for-iraq-one-year-later | access-date=October 18, 2025}}</ref>}} In September 2007, a non-binding resolution endorsing the plan passed the Senate,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Parker |first1=Ned |last2=Salman |first2=Raheem |date=October 1, 2007 |title=U.S. vote unites Iraqis in anger |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-oct-01-fg-iraq1-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103081500/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-oct-01-fg-iraq1-story.html |archive-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> but the idea failed to gain traction.<ref name="nytm-traub" />

== 1988 and 2008 presidential campaigns ==

=== 1988 campaign === {{Main|Joe Biden 1988 presidential campaign}}

[[File:Biden speaks at a presidential campaign event, 1987.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Biden speaks at a campaign event in 1987.]]

Biden declared his candidacy for the [[1988 Democratic Party presidential primaries|1988 Democratic presidential nomination]] on June 9, 1987.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dionne |first=E. J. Jr. |author-link=E. J. Dionne |date=June 10, 1987 |title=Biden Joins Campaign for the Presidency |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/10/us/biden-joins-campaign-for-the-presidency.html |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=November 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105150453/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/10/us/biden-joins-campaign-for-the-presidency.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He was considered a strong candidate because of his moderate image, his speaking ability, his high profile as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the upcoming [[Robert Bork Supreme Court nomination]] hearings, and his appeal to [[Baby Boomer]]s.<ref name="dmn-87" /><ref name="nyt083187">{{cite news|last=Toner |first=Robin |date=August 31, 1987 |title=Biden, Once the Field's Hot Democrat, Is Being Overtaken by Cooler Rivals |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/31/us/biden-once-the-field-s-hot-democrat-is-being-overtaken-by-cooler-rivals.html |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103084657/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/31/us/biden-once-the-field-s-hot-democrat-is-being-overtaken-by-cooler-rivals.html |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Taylor|1990|p=83}} He raised more in the first quarter of 1987 than any other candidate.<ref name="nyt083187" />{{sfn|Taylor|1990|p=83}}

By August, Biden's campaign messaging had become confused due to staff rivalries,{{sfn|Taylor|1990|pp=108–109}} and in September, he was accused of plagiarizing a speech by [[Labour Party (UK)|British Labour Party]] leader [[Neil Kinnock]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Dowd |first=Maureen |author-link=Maureen Dowd |date=September 12, 1987 |title=Biden's Debate Finale: An Echo From Abroad |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/12/us/biden-s-debate-finale-an-echo-from-abroad.html |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=February 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215003637/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/12/us/biden-s-debate-finale-an-echo-from-abroad.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden had credited Kinnock on previous occasions,<ref>{{cite news|last=Randolph |first=Eleanor |date=September 13, 1987 |title=Plagiarism Suggestion Angers Biden's Aides |page=A6 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/09/13/plagiarism-suggestion-angers-bidens-aides/912bfcf1-b3f3-4850-a14d-e8b0bee1ed63/ |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103081200/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/09/13/plagiarism-suggestion-angers-bidens-aides/912bfcf1-b3f3-4850-a14d-e8b0bee1ed63/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="lat-speech" /> but did not on two occasions in August.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last1=Germond|first1=Jack|url=https://archive.org/details/whosebroadstripe00germ|title=Whose Broad Stripes and Bright Stars? The Trivial Pursuit of the Presidency 1988|last2=Witcover|first2=Jules|publisher=[[Warner Books]]|year=1989|isbn=978-0-446-51424-8|author-link=Jack Germond|author-link2=Jules Witcover}}</ref>{{rp|230–232}}<ref name="lat-speech">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Risen |first1=James |author-link=James Risen |last2=Shogan |first2=Robert |date=September 16, 1987 |title=Differing Versions Cited on Source of Passages: Biden Facing New Flap Over Speeches |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-09-16-mn-5412-story.html |access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103081219/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-09-16-mn-5412-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Earlier that year, Biden had also used passages from a speech by [[Robert F. Kennedy]] (for which his aides took blame) and the [[inaugural address of John F. Kennedy]]. Two years earlier he had used a 1976 passage by [[Hubert Humphrey]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Dowd |first=Maureen |author-link=Maureen Dowd |date=September 16, 1987 |title=Biden Is Facing Growing Debate On His Speeches |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/16/us/biden-is-facing-growing-debate-on-his-speeches.html |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103081135/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/16/us/biden-is-facing-growing-debate-on-his-speeches.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden responded that politicians often borrow from one another without giving credit, and that one of his rivals for the nomination, [[Jesse Jackson]], had called him to point out that Jackson had used the same material by Humphrey that Biden had used.<ref name="aap08-bio" /><ref name="nyt091887">{{cite news|last=Dionne | first=E. J. Jr. |author-link=E. J. Dionne |date=September 18, 1987 |title=Biden Admits Plagiarism in School But Says It Was Not 'Malevolent' |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/18/us/biden-admits-plagiarism-in-school-but-says-it-was-not-malevolent.html |access-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-date=April 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404115603/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/18/us/biden-admits-plagiarism-in-school-but-says-it-was-not-malevolent.html |url-status=live}}</ref> A few days later, it was publicized that, while in law school, Biden had taken text from a ''[[Fordham Law Review]]'' article with inadequate citations.<ref name="nyt091887" /> At Biden's request the Delaware Supreme Court's Board of Professional Responsibility reviewed the incident and concluded that he had violated no rules.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 29, 1989 |title=Professional Board Clears Biden In Two Allegations of Plagiarism |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/29/us/professional-board-clears-biden-in-two-allegations-of-plagiarism.html |access-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-date=July 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707020556/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/29/us/professional-board-clears-biden-in-two-allegations-of-plagiarism.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden has made several false or exaggerated claims about his early life: that he had earned three degrees in college, that he attended [[law school]] on a full scholarship, that he had graduated in the top half of his class,<ref>{{cite news|last=Dionne |first=E. J. Jr. |author-link=E. J. Dionne |date=September 22, 1987 |title=Biden Admits Errors and Criticizes Latest Report |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/22/us/biden-admits-errors-and-criticizes-latest-report.html |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103081243/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/22/us/biden-admits-errors-and-criticizes-latest-report.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=August 23, 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1j0FS0Z6ho |title=1988 Road to the White House with Sen. Biden |publisher=[[C-SPAN]] |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=January 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104111625/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1j0FS0Z6ho |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> and that he had marched in the [[civil rights movement]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Flegenheimer |first=Matt |date=June 3, 2019 |title=Biden's First Run for President Was a Calamity. Some Missteps Still Resonate. |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/03/us/politics/biden-1988-presidential-campaign.html |access-date=June 3, 2019 |archive-date=June 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603140340/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/03/us/politics/biden-1988-presidential-campaign.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The limited amount of other news about the presidential race amplified these disclosures,<ref>{{cite book|last=Pomper |first=Gerald M. |url=https://archive.org/details/electionof1988re00pomp/page/37 |title=The Election of 1988 |publisher=Chatham House Publishers |year=1989 |isbn=978-0-934540-77-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/electionof1988re00pomp/page/37 37] |chapter=The Presidential Nominations |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/electionof1988re00pomp|access-date=August 28, 2021}}</ref> and on September 23, 1987, Biden withdrew his candidacy.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dionne |first=E. J. Jr. |author-link=E. J. Dionne |date=September 24, 1987 |title=Biden Withdraws Bid for President in Wake of Furor |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/24/us/biden-withdraws-bid-for-president-in-wake-of-furor.html |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=December 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221235355/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/24/us/biden-withdraws-bid-for-president-in-wake-of-furor.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2008 campaign === {{Main|Joe Biden 2008 presidential campaign}}

After exploring running in several previous cycles, in January 2007, Biden declared [[2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries|his candidacy in the 2008 elections]].<ref name="aap08-366" /><ref>{{cite news|date=August 12, 2003 |title=Sen. Biden not running for president |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/08/11/biden/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209123957/https://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/08/11/biden/index.html |archive-date=February 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Balz |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Balz |date=February 1, 2007 |title=Biden Stumbles at the Starting Gate |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/31/AR2007013100404.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018123657/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/31/AR2007013100404.html |archive-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref> Biden focused on the [[Iraq War]], his record as chairman of major Senate committees, and his foreign-policy experience.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 19, 2007 |title=Transcript: The Democratic Debate |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Decision2008/Story?id=3498294&page=1 |url-status=live |access-date=September 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011185127/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Decision2008/story?id=3498294&page=1 |archive-date=October 11, 2008}}</ref> Biden was noted for his [[one-line joke|one-liners]] during the campaign; in one debate he said of Republican candidate [[Rudy Giuliani]], "There's only three things he mentions in a sentence: a noun, and a verb and [[Cultural influence of the September 11 attacks|9/11]]."<ref>{{cite news|last=Farrell |first=Joelle |date=November 1, 2007 |title=A noun, a verb and 9/11 |newspaper=[[Concord Monitor]] |url=https://www.concordmonitor.com/2020/01/26/article-v-convention-32227378 |url-status=live |access-date=August 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828010554/https://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20071101%2FNEWS01%2F711010358%2F1043%2FNEWS01 |archive-date=August 28, 2008}}</ref>

Biden had difficulty raising funds, struggled to draw people to his rallies, and failed to gain traction against the high-profile candidacies of [[Barack Obama]] and [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>{{cite magazine|date=August 25, 2008 |title=Conventions 2008: Sen. Joseph Biden (D) |url=https://www.nationaljournal.com/conventions/co_20080825_3122.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906210353/https://www.nationaljournal.com/conventions/co_20080825_3122.php |archive-date=September 6, 2008 |access-date=September 16, 2008 |magazine=[[National Journal]]}}</ref> He never rose above single digits in [[Nationwide opinion polling for the Democratic Party 2008 presidential candidates|national polls of the Democratic candidates]]. In the first contest on January 3, 2008, Biden placed fifth in the [[Iowa Democratic caucuses, 2008|Iowa caucuses]], garnering slightly less than one percent of the state delegates.<ref>{{cite web|title=Iowa Democratic Party Caucus Results |url=https://www.iowacaucusresults.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229055041/https://www.iowacaucusresults.com/ |archive-date=December 29, 2008 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |publisher=[[Iowa Democratic Party]]}}</ref> He withdrew from the race that evening.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Murray |first=Shailagh |date=January 4, 2008 |title=Biden, Dodd Withdraw From Race |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/04/AR2008010400260.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 29, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520022844/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/04/AR2008010400260.html |archive-date=May 20, 2008}}</ref>

Despite its lack of success, Biden's 2008 campaign raised his stature in the political world.<ref name="gamechange">{{cite book|last1=Heilemann |first1=John |title=Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime |title-link=Game Change |last2=Halperin |first2=Mark |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-06-173363-5 |location=New York |author-link=John Heilemann |author-link2=Mark Halperin}}</ref>{{rp|336}} In particular, it changed the relationship between Biden and Obama. Although they had served together on the [[Senate Foreign Relations Committee]], they had not been close: Biden resented Obama's quick rise to political stardom,<ref name="nytm-traub">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Traub|first=James|author-link=James Traub|date=November 24, 2009|title=After Cheney |page=MM34 |magazine=[[The New York Times Magazine]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/magazine/29Biden-t.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103084703/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/magazine/29Biden-t.html|archive-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>{{sfn|Wolffe|2009|p=218}} while Obama viewed Biden as garrulous and patronizing.<ref name="gamechange" />{{rp|28, 337–338}} Having gotten to know each other during 2007, Obama appreciated Biden's campaign style and appeal to working-class voters, and Biden said he became convinced Obama was "the real deal".{{sfn|Wolffe|2009|p=218}}<ref name="gamechange" />{{rp|28, 337–338}}

== 2008 and 2012 vice presidential campaigns ==

=== 2008 campaign === {{Main|Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign|2008 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection}}

[[File:Biden Obama 3b.jpg|thumb|Biden speaks at the August 23, 2008, vice presidential announcement at the [[Old State Capitol State Historic Site|Old State Capitol]] in [[Springfield, Illinois]].|alt=Photo of Biden outdoors behind a lectern, with Obama seated behind him and smiling]]

In August 2008, Obama and Biden met in secret to discuss the possibility of a place for Biden in the Obama administration,<ref name="ny-lizza">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/10/20/bidens-brief |title=Biden's Brief |last=Lizza |first=Ryan |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |date=October 20, 2008 |access-date=November 24, 2008 |author-link=Ryan Lizza |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725212805/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/10/20/bidens-brief |url-status=live}}</ref> and developed a strong personal rapport.{{sfn|Wolffe|2009|p=218}} On August 22, Obama announced that Biden would be his [[running mate]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Obama's veep message to supporters |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082300455.html |first=Jose Antonio |last=Vargas |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 23, 2008 |access-date=August 23, 2008 |archive-date=December 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204011137/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082300455.html |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that the choice reflected a desire for someone with [[foreign policy]] and [[national security]] experience.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Adam |last1=Nagourney |author-link=Adam Nagourney |first2=Jeff|last2=Zeleny |title=Obama Chooses Biden as Running Mate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24biden.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825223450/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24biden.html |archive-date=August 25, 2008 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 23, 2008 |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> Others pointed out Biden's appeal to middle-class and [[blue-collar]] voters.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Dionne |first=E. J. Jr. |author-link=E. J. Dionne |title=Tramps Like Us: How Joe Biden will reassure working class voters and change the tenor of this week's convention |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/62212/tramps-us |magazine=[[The New Republic]] |date=August 25, 2008 |access-date=August 25, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828210626/https://tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=2ecbd0b9-c2c4-44d7-824a-603b4a418c74 |archive-date=August 28, 2008}}</ref>{{sfn|Wolffe|2009|p=217}} Biden was officially nominated for vice president on August 27 at the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/08/27/biden-accepts-vp-nomination// |title=Biden accepts VP nomination |first=Jennifer |last=Brown |newspaper=[[The Denver Post]] |date=August 27, 2008 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |archive-date=September 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907020534/https://www.denverpost.com/2008/08/27/biden-accepts-vp-nomination/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden's vice-presidential campaigning gained little media attention, as the press devoted far more coverage to the Republican nominee and then-[[governor of Alaska]], [[Sarah Palin]].<ref name="nyt-no2">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/20/us/politics/20biden.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921063344/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/20/us/politics/20biden.html |archive-date=September 21, 2008 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Meanwhile, the Other No. 2 Keeps On Punching |last=Leibovich |first=Mark |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 19, 2008 |access-date=September 20, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/joe-who.html |title=Joe Who? |last=Tapper |first=Jake |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=September 14, 2008 |access-date=September 15, 2008 |author-link=Jake Tapper |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915055913/https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/joe-who.html |archive-date=September 15, 2008}}</ref> Under instructions from the campaign, Biden kept his speeches succinct and tried to avoid offhand remarks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Broder |first=John M. |date=October 30, 2008 |title=Hitting the Backroads, and Having Less to Say |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/31/us/politics/31biden.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 31, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031091558/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/31/us/politics/31biden.html |archive-date=October 31, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Tumulty |first=Karen |date=October 29, 2008 |title=Hidin' Biden: Reining In a Voluble No. 2 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1855355,00.html |access-date=November 1, 2008 |archive-date=January 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109102805/https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1855355,00.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Privately, Biden's remarks frustrated Obama. "How many times is Biden gonna say something stupid?", he once angrily asked.<ref name="gamechange" />{{rp|411–414, 419}} Obama campaign staffers called Biden's blunders "Joe bombs" and kept Biden uninformed about strategy discussions, which irked Biden.<ref name="nyt0508122" /> Relations between the two campaigns became strained for a month, until Biden apologized to Obama and the two built a stronger partnership.<ref name="gamechange" />{{rp|411–414}}

As the [[2008 financial crisis]] reached a peak in September 2008, and the proposed [[Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008]] became a major factor in the campaign, Biden voted for the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which passed in the Senate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ny1.com/content/features/86538/senate-passes-economic-rescue-package/Default.aspx |title=Senate Passes Economic Rescue Package |publisher=[[NY1]] |date=October 1, 2008 |access-date=October 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005022401/https://www.ny1.com/content/features/86538/senate-passes-economic-rescue-package/Default.aspx |archive-date=October 5, 2008}}</ref> On October 2, he participated in the [[2008 United States presidential debates|vice-presidential debate]] with Palin at [[Washington University in St. Louis]]. Post-debate polls found that while Palin exceeded many voters' expectations, Biden had still won the debate overall.{{sfn|Witcover|2010|pp=655–661}} On November 4, Obama and Biden [[2008 United States presidential election|were elected]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/election.president/index.html |title=Obama: 'This is your victory' |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=November 5, 2008 |date=November 4, 2008 |archive-date=November 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081107223835/https://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/election.president/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Franke-Ruta |first=Garance |url=https://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/11/19/mccain_takes_missouri.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023022914/https://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/11/mccain-takes-missouri.html |title=McCain Takes Missouri |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-date=October 23, 2015 |date=November 19, 2008 |access-date=November 19, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/ |title=President—Election Center 2008 |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=November 19, 2008 |archive-date=November 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081109050840/https://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

As Biden was running for vice president, he was also running for reelection to the Senate,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Aug24/0,4670,CVNBidenTwoCampaigns,00.html |title=Biden Wages 2 Campaigns At Once |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=August 24, 2008 |access-date=August 29, 2008 |first=Randall |last=Chase |publisher=[[Fox News]] |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115185451/https://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Aug24/0,4670,CVNBidenTwoCampaigns,00.html |url-status=live}}</ref> as permitted by Delaware law.<ref name="aap08-366">''Almanac of American Politics'' 2008, p. 366.</ref> Having been [[2008 United States Senate election in Delaware|reelected]] to the Senate as well as the vice presidency,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-11-04-420465768_x.htm |title=Biden wins 7th Senate term but may not serve |last=Nuckols |first=Ben |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=November 4, 2008 |access-date=February 6, 2009 |archive-date=February 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226050628/https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-11-04-420465768_x.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden made a point of not resigning from the Senate before he was sworn in for his seventh term in January 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009901070333 |title=A bittersweet oath for Biden |last=Gaudiano |first=Nicole |newspaper=[[The News Journal]] |date=January 7, 2009 |access-date=February 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212100305/https://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009901070333 |archive-date=February 12, 2009}}</ref> He [[resignation from the United States Senate|resigned from the Senate]] on January 15.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 15, 2009 |title=Obama Wins $350B Senate TARP Vote |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Economy/story?id=6654133&page=1 |url-status=live |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104093212/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Economy/story?id=6654133&page=1 |archive-date=November 4, 2023 |access-date=July 9, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=January 16, 2009 |title=Senate swears in Biden replacement Kaufman |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28692968 |url-status=live |publisher=[[NBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924063807/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28692968 |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |access-date=July 9, 2024}}</ref>

=== 2012 campaign === {{Main|Barack Obama 2012 presidential campaign}}

[[File:P101112ps-488 Air Force One Obama watches VP debate.jpg|thumb|Obama watching Biden debate Paul Ryan in the vice-presidential debate on [[Air Force One]]]] In October 2010, Biden said Obama had asked him to remain as his running mate for the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 presidential election]],<ref name="nyt1013102" /> but with Obama's popularity declining, [[White House Chief of Staff]] [[William M. Daley]] conducted some secret polling and focus group research in late 2011 on the idea of replacing Biden with Hillary Clinton.<ref name="nyt-dd-replace" /> The notion was dropped when the results showed no appreciable improvement,<ref name="nyt-dd-replace">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/01/us/politics/book-details-consideration-of-replacing-biden-on-2012-ticket.html |title=Book Details Obama Aides' Talks About Replacing Biden on 2012 Ticket |last=Martin |first=Jonathan |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 31, 2013 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103082553/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/01/us/politics/book-details-consideration-of-replacing-biden-on-2012-ticket.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and White House officials later said Obama himself never entertained the idea.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico44/2013/11/wh-obama-never-considered-dropping-joe-biden-176520 |title=W.H.: Obama never considered dropping Joe Biden |last=Allen |first=Jonathan |newspaper=[[Politico]] |date=November 1, 2013 |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104143531/https://www.politico.com/politico44/2013/11/wh-obama-never-considered-dropping-biden-176520.html |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden's May 2012 statement that he was "absolutely comfortable" with [[same-sex marriage]] gained considerable public attention in comparison to Obama's position, which had been described as "evolving".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2012-may-06-la-na-biden-gay-marriage-20120507-story.html |title=Biden 'comfortable' with equal rights for gays who wed |date=May 6, 2012 |first=Christi |last=Parsons |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=May 8, 2012 |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526082737/https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2012-may-06-la-na-biden-gay-marriage-20120507-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden made his statement without administration consent, and Obama and his aides were irked, since Obama had planned to shift position in the build-up to the party convention.<ref name="nyt0508122" /><ref name="ap051012">{{#invoke:cite|news| url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/ap-source-biden-apologizes-to-obama-over-comments | title=AP source: Biden apologizes to Obama over comments | agency=[[Associated Press]] | publisher=[[Fox News]] | date=May 10, 2012 | access-date=May 16, 2012 | archive-date=October 6, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006123920/https://www.foxnews.com/us/ap-source-biden-apologizes-to-obama-over-comments | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/08/6-hidden-obama-campaign-fault-lines-080028 |title=6 hidden fault lines in President Obama's campaign |last=Thursh |first=Glenn |newspaper=[[Politico]] |date=August 23, 2012 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208190849/https://www.politico.com/story/2012/08/6-hidden-obama-campaign-fault-lines-080028 |url-status=live}}</ref> Gay rights advocates seized upon Biden's statement,<ref name="ap051012" /> and within days, Obama announced that he too supported same-sex marriage, an action in part forced by Biden's remarks.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/us/politics/obama-says-same-sex-marriage-should-be-legal.html | title=Obama Says Same-Sex Marriage Should Be Legal | first1=Jackie | last1=Calmes | first2=Peter | last2=Baker | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | date=May 9, 2012 | access-date=May 10, 2012 | archive-date=May 10, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510014102/https://www.nytimes.comhttps://2012/05/10/us/politics/obama-says-same-sex-marriage-should-be-legal.html | url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden had a heavy schedule of appearances in swing states as the reelection campaign began in earnest in spring 2012.<ref name="time-be-joe">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Von Drehle |first=David |author-link=David Von Drehle |date=September 10, 2012 |title=Let There Be Joe |pages=41–43 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2123322,00.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109162947/https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2123322,00.html |archive-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref><ref name="time-mo">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Mo Joe |last=Scherer |first=Michael |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,2116132-1,00.html |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=June 11, 2012 |pages=26–30 |access-date=September 6, 2022 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927141830/https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,2116132-1,00.html |url-status=live}}</ref> An August 2012 remark before a mixed-race audience that Republican proposals to relax Wall Street regulations would "put y'all back in chains" again drew attention to Biden's propensity for colorful remarks.<ref name="time-be-joe" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Memoli |first=Michael A. |date=August 17, 2012 |title=Biden's unscripted moments keep campaign on its toes |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-aug-17-la-na-biden-20120817-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103082611/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-aug-17-la-na-biden-20120817-story.html |archive-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/08/mission-impossible-managing-biden-079776 |title=Mission Impossible: Managing Joe Biden |last=Martin |first=Jonathan |newspaper=[[Politico]] |date=August 16, 2012 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103084811/https://www.politico.com/story/2012/08/mission-impossible-managing-biden-079776 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the first presidential debate of the general election, in which Obama's performance was considered surprisingly lackluster,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=October 8, 2012 |title=Romney Narrows Vote Gap After Historic Debate Win |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/157907/romney-narrows-vote-gap-historic-debate-win.aspx |access-date=January 29, 2024 |publisher=[[Gallup, Inc.]] |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129055644/https://news.gallup.com/poll/157907/romney-narrows-vote-gap-historic-debate-win.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> his lead over Romney collapsed,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=October 8, 2012 |title=Romney's Strong Debate Performance Erases Obama's Lead |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2012/10/08/romneys-strong-debate-performance-erases-obamas-lead/ |access-date=January 29, 2024 |publisher=[[Pew Research Center]] |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129055644/https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2012/10/08/romneys-strong-debate-performance-erases-obamas-lead/ |url-status=live}}</ref> putting pressure on Biden to stop the bleeding with a strong showing against the Republican vice-presidential nominee, [[Paul Ryan]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Reston |first=Maeve |date=September 25, 2016 |title=When Romney trounced Obama |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/25/politics/obama-debate-election-2012/index.html |access-date=January 29, 2024 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129055644/https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/25/politics/obama-debate-election-2012/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=MacAskill |first=Ewen |date=October 4, 2012 |title=Mitt Romney comes out on top as Obama stumbles in first debate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/04/romney-obama-first-presidential-debate |access-date=January 29, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129055644/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/04/romney-obama-first-presidential-debate |url-status=live}}</ref> Some political analysts considered Biden's performance in the October 11 vice-presidential debate one of the best of his career<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Strauss |first=Daniel |date=September 27, 2020 |title=Biden's team hopes for repeat of his 2012 performance as Trump debate nears |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/27/trump-biden-us-presidential-debate-2012 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129055644/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/27/trump-biden-us-presidential-debate-2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=O'Brien |first=Michael |date=October 11, 2012 |title=Biden plays aggressor in debate as Ryan makes GOP case |url=https://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/11/14376267-biden-plays-aggressor-in-debate-as-ryan-argues-gop-case |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928140933/https://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/11/14376267-biden-plays-aggressor-in-debate-as-ryan-argues-gop-case |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |publisher=[[NBC News]]}}</ref> and a key factor in Obama's rebound in the polls and eventual victory.<ref>{{cite web|last=Silver |first=Nate |date=October 12, 2012 |title=In Polls, Biden Gets a Hold |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/12/in-polls-biden-gets-a-hold/ |access-date=January 29, 2024 |website=FiveThirtyEight |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129055644/https://archive.nytimes.com/fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/12/in-polls-biden-gets-a-hold/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=October 12, 2012 |title=Sparks fly as Biden, Ryan face off in feisty vice presidential debate |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/sparks-fly-as-biden-ryan-face-off-in-feisty-vice-presidential-debate |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103082631/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/sparks-fly-as-biden-ryan-face-off-in-feisty-vice-presidential-debate |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |publisher=[[Fox News]]}}</ref> The debate also became memorable for the popularization of Biden's use of the phrase "a bunch of malarkey" in response to an attack by Ryan on the administration's response to the [[2012 Benghazi attack|attacks on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi]] in September.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Memmott |first=Mark |date=October 12, 2012 |title=What's All This Malarkey About Malarkey? |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/10/12/162791655/whats-all-this-malarkey-about-malarkey |access-date=January 28, 2024 |publisher=NPR |archive-date=June 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606155406/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/10/12/162791655/whats-all-this-malarkey-about-malarkey |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Guarino |first=Ben |date=July 28, 2016 |title=Joe Biden loves the word 'malarkey.' But nobody knows where it came from. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/07/28/joe-biden-loves-the-word-malarkey-but-nobody-knows-where-it-came-from/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828231353/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/07/28/joe-biden-loves-the-word-malarkey-but-nobody-knows-where-it-came-from/ |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Biden reused the phrase during his 2020 presidential campaign.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Bump |first=Philip |date=December 2, 2019 |title=The unexpected nostalgia of Biden's 'malarkey' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/12/02/unexpected-nostalgia-bidens-malarkey/ |access-date=January 28, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007174617/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/12/02/unexpected-nostalgia-bidens-malarkey/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On November 6, Obama and Biden were reelected.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-defeats-romney-to-win-second-term-vows-he-has-more-work-to-do | title=Obama defeats Romney to win second term, vows he has 'more work to do' | publisher=[[Fox News]] | date=November 7, 2012 | access-date=August 27, 2021 | archive-date=February 15, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215014622/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-defeats-romney-to-win-second-term-vows-he-has-more-work-to-do | url-status=live}}</ref>

== Vice presidency (2009–2017) == {{main|Vice presidency of Joe Biden}}

=== First term (2009–2013) === {{See also|First inauguration of Barack Obama}} [[File:Joe Biden sworn in 1-20-09 hires 090120-N-0696M-204a.jpg|thumb|Biden being sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice [[John Paul Stevens]] on January 20, 2009|alt=Photo of Biden raising his right hand, reciting the Oath]] Biden said he intended to eliminate some explicit roles assumed by [[George W. Bush]]'s vice president, [[Dick Cheney]], and did not intend to emulate any previous vice presidency.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/22/biden.lkl/index.html |title=Biden says he'll be different vice president |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=December 22, 2008 |access-date=December 22, 2008 |archive-date=December 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224093055/https://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/22/biden.lkl/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He was sworn in on January 20, 2009.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=January 20, 2009|title=In culminating moment, Biden is vice president |work=[[The Oregonian]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2009/01/in_culminating_moment_biden_is.html|access-date=July 27, 2016|archive-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101194210/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2009/01/in_culminating_moment_biden_is.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the first vice president from [[Delaware]]<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=November 3, 2008 |title=Think you know your election trivia? |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/03/election.trivia/index.html |access-date=November 9, 2008 |archive-date=November 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106075757/https://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/03/election.trivia/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the first [[Roman Catholic]] vice president.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Ken |last=Rudin |date=January 9, 2009|title=The First Catholic Vice President? |publisher=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/politicaljunkie/2009/01/the_first_catholic_vice_presid.html|access-date=September 25, 2019|archive-date=September 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925060421/https://www.npr.org/sections/politicaljunkie/2009/01/the_first_catholic_vice_presid.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Gaudiano |first=Nicole|date=November 6, 2008 |title=VP's home awaits if Biden chooses |work=[[The News Journal]] |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/article/20081106/NEWS02/811060379 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081109060406/https://www.delawareonline.com/article/20081106/NEWS02/811060379 |archive-date=November 9, 2008}}</ref> Members of the Obama administration said Biden's role in the White House was to be a contrarian and force others to defend their positions.<ref name="The New York Times-2">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=April 28, 2019|title=Biden and Obama's 'Odd Couple' Relationship Aged Into Family Ties|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/28/us/politics/barack-obama-biden.html|access-date=April 26, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606093422/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/28/us/politics/barack-obama-biden.html|quote=He was also the in-house skeptic on the use of force, arguing against a troop surge to Afghanistan, military intervention in Libya and the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.|url-status=live}}</ref> White House chief of staff [[Rahm Emanuel]] said Biden helped counter [[groupthink]].<ref name="nyt032809">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Leibovich|first=Mark|date=March 28, 2009|title=Speaking Freely, Biden Finds Influential Role|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/us/politics/29biden.html|access-date=March 31, 2009|archive-date=April 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401232903/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/us/politics/29biden.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bidens maintained a relaxed atmosphere at their [[Number One Observatory Circle|official residence]] in Washington, often entertaining their grandchildren, and regularly returned to their home in Delaware.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Parnes|first=Amie|date=June 28, 2011|title=The Bidens' 'regular' lives|newspaper=[[Politico]]|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/06/the-bidens-regular-lives-057887|access-date=June 28, 2011|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016194519/https://www.politico.com/story/2011/06/the-bidens-regular-lives-057887|url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden oversaw [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009#Infrastructure investment|infrastructure spending from the Obama stimulus package]] intended to help counteract the [[Late-2000s recession|ongoing recession]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|magazine|last=Scherer|first=Michael|date=July 1, 2009|title=What Happened to the Stimulus?|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1908417,00.html|access-date=July 8, 2009|archive-date=January 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109095116/https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1908417,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Confronted with rising unemployment through July 2009, Biden acknowledged that the administration had "misread how bad the economy was", but maintained confidence the stimulus package would create many more jobs once the pace of expenditures picked up.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=July 5, 2009|title=Biden: 'We misread how bad the economy was'|publisher=[[NBC News]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/31745563|access-date=July 9, 2009|archive-date=December 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217104812/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/31745563/|url-status=live}}</ref> When he completed that role in February 2011, he said the number of fraud incidents with stimulus monies had been less than one percent.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Travers|first=Karen|date=February 17, 2011|title='Sheriff Joe' Biden Touts Recovery Act Success—and Hands Over His Badge|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|url=https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2011/02/sheriff-joe-biden-touts-recovery-act-success-and-hands-over-his-badge.html|url-status=dead|access-date=March 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221153327/https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2011/02/sheriff-joe-biden-touts-recovery-act-success-and-hands-over-his-badge.html|archive-date=February 21, 2011}}</ref>

Biden's off-message response to a question in April 2009, during the beginning of the [[2009 flu pandemic|swine flu outbreak]], led to a swift retraction by the White House.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Silva|first1=Mark|last2=Parsons|first2=Christi|date=May 1, 2009|title=White House adjusts Biden's swine flu advice|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-may-01-na-biden1-story.html|access-date=May 28, 2009|archive-date=October 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009170032/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-may-01-na-biden1-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The remark revived Biden's reputation for [[Political gaffe|gaffes]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=May 1, 2009|title=White House tempers Biden's swine flu advice|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|url=https://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/05/01/white_house_tempers_bidens_swine_flu_advice/|url-status=dead |access-date=May 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505114058/https://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/05/01/white_house_tempers_bidens_swine_flu_advice/|archive-date=May 5, 2009}}</ref><ref name="nw-cov-1010092" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Kurtzman|first=Daniel|date=May 8, 2009|title=The Week's Best Late-Night Jokes|publisher=[[About.com]]|url=https://www.liveabout.com/late-night-political-jokes-2733896|access-date=May 28, 2009|archive-date=June 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611193402/https://www.liveabout.com/late-night-political-jokes-2733896|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[hot mic]] picked up Biden telling Obama that his signing the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] was "a big fucking deal" on March 23, 2010.<ref>{{cite news| title=Joe Biden: 'This is a big fucking deal'| last=Adams| first=Richard| work=[[The Guardian]]| date=March 23, 2010| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/richard-adams-blog/2010/mar/23/joe-biden-obama-big-fucking-deal-overheard}}</ref> Despite their different personalities, Obama and Biden formed a friendship, partly based around Obama's daughter Sasha and Biden's granddaughter Maisy, who attended [[Sidwell Friends School]] together.<ref name="nyt0508122">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Leibovich|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Leibovich |date=May 7, 2012|title=For a Blunt Biden, an Uneasy Supporting Role|page=1|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/08/us/politics/for-a-blunt-biden-an-uneasy-supporting-role.html|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103081748/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/08/us/politics/for-a-blunt-biden-an-uneasy-supporting-role.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden visited [[Kosovo]] in May 2009 and affirmed the U.S. position that its "independence is irreversible".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|journal|last=Chun|first=Kwang-Ho|title=Kosovo: A New European Nation-State?|url=https://s-space.snu.ac.kr/bitstream/10371/96517/1/5.Kosovo-A-New-European-Nation-State_Kwang-ho-Chun.pdf|journal=Journal of International and Area Studies|volume=18|issue=1|year=2011|pages=91, 94|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103082124/https://s-space.snu.ac.kr/bitstream/10371/96517/1/5.Kosovo-A-New-European-Nation-State_Kwang-ho-Chun.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> He lost an internal debate to Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] about [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|sending 21,000 new troops to Afghanistan]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Dilanian|first=Ken|date=June 11, 2009|title=In a supporting role, Clinton takes a low-key approach at State Dept.|work=[[USA Today]]|url=https://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20090611/1aclinton11_cv.art.htm|access-date=July 22, 2009|archive-date=May 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516020144/https://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20090611/1aclinton11_cv.art.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Smith|first=Ben|date=June 23, 2009|title=Hillary Clinton toils in the shadows|work=[[Politico]]|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/06/clinton-toils-in-the-shadows-024067|access-date=July 22, 2009|archive-date=September 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916005405/https://www.politico.com/story/2009/06/clinton-toils-in-the-shadows-024067|url-status=live}}</ref> but his skepticism was valued,<ref name="pol091609">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Cummings|first=Jeanne|date=September 16, 2009|title=Joe Biden, 'the skunk at the family picnic'|publisher=[[The Politico]]|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/09/the-skunk-at-the-family-picnic-027211|access-date=September 17, 2009}}</ref> and his views gained more influence as Obama reconsidered his Afghanistan strategy.<ref name="nw-cov-1010092">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Bailey|first1=Holly|last2=Thomas|first2=Evan|author-link2=Evan Thomas|date=October 10, 2009|title=An Inconvenient Truth Teller|magazine=[[Newsweek]]|url=https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-white-house-truth-teller-81181|access-date=November 6, 2009|archive-date=November 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123063731/https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-white-house-truth-teller-81181|url-status=live}}</ref> Obama delegated Biden to oversee Iraq policy, and he became the administration's point man in delivering messages to Iraqi leadership before the exit of U.S. troops in 2011.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref name="time-mo" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Crowley|first=Michael|date=November 9, 2014|title=The war over President Obama's new war in Iraq|work=[[Politico]]|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/president-obama-war-iraq-112730|access-date=August 26, 2015|archive-date=October 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013002931/https://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/president-obama-war-iraq-112730|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="pol091609" /><ref name="nytm-traub" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|magazine|last=Osnos|first=Evan|author-link=Evan Osnos|date=August 12, 2014|title=Breaking Up: Maliki and Biden|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/breaking-maliki-biden|access-date=August 26, 2015|archive-date=October 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002053443/https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/breaking-maliki-biden|url-status=live}}</ref> }} [[File:Obama and Biden await updates on bin Laden.jpg|thumb|Biden, Obama and the national security team gathered in the [[White House Situation Room]] to monitor the progress of the May 2011 [[Killing of Osama bin Laden|mission]] to kill [[Osama bin Laden]].|alt=Photo of Obama, Biden, and national security staffers in the Situation Room, somberly listening to updates on the bin Laden raid]] Biden campaigned heavily for Democrats in the [[United States elections, 2010|2010 midterm elections]], maintaining an attitude of optimism in the face of predictions of large-scale losses for the party.<ref name="nyt1013102">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Stolberg|first=Sheryl Gay|date=October 12, 2010|title=Vice President Tries to Energize Democrats|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/us/politics/13biden.html|access-date=October 14, 2010|archive-date=October 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028044617/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/us/politics/13biden.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After big Republican gains in the elections and Emanuel's departure, Biden's past relationships with Republicans in Congress became more important.<ref name="pol1209102">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Lee|first1=Carol E.|last2=Bresnahan|first2=John|date=December 9, 2010|title=Joe Biden expands role as White House link to Congress|newspaper=[[Politico]]|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/12/biden-steps-into-rahms-shoes-046173|access-date=December 10, 2010|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016194519/https://www.politico.com/story/2010/12/biden-steps-into-rahms-shoes-046173|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt1211102">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Cooper|first=Helene|date=December 11, 2010|title=As the Ground Shifts, Biden Plays a Bigger Role|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/us/politics/12biden.html|access-date=December 13, 2010|archive-date=December 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213044241/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/us/politics/12biden.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He led the successful administration effort to gain Senate approval for the [[New START treaty]].<ref name="pol1209102" /><ref name="nyt1211102" /> In December 2010, Biden's advocacy for a middle ground, followed by his negotiations with Senate minority leader [[Mitch McConnell]], were instrumental in producing the administration's compromise tax package that included a temporary [[extension of the Bush tax cuts]].<ref name="nyt1211102" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Hulse|first1=Carl|last2=Calmes|first2=Jackie|date=December 7, 2010|title=Biden and G.O.P. Leader Helped Hammer Out Bipartisan Tax Accord|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/08/us/politics/08deal.html|access-date=December 8, 2010|archive-date=December 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208043606/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/08/us/politics/08deal.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The package passed as the [[Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010]].

Obama delegated Biden to lead negotiations with Congress during the [[United States debt-ceiling crisis of 2011|2011 U.S. debt ceiling crisis]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Congress averts shutdown, sends stopgap to Obama |date=March 2, 2011 |first1=Andy |last1=Sullivan |first2=Kim |last2=Dixon |first3=Alister |last3=Bull |first4=Thomas |last4=Ferraro |first5=Richard |last5=Cowan |publisher=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-spending-idUSTRE7205MS20110302}}</ref> Biden's relationship with McConnell brought about the [[Budget Control Act of 2011]] that solved the crisis.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Thrush |first1=Glenn |last2=Brown |first2=Carrie Budoff |last3=Raju |first3=Manu |last4=Bresnahan |first4=John |date=August 2, 2011 |title=Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell and the making of a debt deal |newspaper=[[Politico]] |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/08/biden-mcconnell-and-the-making-of-a-deal-060463 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-date=September 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922144250/https://www.politico.com/story/2011/08/biden-mcconnell-and-the-making-of-a-deal-060463|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=August 3, 2011 |first1=Ben |last1=Feller |first2=Julie |last2=Pace |first3=Laurie |last3=Kellman |first4=Nancy |last4=Benac |title=The real drama was in private as debt deal hatched |publisher=[[Fox News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/the-real-drama-was-in-private-as-debt-deal-hatched |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230142752/https://www.foxnews.com/us/the-real-drama-was-in-private-as-debt-deal-hatched |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Bohan |first1=Caren |last2=Sullivan |first2=Andy |last3=Ferraro |first3=Thomas |date=August 3, 2011 |title=Special report: How Washington took the U.S. to the brink |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-debt-brink/special-report-how-washington-took-the-u-s-to-the-brink-idUSTRE77271R20110803|access-date=August 4, 2011|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013231825/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-debt-brink/special-report-how-washington-took-the-u-s-to-the-brink-idUSTRE77271R20110803|url-status=live}}</ref> Some reports suggest that Biden opposed proceeding with the May 2011 [[U.S. mission to kill Osama bin Laden]],<ref name="time-mo" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Weigel |first=David |author-link=David Weigel |date=January 10, 2014 |title=Hillary Told the President That Her Opposition to the Surge in Iraq Had Been Political |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/01/robert-gates-duty-hillary-told-the-president-that-her-opposition-to-the-surge-in-iraq-had-been-political.html |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103082441/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/01/robert-gates-duty-hillary-told-the-president-that-her-opposition-to-the-surge-in-iraq-had-been-political.html |url-status=live}}</ref> lest failure adversely affect Obama's reelection prospects.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Thiessen |first=Marc A. |date=October 8, 2012 |title=Biden's Bin Laden Hypocrisy |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-bidens-bin-laden-hypocrisy/2012/10/08/990aca7c-114d-11e2-be82-c3411b7680a9_story.html |access-date=August 29, 2015 |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904124649/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-bidens-bin-laden-hypocrisy/2012/10/08/990aca7c-114d-11e2-be82-c3411b7680a9_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Andersen Brower |first=Kate |date=June 1, 2018 |title=Hillary Clinton's 'ass-covering' on bin Laden raid 'rattled' Biden |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/390144-hillary-clintons-ass-covering-on-bin-laden-raid-rattled-biden |access-date=April 29, 2019 |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513134732/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/390144-hillary-clintons-ass-covering-on-bin-laden-raid-rattled-biden |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, Biden made the case for Obama's reelection: "Osama bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive."<ref>{{cite news| last=Dwyer| first=Devin| title=Biden's Shorthand For First Term: 'Osama bin Laden Dead, General Motors Alive'| work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]| date=January 31, 2012| url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/01/bidens-shorthand-for-obama-1st-term-osama-bin-laden-dead-general-motors-alive}}</ref>

Obama named Biden to head the [[Gun Violence Task Force]], created to address the causes of [[school shooting]]s and consider possible [[gun control]] measures in the aftermath of the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]], in December 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Caldwell|first=Leigh Ann|date=December 19, 2012|title=Obama sets up gun violence task force|publisher=[[CBS News]]|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-sets-up-gun-violence-task-force/|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115185454/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-sets-up-gun-violence-task-force/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, during the final days before the United States fell off the "[[United States fiscal cliff|fiscal cliff]]", Biden's relationship with McConnell again proved important as the two negotiated a deal that led to the [[American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012]] being passed at the start of 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jan/01/its-over-house-passes-fiscal-cliff-deal/ |title=It's over: House passes 'fiscal cliff' deal |last=Demirjian |first=Karoun |newspaper=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |date=January 1, 2013 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115185455/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jan/01/its-over-house-passes-fiscal-cliff-deal/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ap-cliff">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.startribune.com/politics/national/185276422.html |title=Congress' OK of fiscal cliff deal gives Obama a win, prevents GOP blame for tax boosts |last=Fram|first=Alan |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[Star Tribune]] |location=Minneapolis |date=January 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105020524/https://www.startribune.com/politics/national/185276422.html |archive-date=January 5, 2013}}</ref>

=== Second term (2013–2017) === {{See also|Second inauguration of Barack Obama}} [[File:Joe Biden official portrait 2013.jpg|thumb|upright=.7|left|Biden's official portrait as vice president, 2013]] Biden was inaugurated to a second term on January 20, 2013, at a small ceremony at [[Number One Observatory Circle]], his official residence, with Justice [[Sonia Sotomayor]] presiding (a public ceremony took place on January 21).<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-inauguration-biden-idUSBRE90J08B20130120 | title=Vice President Biden sworn into office for second term | last=Rampton|first=Roberta | publisher=[[Reuters]] | date=January 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122062434/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/20/us-usa-inauguration-biden-idUSBRE90J08B20130120| archive-date=January 22, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> He played little part in discussions that led to the October 2013 passage of the [[Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014]], which resolved the [[2013 United States federal government shutdown|federal government shutdown of 2013]] and the [[United States debt-ceiling crisis of 2013|debt-ceiling crisis of 2013]]. Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] and other Democratic leaders cut him out of direct talks with Congress, feeling Biden had given too much away during previous negotiations.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/anatomy-of-a-shutdown-098518 |title=Anatomy of a shutdown |last1=Bresnahan |first1=John |last2=Manu |first2=Raju |last3=Sherman |first3=Jake |last4=Brown |first4=Carrie Budoff |newspaper=[[Politico]] |date=October 18, 2013 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115185529/https://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/anatomy-of-a-shutdown-098518 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/10/13/biden-mostly-out-of-sight-during-shutdown-showdown/2968373/ |title=Biden mostly out of sight as shutdown drags on |last=Gaudiano |first=Nicole |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=October 13, 2013 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103082716/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/10/13/biden-mostly-out-of-sight-during-shutdown-showdown/2968373/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news| url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/biden-takes-back-seat-in-budget-negotiations-during-shutdown | title=Biden takes a back seat during budget negotiations over shutdown | last=Bowman | first=Bridget | work=[[PBS NewsHour]] | publisher=[[PBS]] | date=October 14, 2013 | access-date=January 24, 2021 | archive-date=January 3, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103082723/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/biden-takes-back-seat-in-budget-negotiations-during-shutdown | url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden's Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized again in 2013. The act led to related developments, such as the [[White House Council on Women and Girls]], begun in the first term, as well as the [[White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault]], begun in January 2014 with Biden and [[Valerie Jarrett]] as co-chairs.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/sexual_assault_report_1-21-14.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121105625/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/sexual_assault_report_1-21-14.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=January 21, 2017 |title=Rape and sexual assault: A renewed call to action |date=January 2014 |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |publisher=[[White House]] |access-date=August 24, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/22/memorandum-establishing-white-house-task-force-protect-students-sexual-a | title=Memorandum: Establishing White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault | date=January 22, 2014 | access-date=June 10, 2014 | archive-date=January 22, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122115707/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/22/memorandum-establishing-white-house-task-force-protect-students-sexual-a | via=[[NARA|National Archives]] | publisher=[[White House]] | url-status=live}}</ref> He talked about sexual violence while introducing [[Lady Gaga]] at the [[88th Academy Awards]] in 2016, receiving a [[standing ovation]] from the audience.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stone |first=Natalie |date=February 28, 2016 |title=Oscars: Joe Biden Introduces Lady Gaga for Performance of 'Til It Happens to You' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/lady-gagas-oscars-performance-til-870679/ |access-date=May 22, 2024 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301042445/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lady-gagas-oscars-performance-til-870679 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, Biden favored arming Syria's rebel fighters in Operation [[Timber Sycamore]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Who to Blame If Arming the Syrian Rebels Goes Wrong |first=Conor |last=Friedersdorf |author-link=Conor Friedersdorf |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/09/who-to-blame-if-arming-syrian-rebels-goes-wrong/380411/ |magazine=[[The Atlantic]] |date=September 18, 2014 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512184447/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/09/who-to-blame-if-arming-syrian-rebels-goes-wrong/380411/ |url-status=live}}</ref> As the [[ISIL]] [[War in Iraq (2013–2017)|insurgency in Iraq]] intensified in 2014, renewed attention was paid to the Biden-Gelb Iraqi federalization plan of 2006, with some observers suggesting Biden had been right all along.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/joe-biden-iraq-107858 | title=Was Joe Biden right? | last=Gerstein | first=Josh | newspaper=[[Politico]] | date=June 13, 2014 | access-date=September 14, 2014 | archive-date=September 27, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927001111/https://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/joe-biden-iraq-107858 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/62830 |title=Turns Out, Joe Biden Was Right About Dividing Iraq |last=Kitfield |first=James |magazine=[[National Journal]] |date=January 30, 2014 |access-date=September 14, 2014 |archive-date=October 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011194233/https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/62830 |url-status=live}}</ref> He had close relationships with several Latin American leaders and visited the region 16 times during his vice presidency, the most of any president or vice president.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Paz|first=Christian|date=October 26, 2020|title=The Biden Doctrine Begins With Latin America|magazine=[[The Atlantic]]|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/10/joe-biden-foreign-policy-latin-america/616841/|access-date=November 15, 2020|issn=1072-7825|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111041523/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/10/joe-biden-foreign-policy-latin-america/616841/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2016, Biden visited [[Serbia]], where he met with the Serbian Prime Minister [[Aleksandar Vučić]] and expressed condolences for civilian victims of the bombing campaign during the Kosovo War.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Melander |first1=Ingrid |date=August 16, 2016 |title=Biden offers condolences for Serbs killed in 1999 NATO air strikes |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-balkans-biden-serbia/biden-offers-condolences-for-serbs-killed-in-1999-nato-air-strikes-idUSKCN10R1ZD |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115185455/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-balkans-biden-serbia/biden-offers-condolences-for-serbs-killed-in-1999-nato-air-strikes-idUSKCN10R1ZD |archive-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> Biden never [[List of tie-breaking votes cast by vice presidents of the United States|cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate]], making him the longest-serving vice president with this distinction.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bycoffe|first=Aaron|date=February 7, 2017|title=Pence Has Already Done Something Biden Never Did: Break A Senate Tie|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/pence-has-already-done-something-biden-never-did-break-a-senate-tie/|website=[[FiveThirtyEight]]|quote=Twelve vice presidents, including Biden, never broke a tie; Biden was the longest-serving vice president to never do so.|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103082937/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/pence-has-already-done-something-biden-never-did-break-a-senate-tie/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During his second term, Biden was often said to be preparing for a bid for the [[2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries|2016 Democratic presidential nomination]].<ref name="Itkowitz1" /> With his family, friends, and donors encouraging him in mid-2015 to enter the race, and with [[Hillary Clinton]]'s favorability ratings in decline at that time, Biden was reported to be seriously considering the prospect and a "[[Draft (politics)|Draft]] Biden 2016" [[Political action committee]] (PAC) was established.<ref name="Itkowitz1">{{cite news|first=Colby |last=Itkowitz |title=There is a 'Draft Joe Biden' Super PAC Now; It's Even Hiring a Fundraiser |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=March 23, 2015 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/03/23/job-opening-raise-money-to-draft-joe-biden-to-run-in-2016/ |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-date=July 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716011912/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/03/23/job-opening-raise-money-to-draft-joe-biden-to-run-in-2016/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Maureen |last=Dowd |title=Joe Biden in 2016: What Would Beau Do? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/opinion/sunday/maureen-dowd-joe-biden-in-2016-what-would-beau-do.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 1, 2015 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106105547/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/opinion/sunday/maureen-dowd-joe-biden-in-2016-what-would-beau-do.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Jeff |last1=Zeleny |first2=Kevin |last2=Liptak |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/31/politics/vice-president-joe-biden-presidential-elections/ |title=Joe Biden Keeps Watchful Eye on 2016 Race |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=August 1, 2015 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202185430/https://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/31/politics/vice-president-joe-biden-presidential-elections/ |url-status=live}}</ref> During 2015, Biden was uncertain about running, particularly due to the recent death of his son Beau,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34216117|title=Joe Biden still undecided on presidential run|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=September 11, 2015|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103083021/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34216117|url-status=live}}</ref> before announcing his decision not to run that October.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeff |last=Mason |url=https://www.aol.com/article/2015/10/21/biden-announces-hes-not-running-for-president/21252056/ |title=Biden says he will not seek 2016 Democratic nomination |date=October 21, 2015 |access-date=October 21, 2015 |publisher=[[AOL]] |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022211907/https://www.aol.com/article/2015/10/21/biden-announces-hes-not-running-for-president/21252056/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Mollie|last=Reilly|title=Joe Biden Is Not Running For President In 2016|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-biden-president-2016_n_55f1cefbe4b093be51be0d69|work=[[HuffPost]]|date=October 21, 2015|access-date=October 21, 2015|archive-date=April 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405213056/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-biden-president-2016_n_55f1cefbe4b093be51be0d69|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first1=Colleen|last1=McCain Nelson|first2=Peter|last2=Nicholas|title=Joe Biden Decides Not to Enter Presidential Race|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-biden-decides-not-to-enter-presidential-race-1445444657|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=October 21, 2015|access-date=October 21, 2015|archive-date=October 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021204730/https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-biden-decides-not-to-enter-presidential-race-1445444657|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Between tenures (2017–2021) == [[File:The Funeral of President George H.W. Bush (32332101008).jpg|thumb|Biden attending the [[Death and state funeral of George H. W. Bush|state funeral of George H. W. Bush]] in December 2018]]

Biden left office on January 20, 2017, and was succeeded by the 48th [[Vice President of the United States|vice president of the United States]], [[Mike Pence]]. After leaving the vice presidency, Biden became an honorary professor at the [[University of Pennsylvania]], developing the [[Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement]]. Biden remained in that position until 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2021/10/23/biden-administration-penn/|title=The Biden Administration Keeps Tapping Penn People for Major Roles: D.C.'s gain is Philly's loss|first=Sandy|last=Hingston|magazine=Philadelphia|date=October 23, 2021|accessdate=March 5, 2022|archive-date=March 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305173530/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2021/10/23/biden-administration-penn/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Tamari |first=Jonathan |date=July 12, 2019 |title=Penn has paid Joe Biden more than $900K since he left the White House. What did he do to earn the money? |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/joe-biden-penn-salary-lectures-20190712.html |access-date=February 22, 2023 |magazine=[[Philadelphia (magazine)|Philadelphia]] |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222055817/https://www.inquirer.com/news/joe-biden-penn-salary-lectures-20190712.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, Biden wrote a memoir, ''[[Promise Me, Dad]]'', and went on a book tour.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Kane|first=Paul|title=Biden wraps up book tour amid persistent questions about the next chapter|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/biden-wraps-up-book-tour-amid-persistent-questions-about-the-next-chapter/2018/06/11/33ebbe8e-6daf-11e8-bf86-a2351b5ece99_story.html|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=November 10, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107171225/https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/biden-wraps-up-book-tour-amid-persistent-questions-about-the-next-chapter/2018/06/11/33ebbe8e-6daf-11e8-bf86-a2351b5ece99_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2019, he and his wife reported that they had earned over $15 million since the end of his vice presidency from speaking engagements and book sales.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Eder|first1=Steve|last2=Glueck|first2=Katie|date=July 9, 2019|title=Joe Biden's Tax Returns Show More Than $15 Million in Income After 2016|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/us/politics/joe-biden-net-worth.html|access-date=July 16, 2019|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715211457/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/us/politics/joe-biden-net-worth.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden remained in the public eye, endorsing candidates while continuing to comment on politics, climate change, and the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|presidency of Donald Trump]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/05/28/biden-backing-phil-murphy-says-nj-governors-race-single-most-important-112380|title=Biden backs Phil Murphy, says N.J. governor's race 'most important' in nation|first=Ryan|last=Hutchins|date=May 28, 2017|magazine=[[Politico]]|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=December 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230125059/https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/05/28/biden-backing-phil-murphy-says-nj-governors-race-single-most-important-112380|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="foreign-policy2" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/335859-biden-paris-deal-best-way-to-protect-us-leadership|title=Biden: Paris deal 'best way to protect' US leadership|first=Max|last=Greenwood|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=May 31, 2017|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225090215/https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/335859-biden-paris-deal-best-way-to-protect-us-leadership|url-status=live}}</ref> He also continued to speak out in favor of LGBT rights, continuing advocacy on an issue he had become more closely associated with during his vice presidency.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Edward-Isaac|last=Dovere|title=VP's LGBT comments raise eyebrows |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/joe-biden-lgbt-workplace-discrimination-executive-order-human-rights-campaign-105018 |magazine=[[Politico]] |date=March 26, 2014 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103083142/https://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/joe-biden-lgbt-workplace-discrimination-executive-order-human-rights-campaign-105018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/joe-biden-to-lgbt-gala-hold-president-trump-accountable/|title=Joe Biden to LGBT gala: 'Hold President Trump accountable'|date=June 21, 2017|first=Steve|last=Peoples|newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]]|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620090144/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/joe-biden-to-lgbt-gala-hold-president-trump-accountablehttps://|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, he gave a eulogy for Senator [[John McCain]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Friedman|first=Megan|date=August 30, 2018|title=Joe Biden Just Gave an Incredibly Powerful Speech at John McCain's Memorial|magazine=[[Town & Country (magazine)|Town & Country]]|url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/politics/a22877209/joe-biden-eulogy-john-mccain-memorial-full-transcript/|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=June 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610041411/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/politics/a22877209/joe-biden-eulogy-john-mccain-memorial-full-transcript/|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden continued to support [[cancer research]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=O'Brien |first=Sara Ashley |date=March 12, 2017 |title=Joe Biden: The fight against cancer is bipartisan |agency=[[CNN Business]] |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/03/12/technology/sxsw-joe-biden-cancer/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526151625/https://money.cnn.com/2017/03/12/technology/sxsw-joe-biden-cancer/index.html |archive-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref>

==2020 presidential campaign== {{Main|Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign}}

{{See also|List of Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign endorsements}} === Speculation and announcement === [[File:Biden9 (32932624647).jpg|thumb|Biden at his presidential kickoff rally in [[Philadelphia]], May 2019|alt=Photo of Biden raising his fist while standing behind a lectern]]

Between 2016 and 2019, media outlets often mentioned Biden as a likely candidate for [[2020 United States presidential election|president in 2020]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-updates-201612-htmlstory.html#joe-biden-wouldnt-count-out-a-2020-run-for-president-but-he-was-asked-in-an-emotional-moment|title=Joe Biden wouldn't count out a 2020 run for president. But he was asked in an emotional moment|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=August 27, 2021|date=December 6, 2016|last=A. Memoli|first=Michael|archive-date=June 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620090152/https://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-updates-201612-htmlstory.html#joe-biden-wouldnt-count-out-a-2020-run-for-president-but-he-was-asked-in-an-emotional-moment|url-status=live}}</ref> When asked if he would run, he gave varied and ambivalent answers, saying "never say never".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/07/politics/joe-biden-colbert-interview-2020-buzz/|title=Biden stokes 2020 buzz on Colbert: 'Never say never' |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=December 8, 2016|date=December 7, 2016|last=Wright|first=David|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620090156/https://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/07/politics/joe-biden-colbert-interview-2020-buzzhttps://|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[political action committee]] known as [[Time for Biden]] was formed in January 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.wvik.org/post/new-quad-city-super-pac-time-biden |title=New Quad City Super PAC: 'Time for Biden' |last=Charnetzki |first=Tori |publisher=[[WVIK]] |date=January 10, 2018 |access-date=January 24, 2018 |archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620090209/https://www.wvik.org/post/new-quad-city-super-pac-time-biden/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden launched his campaign on April 25, 2019,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Scherer |first1=Michael |last2=Wagner |first2=John |date=April 25, 2019 |title=Former vice president Joe Biden jumps into White House race |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/former-vice-president-joe-biden-jumps-into-white-house-race/2019/04/25/093ff596-0aef-11e9-88e3-989a3e456820_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526072655/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/former-vice-president-joe-biden-jumps-into-white-house-race/2019/04/25/093ff596-0aef-11e9-88e3-989a3e456820_story.html |archive-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref> saying he was worried by the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]] and felt a "sense of duty".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Dovere |first=Edward-Isaac |date=February 4, 2019 |title=Biden's Anguished Search for a Path to Victory |work=[[The Atlantic]] |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/02/joe-biden-close-running-president-despite-doubts/581956/|url-status=live|access-date=February 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620090215/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/02/joe-biden-close-running-president-despite-doubts/581956https:// |archive-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref>

=== Campaign === {{Further|2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries|2020 United States presidential debates}}

Public polling showed Biden as one of the best-performing Democratic candidates head-to-head against Trump.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first=Ashley Pratte |last=Oates |title=Opinion |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/joe-biden-democrats-best-chance-beat-trump-2020-no-other-ncna961836 |access-date=May 14, 2023 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=January 24, 2019 |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514003526/https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/joe-biden-democrats-best-chance-beat-trump-2020-no-other-ncna961836 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=April 17, 2019 |title=Every 2020 Democrat Wants To Be The Electable Candidate |first1=Kevin |last1=Robillard |first2=Amanda |last2=Terkel |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/electability-2020_n_5cb73acbe4b0c53a1705763f |access-date=May 14, 2023 |website=HuffPost |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514003526/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/electability-2020_n_5cb73acbe4b0c53a1705763f |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Pramuk |first=Jacob |title=Here's how Biden, Sanders, Warren and other top Democrats are faring against Trump in national polls |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/05/how-biden-warren-and-sanders-fare-vs-trump-in-2020-election-polls.html |access-date=May 14, 2023 |publisher=[[CNBC]] |date=November 5, 2019 |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514003522/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/05/how-biden-warren-and-sanders-fare-vs-trump-in-2020-election-polls.html |url-status=live}}</ref> With Democrats keenly focused on "electability" for defeating Trump,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Barabak |first=Mark Z. |date=January 31, 2020 |title=Desperate to beat Trump, Democrats differ over who is best |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-01-31/democrats-electability-2020-iowa-caucus |access-date=May 14, 2023 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514003532/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-01-31/democrats-electability-2020-iowa-caucus |url-status=live}}</ref> this boosted his popularity among Democratic voters.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Scocca |first=Tom |date=April 12, 2020 |title=Biden's Electability Only Works if There Is an Election |magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/04/biden-won-without-votes.html |access-date=May 14, 2023 |issn=1091-2339 |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514003526/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/04/biden-won-without-votes.html |url-status=live}}</ref> It also made Biden a frequent target of Trump.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Allen |first=Mike |date=July 25, 2018 |title=Scoop: Trump fears Biden 2020, losing Pennsylvania |url=https://www.axios.com/2018/07/25/scoop-trump-fears-biden-losing-pennsylvania-1532514558 |access-date=May 13, 2023 |website=Axios |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514003522/https://www.axios.com/2018/07/25/scoop-trump-fears-biden-losing-pennsylvania-1532514558 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Adam |last=Edelman |title=Trump says Biden would go down "fast" and "crying" in a fight |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-attacks-crazy-biden-tweet-physically-mentally-weak-n858981 |access-date=May 14, 2023 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=March 22, 2018 |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514003522/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-attacks-crazy-biden-tweet-physically-mentally-weak-n858981 |url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2019, it was reported that Trump had pressured Ukrainian president [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] to investigate [[Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory|alleged wrongdoing]] by Biden and his son [[Hunter Biden]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/world/europe/ukraine-trump-zelensky.html |title=Ukraine Pressured on U.S. Political Investigations |last=Kramer |first=Andrew E. |date=September 20, 2019 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=September 20, 2019 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920171010/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/world/europe/ukraine-trump-zelensky.html |url-status=live}}</ref> No evidence was produced of any wrongdoing by the Bidens.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Isachenkov |first=Vladimir |title=Ukraine's prosecutor says there is no probe into Biden |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ukraines-prosecutor-says-there-is-no-probe-into-biden |access-date=October 1, 2019 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=September 27, 2019 |quote=Though the timing raised concerns among anti-corruption advocates, there has been no evidence of wrongdoing by either the former vice president or his son. |archive-date=October 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001005328/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ukraines-prosecutor-says-there-is-no-probe-into-biden |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=White House 'tried to cover up details of Trump-Ukraine call' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49842895 |access-date=October 1, 2019 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=September 26, 2019 |quote=There is no evidence of any wrongdoing by the Bidens. |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930105132/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49842895 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Matthew |last1=Brown |date=January 15, 2021|accessdate=July 7, 2021|title=Fact check: False conspiracy theories allege connection between Biden victory and Ukraine |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/01/15/fact-check-conspiracy-theories-falsely-link-bidens-victory-ukraine/4149335001/|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|archive-date=June 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213107/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/01/15/fact-check-conspiracy-theories-falsely-link-bidens-victory-ukraine/4149335001/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Trump was perceived by many as attempting to hurt Biden's chances of winning the presidency,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mackinnon |first=Amy |date=September 20, 2019 |title=Is Trump Trying to Get Ukraine to Take Out Biden for Him? |magazine=[[Foreign Policy]] |publisher=[[Graham Holdings]] |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/09/20/is-trump-trying-to-get-ukraine-to-take-out-biden-for-him/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920210034/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/09/20/is-trump-trying-to-get-ukraine-to-take-out-biden-for-him/ |archive-date=September 20, 2019}}</ref> resulting in [[Trump–Ukraine scandal|a political scandal]]<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-defends-conversation-with-ukraine-leader-11568993176 |date=September 21, 2019 |title=Trump Repeatedly Pressed Ukraine President to Investigate Biden's Son |first1=Alan |last1=Cullison |first2=Rebecca |last2=Ballhaus |first3=Dustin |last3=Volz |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-date=September 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923092317/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-defends-conversation-with-ukraine-leader-11568993176 |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[First impeachment of Donald Trump|Trump's impeachment]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=February 10, 2021 |title=This is why Donald Trump was impeached the first time – previous charges against former US president explained |first=Matt |last=Brooks |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/why-was-donald-trump-impeached-the-first-time-previous-charges-against-the-former-us-president-explained-3100617 |access-date=May 14, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Scotsman]] |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514003522/https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/why-was-donald-trump-impeached-the-first-time-previous-charges-against-the-former-us-president-explained-3100617 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2019 and April 2019, eight women accused Biden of inappropriate physical contact, such as embracing, touching or kissing.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=All the Women Who Have Spoken Out Against Joe Biden|url=https://www.thecut.com/2020/04/joe-biden-accuser-accusations-allegations.html|work=[[The Cut (website)|The Cut]]|access-date=May 19, 2021|date=April 12, 2020|first1=Amanda|last1=Arnold|first2=Claire|last2=Lampen}}</ref> Biden had previously called himself a "tactile politician" and admitted this behavior had caused trouble for him.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-joe-biden-kiss-lucy-flores-20190329-story.html |title=Nevada Democrat accuses Joe Biden of touching and kissing her without consent at 2014 event |access-date=December 30, 2019 |last=Brice-Saddler |first=Michael |date=March 29, 2019 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |archive-date=June 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620090227/https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-joe-biden-kiss-lucy-flores-20190329-story.html/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Journalist [[Mark Bowden]] described Biden's lifelong habit of talking close, writing that he "doesn't just meet you, he engulfs you... scooting closer" and leaning forward to talk.<ref name="The Atlantic">{{Cite magazine |last=Bowden |first=Mark | author-link=Mark Bowden| date=August 30, 2010 |title=The Salesman |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/10/the-salesman/308226/ |access-date=March 27, 2023 |magazine=[[The Atlantic]] |archive-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123045827/https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/10/the-salesman/308226/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2019, Biden pledged to be more "respectful of people's personal space".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Ember|first1=Sydney|last2=Martin|first2=Jonathan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/03/us/politics/joe-biden-women-video.html|title=Joe Biden, in video, says he will be 'more mindful' of personal space|date=April 3, 2019|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=March 28, 2020|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620090251/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/03/us/politics/joe-biden-women-video.html/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Throughout 2019, Biden stayed generally ahead of other Democrats in national polls.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/nbc-wsj-poll-former-vice-president-joe-biden-frontrunner-in/article_24e6b0ee-2256-11ea-9a8d-e79be1ad7f68.html |title=NBC/WSJ poll: Former Vice-President Joe Biden frontrunner in race for Democratic nomination |date=December 19, 2019 |access-date=February 10, 2020 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213155327/https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/nbc-wsj-poll-former-vice-president-joe-biden-frontrunner-in/article_24e6b0ee-2256-11ea-9a8d-e79be1ad7f68.html |publisher=[[NBC News]] |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/biden-is-the-front-runner-but-there-is-no-clear-favorite/|title=Biden Is The Front-Runner, But There's No Clear Favorite |last=Silver |first=Nate |author-link=Nate Silver |date=January 10, 2020 |work=[[FiveThirtyEight]] |access-date=February 10, 2020 |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214220639/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/biden-is-the-front-runner-but-there-is-no-clear-favorite/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this, he finished fourth in the [[2020 Iowa caucuses|Iowa caucuses]] and fifth in the [[New Hampshire presidential primary|New Hampshire primary]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=2020 Iowa Democratic Caucuses Live Results |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/election-results/iowa/ |date=February 3, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=March 22, 2020 |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207234356/https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/election-results/iowa/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=February 11, 2020 |title=New Hampshire results |publisher=[[NBC News]] |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-primary-elections/new-hampshire-results |access-date=February 12, 2020 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212082135/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-primary-elections/new-hampshire-results |url-status=live}}</ref> He performed better in the [[Nevada presidential caucuses|Nevada caucuses]], reaching the 15% required for delegates, but still finished 21.6 percentage points behind [[Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign|Bernie Sanders]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Nevada Election Results 2020|url=https://www.politico.com/2020-election/results/nevada/|access-date=November 14, 2020|newspaper=[[Politico]]|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115105350/https://www.politico.com/2020-election/results/nevada/|url-status=live}}</ref> Making strong appeals to Black voters on the campaign trail and in the South Carolina debate, Biden won the [[2020 South Carolina Democratic primary|South Carolina primary]] by more than 28 points.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://apnews.com/article/b9872b58b495fd17044f359338ab3f2a|title=Biden wins South Carolina, aims for Super Tuesday momentum |date=February 29, 2020 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=March 1, 2020 |first1=Steve |last1=Peoples |first2=Meg |last2=Kinnard |first3=Bill |last3=Barrow |archive-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229231101/https://apnews.com/b9872b58b495fd17044f359338ab3f2a |url-status=live}}</ref> After the withdrawals and subsequent endorsements of candidates [[Pete Buttigieg]] and [[Amy Klobuchar]], he made large gains in the [[Super Tuesday]] primaries. Biden won [[Results of the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries|18 of the next 26 contests]], putting him in the lead.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Montanaro |first1=Domenico |date=March 4, 2020 |access-date=November 14, 2020 |title=5 Takeaways From Super Tuesday And Joe Biden's Big Night |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/03/04/811868704/5-takeaways-from-super-tuesday-and-joe-bidens-big-night |publisher=[[NPR]] |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113205101/https://www.npr.org/2020/03/04/811868704/5-takeaways-from-super-tuesday-and-joe-bidens-big-night |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Elizabeth Warren]] and [[Michael Bloomberg]] soon dropped out, and Biden expanded his lead with victories over Sanders in four states on March 10.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/11/politics/2020-primary-election-takeaways/index.html |title=5 takeaways as Biden takes command of Democratic race on Super Tuesday II |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=March 11, 2020 |date=March 11, 2020 |first1=Eric |last1=Bradner |first2=Gregory |last2=Krieg |first3=Dan |last3=Merica |archive-date=March 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311093752/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/11/politics/2020-primary-election-takeaways/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2019, Biden said, "I view myself as a bridge, not as anything else. There's an entire generation of leaders you saw stand behind me. They are the future of this country."<ref>{{cite news| title=Joe Biden says he's a 'bridge' to a new generation of leaders while campaigning with Harris, Booker, Whitmer| last1=Bradner| first1=Eric| last2=Mucha| first2=Sarah| publisher=[[CNN]]| date=March 9, 2020| url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/09/politics/joe-biden-bridge-new-generation-of-leaders}}</ref>

In late March 2020, Tara Reade, one of the eight women who in 2019 had accused Biden of inappropriate physical contact, [[Joe Biden sexual assault allegation|accused]] Biden of having sexually assaulted her in 1993.<ref name="nytimesallegations">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Lerer |first1=Lisa |last2=Ember |first2=Sydney |title=Examining Tara Reade's Sexual Assault Allegation Against Joe Biden |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/12/us/politics/joe-biden-tara-reade-sexual-assault-complaint.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412090835/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/12/us/politics/joe-biden-tara-reade-sexual-assault-complaint.html |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=April 14, 2020 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 12, 2020}}</ref> There were inconsistencies between Reade's 2019 and 2020 allegations.<ref name="nytimesallegations" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=McGann |first1=Laura |title=The Agonizing Story of Tara Reade |url=https://www.vox.com/2020/5/7/21248713/tara-reade-joe-biden-sexual-assault-accusation |access-date=May 19, 2021 |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |date=May 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507224441/https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2020/5/7/21248713/tara-reade-joe-biden-sexual-assault-accusation |archive-date=May 7, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden and his campaign denied the sexual assault allegation.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sexual-assault-allegation-by-former-biden-senate-aide-emerges-in-campaign-draws-denial/2020/04/12/bc070d66-7067-11ea-b148-e4ce3fbd85b5_story.html|title=Sexual assault allegation by former Biden Senate aide emerges in campaign, draws denial |date=April 12, 2020|access-date=April 14, 2020|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |first1=Beth |last1=Reinhard |first2=Elise |last2=Viebeck |first3=Matt |last3=Viser |first4=Alice |last4=Crites}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Phillips |first=Amber |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/30/who-is-tara-reade-biden-accuser/ |title=What we know about Tara Reade's sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 1, 2020 |access-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-date=June 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618153105/https://www.washingtonpost.comhttps://politics/2020/04/30/who-is-tara-reade-biden-accuser/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

When Sanders suspended his campaign on April 8, 2020, Biden became the Democratic Party's [[presumptive nominee]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Ember|first=Sydney|date=April 8, 2020|title=Bernie Sanders Drops Out of 2020 Democratic Race for President |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/us/politics/bernie-sanders-drops-out.html |access-date=April 8, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408160232/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/us/politics/bernie-sanders-drops-out.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On April 13, Sanders endorsed Biden.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/13/us/politics/bernie-sanders-joe-biden-endorsement.html|title=Bernie Sanders Endorses Joe Biden for President|last1=Ember|first1=Sydney|last2=Glueck|first2=Katie|date=April 13, 2020|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=April 13, 2020|archive-date=April 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413182004/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/13/us/politics/bernie-sanders-joe-biden-endorsement.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Barack Obama]] endorsed Biden the next day.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Merica |first1=Dan |last2=Zeleny |first2=Jeff |author-link2=Jeff Zeleny |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/14/politics/obama-endorses-biden/index.html |title=Obama endorses Biden for president in video message |date=April 14, 2020 |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414183659/https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/14/politics/obama-endorses-biden/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> There was a great deal of interest in who his running mate would be, in part because of "the expectation, downplayed but not exactly denied by the Biden campaign, that the 77-year-old would be a one-term president".<ref name=NYT/> Biden said, "I view myself as a transition candidate."<ref name=NYT>{{cite news| last1=Martin| first1=Jonathan| author-link1=Jonathan Martin (journalist)| author-link2=Alexander Burns (journalist)| last2=Burns| first2=Alexander| title=Why Biden's Choice of Running Mate Has Momentous Implications| date=May 3, 2020| work=[[The New York Times]]| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/03/us/politics/joe-biden-vice-president-pick.html}}</ref> On August 11, Biden announced [[Kamala Harris]] as his running mate, making her the first African American and first [[South Asian American]] vice-presidential nominee on a major-party ticket.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53739323 |title=Biden VP pick: Kamala Harris chosen as running mate |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=August 12, 2020 |access-date=August 26, 2021 |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010223842/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53739323 |url-status=live}}</ref> On August 18, at the [[2020 Democratic National Convention]], Biden officially became the Democratic Party nominee for president in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 election]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=DNC Nominates Joe Biden to Lead Nation Through Pandemic |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-to-nominate-joe-biden-bill-clinton-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-to-speak-11597777946 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=August 18, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |first1=Joshua |last1=Jamerson |first2=Chad |last2=Day |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818221830/https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-to-nominate-joe-biden-bill-clinton-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-to-speak-11597777946 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Joe Biden officially becomes the Democratic Party's nominee on convention's second night |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/08/18/democratic-national-convention-live-updates/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |first1=Toluse |last1=Olorunnipa |first2=Chelsea |last2=Janes |first3=Felicia |last3=Sonmez |first4=Colby |last4=Itkowitz |first5=John |last5=Wagner |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117190515/https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/08/18/democratic-national-convention-live-updates/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Presidential election and transition === {{Main|2020 United States presidential election|Presidential transition of Joe Biden}}

[[File:ElectoralCollege2020.svg|thumb|upright=1.3|alt=Results for the 2020 United States presidential election|2020 electoral vote results. Biden won 306–232.]] Biden was [[2020 United States presidential election|elected]] the 46th president in November 2020, defeating the incumbent, [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Santucci |first=Jeanine |date=December 9, 2020 |title=Timeline: Trump insists he won the election as Biden prepares to take the White House |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/09/bidens-transition-continues-trump-refuses-concede-timeline/3801714001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204403/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/09/bidens-transition-continues-trump-refuses-concede-timeline/3801714001/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |newspaper=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> Trump and numerous other Republicans repeatedly made [[False or misleading statements by Donald Trump|false claims]] that widespread [[electoral fraud]] had occurred and that only he had legitimately won the election.{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name=JackSmithReportVol1 />{{Rp|pages=3–4}}<ref name=JanuarySixFinalReport />{{Rp|pages=195–233}}|name=TrumpMakesClaimsOfElectionFraud}} Biden's transition was delayed by several weeks as the White House ordered federal agencies not to cooperate.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Rein |first1=Lisa |last2=Viser |first2=Matt |last3=Miller |first3=Greg |last4=Dawsey |first4=Josh |date=November 9, 2020 |title=White House, escalating tensions, orders agencies to rebuff Biden transition team |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-transition-agencies-biden/2020/11/09/ad9f2ba2-22b7-11eb-952e-0c475972cfc0_story.html |access-date=January 4, 2023 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114063503/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-transition-agencies-biden/2020/11/09/ad9f2ba2-22b7-11eb-952e-0c475972cfc0_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On November 23, [[General Services Administration|General Services Administrator]] [[Emily W. Murphy]] formally recognized Biden as the apparent winner of the 2020 election and authorized the start of a transition process to the Biden administration.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|publisher=[[CNN]]|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html|title=First on CNN: GSA tells Biden that transition can formally begin|first1=Kristen|last1=Holmes|first2=Jeremy|last2=Herb|date=November 23, 2020|access-date=November 23, 2020|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123232709/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although most resulting lawsuits were either dismissed or ruled against by numerous courts,{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name=JackSmithReportVol1 />{{Rp|pages=5–6}}<ref name=JanuarySixFinalReport />{{Rp|pages=210–213}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cummings |first1=William |last2=Garrison |first2=Joey |last3=Sergent |first3=Jim |date=January 6, 2021 |title=By the numbers: President Donald Trump's failed efforts to overturn the election |url=https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/elections/2021/01/06/trumps-failed-efforts-overturn-election-numbers/4130307001/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224053823/https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/elections/2021/01/06/trumps-failed-efforts-overturn-election-numbers/4130307001/ |archive-date=February 24, 2021|url-status=dead |access-date=March 9, 2025 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Shamsian |first1=Jacob |last2=Sheth |first2=Sonam |date=February 22, 2021 |title=Trump and Republican officials have won zero out of at least 42 lawsuits they've filed since Election Day |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-campaign-lawsuits-election-results-2020-11 |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Barnes |first=Daniel |date=November 2, 2024 |title=How Trump's challenges to the 2020 election unfolded in the courtroom |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trumps-challenges-2020-election-unfolded-courtroom-rcna175490 |access-date=March 10, 2025 |publisher=[[NBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kovacs-Goodman |first=Jacob |date=March 10, 2021 |title=Post-Election Litigation Analysis and Summaries |url=https://web.mit.edu/healthyelections/www/sites/default/files/2021-06/Post-Election_Litigation_Analysis.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017143427/https://web.mit.edu/healthyelections/www/sites/default/files/2021-06/Post-Election_Litigation_Analysis.pdf |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |access-date=March 10, 2025 |publisher=Stanford-MIT Healthy Elections Project}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=4, 10–14}}<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Wheeler |first=Russell |date=November 30, 2021 |title=Trump's judicial campaign to upend the 2020 election: A failure, but not a wipe-out |url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/trumps-judicial-campaign-to-upend-the-2020-election-a-failure-but-not-a-wipe-out/ |access-date=March 10, 2025 |publisher=[[Brookings Institution]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Durkee |first=Alison |date=March 8, 2021 |title=Supreme Court Kills Last Trump Election Lawsuit |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/03/08/supreme-court-kills-last-trump-election-lawsuit/ |access-date=March 10, 2025 |magazine=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>|name=CourtsDismissClaimsOfElectionFraud}} Trump nonetheless [[Criminal conspiracy|conspired]]<ref name="JackSmithReportVol1">{{cite web|last=Smith |first=Jack |author-link=Jack Smith (lawyer) |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Final Report of the Special Counsel Under 28 C.F.R. § 600.8 |url=https://www.justice.gov/storage/Report-of-Special-Counsel-Smith-Volume-1-January-2025.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114061624/https://www.justice.gov/storage/Report-of-Special-Counsel-Smith-Volume-1-January-2025.pdf |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=February 20, 2025 |publisher=[[United States Department of Justice]]}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=33–53}} with his [[Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign|campaign]] team to [[Trump fake electors plot|submit documents in several states]] (all of which Biden had won) that [[Making false statements|falsely claimed]] to be legitimate electoral votes for President Trump and Vice President [[Mike Pence]].{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name=JackSmithReportVol1 />{{Rp|pages=11–16}}<ref name=JanuarySixFinalReport>{{cite web|date=December 22, 2022 |title=Final Report of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-J6-REPORT/pdf/GPO-J6-REPORT.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223203001/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-J6-REPORT/pdf/GPO-J6-REPORT.pdf |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |access-date=March 3, 2025 |publisher=[[GovInfo]]}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=341–359}}<ref name="Breuninger_6/22/2022">{{cite news|last=Breuninger |first=Kevin |date=June 22, 2022 |title=Trump had a direct role in plan to install fake electors. Key takeaways from the fourth Jan. 6 hearing |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/22/jan-6-probe-takeaways-trump-had-a-direct-role-in-plan-to-install-fake-electors.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622151510/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/22/jan-6-probe-takeaways-trump-had-a-direct-role-in-plan-to-install-fake-electors.html |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |access-date=July 29, 2022 |agency=[[CNBC]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Daniel |last=Villarreal |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Michigan Republicans Tried to Submit Fake Electoral Votes to Capitol |url=https://www.newsweek.com/michigan-republicans-tried-submit-fake-electoral-votes-capitol-1555028 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215235518/https://www.newsweek.com/michigan-republicans-tried-submit-fake-electoral-votes-capitol-1555028 |archive-date=December 15, 2020 |access-date=January 26, 2025 |magazine=[[Newsweek]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Costa |first1=Robert |author-link1=Robert Costa (journalist) |last2=Watson |first2=Kathryn |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Newly unveiled memo cited in Trump indictment detailed false electors scheme |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fraudulent-electors-memo-kenneth-chesebro-trump-indictment/ |access-date=March 10, 2025 |publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref>|name=TrumpFakeElectors}} After the submission of these documents, the Trump campaign intended that the [[Presiding Officer of the United States Senate|presiding officer of the United States Senate]], either [[President of the Senate of the United States|President of the Senate]] Pence or [[President pro tempore of the United States Senate|President pro tempore]] [[Chuck Grassley]], would claim the unilateral power to reject [[United States Electoral College#Electors|electors]] during the [[2021 United States Electoral College vote count|January 6, 2021, vote counting session]]; the presiding officer would reject all electors from the several states for which the Trump campaign had submitted false documents, leaving 232 votes for Trump and 222 votes for Biden, thereby [[Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election|overturning the election results]] in Trump's favor.{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name=JackSmithReportVol1 />{{Rp|pages=20–22}}<ref name=JanuarySixFinalReport />{{Rp|pages=343–346, 441–461}}<ref name="NYT-20230808">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |last2=Savage |first2=Charlie |last3=Broadwater |first3=Luke |date=August 8, 2023 |title=Previously Secret Memo Laid Out Strategy for Trump to Overturn Biden's Win - The House Jan. 6 committee's investigation did not uncover the memo, whose existence first came to light in last week's indictment. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/08/us/politics/trump-indictment-fake-electors-memo.html |accessdate=August 10, 2023 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Chesebro |first=Kenneth |author-link=Kenneth Chesebro |date=December 13, 2020 |title=Brief notes on 'President of the Senate' strategy |url=https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000189-db0d-d1b8-adff-fb4f5ae70000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810095224/https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000189-db0d-d1b8-adff-fb4f5ae70000 |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |access-date=September 29, 2023 |newspaper=Politico}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Eastman |first=John |author-link=John Eastman |date=January 3, 2021 |title=John Eastman's second memo on 'January 6 scenario' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/john-eastman-s-second-memo-on-january-6-scenario/b3fd2b0a-f931-4e0c-8bac-c82f13c2dd6f/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109134450/https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/john-eastman-s-second-memo-on-january-6-scenario/b3fd2b0a-f931-4e0c-8bac-c82f13c2dd6f/ |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |access-date=July 3, 2024 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Legare |first=Robert |date=June 3, 2022 |title=Email to Giuliani reveals plan to keep Trump in office on Jan. 6, court records show |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-news-giuliani-kenneth-chesebro-email-plan-january-6/ |access-date=March 10, 2025 |publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Steck |first1=Em |last2=Kaczynski |first2=Andrew |author-link2=Andrew Kaczynski |last3=Cohen |first3=Marshall |last4=Gordon |first4=Allison |date=February 26, 2024 |title=Exclusive: Key figure in fake electors plot concealed damning posts on secret Twitter account from investigators |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/26/politics/kenneth-chesebro-secret-twitter-account-kfile/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226211441/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/26/politics/kenneth-chesebro-secret-twitter-account-kfile/index.html |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=March 10, 2025 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=February 1, 2022 |title=Vice president doesn't have power to 'change the outcome' of elections |url=https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-275776015398 |access-date=March 10, 2025 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>|name=UnilateralRejectionOfElectors}} This plan failed after Pence refused to cooperate with it.{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name=JackSmithReportVol1 />{{Rp|pages=20–24}}<ref name=JanuarySixFinalReport />{{Rp|pages=461–462}}<ref name="Showdown">{{cite news|last1=Swan |first1=Betsy Woodruff |last2=Cheney |first2=Kyle |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Inside Pence-world's preparation for a Jan. 6 legal showdown |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/30/pence-jan-6-legal-showdown-00021864 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331010734/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/30/pence-jan-6-legal-showdown-00021864 |archive-date=March 31, 2022 |access-date=June 10, 2022 |newspaper=[[Politico]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Glantz |first1=Aaron |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Read Pence's full letter saying he can't claim 'unilateral authority' to reject electoral votes |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-pences-full-letter-saying-he-cant-claim-unilateral-authority-to-reject-electoral-votes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106190245/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-pences-full-letter-saying-he-cant-claim-unilateral-authority-to-reject-electoral-votes |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |work=[[PBS NewsHour]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>|name=PenceRefusesToRejectElectors}} Trump nevertheless urged his supporters on January 6 to march to the [[United States Capitol|Capitol]] while the joint session of Congress was assembled there to count electoral votes and formalize Biden's victory, whereupon [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|hundreds of people stormed]] the building and interrupted the count. During the attack, Biden addressed the nation, calling the events "an unprecedented assault unlike anything we've seen in modern times".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://people.com/politics/biden-speaks-capitol-riots/|title=Joe Biden Calls on Donald Trump to 'Step Up' amid Chaos Led by 'Extremists' at Capitol |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |first=Lindsay |last=Kimble |date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126224534/https://people.com/politics/biden-speaks-capitol-riots/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Will |last1=Weissert |first2=Darlene |last2=Superville |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-us-capitol-c68378d16055c53e3942da66e968ea6b |title=Biden urges restoring decency after 'assault' on democracy |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129142525/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-us-capitol-c68378d16055c53e3942da66e968ea6b |url-status=live}}</ref> After the Capitol was cleared, Congress officially counted the election results, with Pence, in his role as president of the Senate, announcing Biden and Harris as the winners.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/06/congress-count-electoral-college-votes-biden-win/6556555002/ |last1=King |first1=Ledyard |last2=Groppe |first2=Maureen |last3=Wu |first3=Nicholas |last4=Jansen |first4=Bart |last5=Subramanian |first5=Courtney |last6=Garrison |first6=Joey |title=Pence confirms Biden as winner, officially ending electoral count after day of violence at Capitol |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |access-date=January 7, 2021 |date=January 6, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107100543/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/06/congress-count-electoral-college-votes-biden-win/6556555002/}}</ref> On January 7, Trump acknowledged the incoming administration without mentioning Biden's name.<ref>* {{cite news|date=January 21, 2021 |title=Biden sets to work on reversing Trump policies with executive orders |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55738746 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210190233/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55738746 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |access-date=January 21, 2021 |publisher=[[BBC News]]}} * {{cite news|last1=Liptak |first1=Kevin |last2=Stracqualursi |first2=Veronica |last3=Malloy |first3=Allie |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Trump publicly acknowledges he won't serve a second term day after inciting mob |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/trump-biden-us-capitol-electoral-college-insurrection/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107095401/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/trump-biden-us-capitol-electoral-college-insurrection/index.html |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=January 7, 2021 |publisher=[[CNN]]}} * {{cite news|last1=Miller |first1=Zeke |last2=Colvin |first2=Jill |date=January 8, 2021 |title=After excusing violence, Trump acknowledges Biden transition |url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-orderly-transition-f03215c31a400f815a8f62960a430063 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107202934/https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-orderly-transition-f03215c31a400f815a8f62960a430063 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=January 9, 2021 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

== Presidency (2021–2025) == {{Main|Presidency of Joe Biden}}

=== Inauguration === {{Main|Inauguration of Joe Biden}}

[[File:Biden oath of office.jpg|thumb|Biden takes the [[Oath of office of the President of the United States|oath of office]] administered by [[Chief Justice of the United States|Chief Justice]] [[John Roberts]] at [[United States Capitol|the Capitol]], on January 20, 2021.|alt=Photo of Biden raising his right hand, with his left hand placed on a thick Bible]]

Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States on January 20, 2021.<ref name="hunnicutt">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-inauguration/assuming-u-s-presidency-biden-tells-divided-nation-democracy-has-prevailed-idUSKBN29P0HG|title=Taking helm of divided nation, U.S. President Biden calls for end to 'uncivil war'|date=January 20, 2021|last1=Hunnicutt|first1=Trevor|last2=Zengerle|first2=Patricia|last3=Renshaw|first3=Jarrett|publisher=[[Reuters]]|access-date=January 20, 2021|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120171341/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-inauguration/assuming-u-s-presidency-biden-tells-divided-nation-democracy-has-prevailed-idUSKBN29P0HG|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Baker |first=Peter |date=January 20, 2021 |title=Biden Inaugurated as the 46th President Amid a Cascade of Crises |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/politics/biden-president.html |access-date=May 11, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120165158/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/politics/biden-president.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At 78, he was then the oldest person to assume the office up to that point.{{efn|Donald Trump surpassed this record in 2025. While he was also 78 years old at the time, he was five months and 6 days older than Biden had been.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Diaz |first=Johnny |date=January 20, 2025 |title=Trump Is the Oldest President to Take the Oath, Again |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/us/politics/donald-trump-age-oldest-presidents.html |access-date=November 8, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>}}<ref name="hunnicutt" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Zak |first=Dan |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Joe Biden, 78, will lead an American gerontocracy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/joe-biden-age-oldest-president/2021/01/12/91353560-49fe-11eb-839a-cf4ba7b7c48c_story.html |access-date=May 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202203055/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/joe-biden-age-oldest-president/2021/01/12/91353560-49fe-11eb-839a-cf4ba7b7c48c_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Biden was the second [[Catholic]] U.S. president, after [[John F. Kennedy]],<ref>{{cite news|date=January 19, 2021|title=Biden to become the second Catholic president in U.S. history, after JFK|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/biden-to-become-the-second-catholic-president-in-u-s-history-after-jfk-99673157918|access-date=January 20, 2021|publisher=[[NBC News]]|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119212606/https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/biden-to-become-the-second-catholic-president-in-u-s-history-after-jfk-99673157918|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sandstrom |first=Aleksandra |date=January 20, 2021 |title=Biden is only the second Catholic president, but nearly all have been Christians |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/01/20/biden-only-second-catholic-president-but-nearly-all-have-been-christians-2/ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |publisher=Pew Research Center}}</ref> and the first president elected from the state of [[Delaware]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cormier|first1=Ryan|last2=Talorico|first2=Patricia|date=November 7, 2020|title=Delaware history is made: The First State gets its first president in Joe Biden|url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/07/one-us-delaware-pride-soars-biden-makes-history/6121243002/|access-date=January 20, 2021|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108021346/https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/07/one-us-delaware-pride-soars-biden-makes-history/6121243002/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also the first person since [[George H. W. Bush]] to have been both vice president and president,<ref>{{cite web|author=Talia Lakritz|title=15 vice presidents who became president themselves |date=January 19, 2021 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/15-vice-presidents-became-president-184837549.html |access-date=January 12, 2026 |publisher=Insider |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260113003125/https://www.yahoo.com/news/15-vice-presidents-became-president-184837549.html|archive-date=January 13, 2026}}</ref> and the only president to date from the [[Silent Generation]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/b66a24e4-5eea-11ea-b0ab-339c2307bcd4|date=March 6, 2020|access-date=August 26, 2021|title=At long last, the silent generation's hour has come|newspaper=[[Financial Times]]|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126034429/https://www.ft.com/content/b66a24e4-5eea-11ea-b0ab-339c2307bcd4|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=January 23, 2021 |title=At 78 and the oldest president, Biden sees a world changed |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-inauguration-joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-ronald-reagan-pennsylvania-48d1659d4469999be87fbd87d560a52c |access-date=May 11, 2024 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> Biden's inauguration was "a muted affair unlike any previous inauguration" due to COVID-19 precautions as well as massively increased security measures because of the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/why-joe-biden-swearing-in-will-be-muted-affair-unlike-previous-inaugurations-2353966|title=Masked Crowd, No Trump: Why Biden Inauguration Will Be Like No Other|date=January 18, 2021|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=June 21, 2021}}</ref>

=== First 100 days === {{main|First 100 days of the Biden presidency}}

In his first two days as president, Biden signed 17 executive orders. By his third day, orders had included rejoining the [[Paris Climate Agreement]], ending the state of national emergency at the [[Mexico–United States border|border with Mexico]], directing the government to rejoin the [[World Health Organization]], [[100 Days Masking Challenge|face mask requirements]] on [[Federal lands|federal property]], measures to combat [[hunger in the United States]],{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Ricardo |last1=Alonso-Zaldivar |first2=Ellen |last2=Knickmeyer |first3=Ben |last3=Fox |first4=Elliot |last4=Spagat |first5=Matt |last5=Lee |first6=Josh |last6=Boak |date=January 20, 2021 |title=Biden's first act: Orders on pandemic, climate, immigration |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-executive-orders-b5b409da08e42414b9a12e2c67ee2df6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120230130/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-executive-orders-b5b409da08e42414b9a12e2c67ee2df6 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |access-date=January 21, 2021 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Erikson |first=Bo |date=January 20, 2021 |title=Biden signs executive actions on COVID, climate change, immigration and more |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-executive-orders-watch-live-stream-today-2021-01-20/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120233631/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-executive-orders-watch-live-stream-today-2021-01-20/ |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |access-date=January 21, 2021 |publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=January 22, 2021 |title=Joe Biden is taking executive action at a record pace |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/01/22/joe-biden-is-taking-executive-action-at-a-record-pace |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124002448/https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/01/22/joe-biden-is-taking-executive-action-at-a-record-pace |archive-date=January 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Cassella |first=Megan |date=January 22, 2021 |title=Biden signs executive orders aimed at combating hunger, protecting workers |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/22/biden-executive-orders-hunger-workers-461270 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122112210/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/22/biden-executive-orders-hunger-workers-461270 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |access-date=January 23, 2021 |newspaper=[[Politico]]}}</ref>}} and revoking permits for the construction of the [[Keystone XL pipeline]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Allassan|first1=Fadel|first2=Ursula|last2=Perano|date=January 20, 2021|title=Biden will issue executive order to rescind Keystone XL pipeline permit|url=https://www.axios.com/biden-keystone-pipeline-9ffcedfb-42c1-4778-8183-27d858f0c966.html|website=[[Axios (website)|Axios]]|access-date=January 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Massie|first=Graeme|date=January 23, 2021|title=Canada's Trudeau 'disappointed' with Biden order to cancel Keystone pipeline|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trudeau-biden-keystone-xl-pipeline-b1791756.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220609/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trudeau-biden-keystone-xl-pipeline-b1791756.html|archive-date=June 9, 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=January 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Nickel|first1=Rod|last2=Volcovici|first2=Valerie|date=January 21, 2021|title=TC Energy cuts jobs as Keystone pipeline nixed, but markets start to move on|publisher=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-keystone-idUSKBN29Q1T8|access-date=January 24, 2021}}</ref>

On March 11, Biden signed into law the [[American Rescue Plan Act of 2021]], a $1.9 trillion [[Stimulus (economics)|economic stimulus]] and relief package that he had proposed to support the United States' recovery from the [[Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|economic]] and health effects of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=March 11, 2021 |title=H.R.1319 – American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313014919/https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319 |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |access-date=August 27, 2021 |publisher=[[United States Congress]]}}</ref> The package included direct payments to most Americans, an extension of increased unemployment benefits, funds for vaccine distribution and school reopenings, and expansions of health insurance subsidies and the [[Child tax credit (United States)|child tax credit]]. Biden's initial proposal included an increase of the [[Minimum wage in the United States|federal minimum wage]] to $15 per hour, but after the [[Parliamentarian of the United States Senate|Senate parliamentarian]] determined that including the increase in a [[budget reconciliation]] bill would violate Senate rules, Democrats removed it.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Luhby |first1=Tami |last2=Lobosco |first2=Katie |date=January 14, 2021 |title=Here's what's in Biden's $1.9 trillion economic rescue package |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/biden-economic-rescue-package-coronavirus-stimulus/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218023132/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/biden-economic-rescue-package-coronavirus-stimulus/index.html |archive-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Tankersley |first1=Jim |last2=Crowley |first2=Michael |date=January 14, 2021 |title=Here are the highlights of Biden's $1.9 trillion 'American Rescue Plan.' |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/14/us/biden-american-rescue-plan.html |url-access=limited |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/14/us/biden-american-rescue-plan.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Kaplan |first1=Thomas |date=March 7, 2021 |title=What's in the Stimulus Bill? A Guide to Where the $1.9 Trillion Is Going |website=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/07/us/politics/whats-in-the-stimulus-bill.html |url-access=limited |access-date=March 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/07/us/politics/whats-in-the-stimulus-bill.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Also in March, amid [[Mexico–United States border crisis|a rise in migrants entering the U.S. from Mexico]], Biden said migrant adults were "being sent back", in reference to the continuation of the Trump administration's Title 42 policy for quick deportations.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=March 17, 2021 |title=Biden administration faces pressure on immigration amid influx |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/17/biden-administration-faces-pressure-on-immigration-amid-surge |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319221757/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/17/biden-administration-faces-pressure-on-immigration-amid-surge |archive-date=March 19, 2021}}</ref> He earlier announced that his administration would not deport unaccompanied migrant children; the rise in arrivals of such children exceeded the capacity of facilities meant to shelter them, leading the Biden administration in March to direct the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] to help.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Miroff |first1=Nick |date=March 13, 2021|title=Biden will deploy FEMA to care for teenagers and children crossing border in record numbers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/fema-border-unaccompanied-minors/2021/03/13/738366a4-8455-11eb-bb5a-ad9a91faa4ef_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=March 23, 2021}}</ref>

On April 14, Biden announced that the United States [[2020–2021 U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan|would delay the withdrawal of all troops]] from the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|war in Afghanistan]] until September 11, signaling an end to the country's direct military involvement in Afghanistan after nearly 20 years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Sanger |first1=David E. |last2=Shear |first2=Michael D. |date=April 14, 2021 |title=Biden, Setting Afghanistan Withdrawal, Says 'It Is Time to End the Forever War' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/us/politics/biden-afghanistan-troop-withdrawal.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/us/politics/biden-afghanistan-troop-withdrawal.html|archive-date=December 28, 2021|url-access=limited |work=[[The New York Times]]|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 23, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In February 2020, the Trump administration had [[United States–Taliban deal|made a deal]] with the Taliban to completely withdraw U.S. forces by May 1, 2021.<ref name="images">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=E. Sanger |first1=David |date=August 15, 2021 |title=For Biden, Images of Defeat He Wanted to Avoid |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/15/us/politics/afghanistan-biden.html |access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref> Biden's decision met with a range of reactions, from support and relief to trepidation at the possible collapse of the Afghan government without American support.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Wadington |first=Katie |date=April 14, 2021 |title=Afghanistan withdrawal draws strong Capitol Hill reactions, making some strange alliances |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/04/14/biden-afghanistan-withdrawal-plan-draws-strong-reaction-capitol-hill/7220926002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422144959/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/04/14/biden-afghanistan-withdrawal-plan-draws-strong-reaction-capitol-hill/7220926002/ |archive-date=April 22, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> On April 22–23, Biden held an [[2021 Leaders' Climate Summit|international climate summit]] at which he announced that the U.S. would cut its [[greenhouse gas emissions]] by 50%–52% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.<ref>{{cite press release |title=New momentum reduces emissions gap, but huge gap remains – analysis |url=https://climateactiontracker.org/press/new-momentum-reduces-emissions-gap-but-huge-gap-remains-analysis/ |work=Carbon Action Tracker |publisher=climateactiontracker.org |date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=April 27, 2021 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426182048/https://climateactiontracker.org/press/new-momentum-reduces-emissions-gap-but-huge-gap-remains-analysis/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Newburger |first1=Emma |date=April 22, 2021 |title=Here's what countries pledged on climate change at Biden's global summit |publisher=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/22/biden-climate-summit-2021-what-brazil-japan-canada-others-pledged.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429043848/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/22/biden-climate-summit-2021-what-brazil-japan-canada-others-pledged.html |archive-date=April 29, 2021}}</ref> On April 28, the eve of his 100th day in office, Biden delivered his [[2021 Joe Biden speech to a joint session of Congress|first address to a joint session of Congress]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Lemire |first1=Jonathan |last2=Boak |first2=Josh |date=April 28, 2021 |title=Biden to the nation and world: 'America is rising anew' |url=https://www.startribune.com/biden-to-the-nation-and-world-america-is-rising-anew/600051057/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429023533/https://www.startribune.com/biden-to-the-nation-and-world-america-is-rising-anew/600051057/ |archive-date=April 29, 2021 |access-date=April 28, 2021 |website=[[Star Tribune]]}}</ref>

=== Domestic policy === {{See also|Social policy of the Biden administration}} [[File:President Biden Addresses a Joint Session of Congress.webm|thumb|Biden delivers a [[2021 Joe Biden speech to a joint session of Congress|speech at a joint session of Congress]] with Vice President [[Kamala Harris]] and [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|House Speaker]] [[Nancy Pelosi]] on April 28, 2021. It was the first time a woman had occupied the Senate President chair during a joint session of Congress.|alt=Photo of Biden giving a speech to Congress, with Pelosi and Harris clapping behind him]]

On June 17, Biden signed the [[Juneteenth National Independence Day Act]], which officially declared [[Juneteenth]] a [[Federal holidays in the United States|federal holiday]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=June 17, 2021 |title=Most Federal Employees Will Receive Friday Off for Juneteenth |url=https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2021/06/most-federal-employees-will-receive-friday-juneteenth/174796/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618055747/https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2021/06/most-federal-employees-will-receive-friday-juneteenth/174796/ |archive-date=June 18, 2021 |access-date=June 17, 2021 |website=[[Government Executive]]}}</ref> In July 2021, amid a slowing of [[COVID-19 vaccination in the United States|the COVID-19 vaccination rate in the country]] and the spread of the [[SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant]], Biden said that it was "gigantically important" for Americans to be vaccinated.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Jaffe |first1=Alexandra |last2=Madhani |first2=Aamer |date=July 22, 2021 |title=Biden says getting COVID-19 vaccine 'gigantically important' |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2021-07-22/biden-says-getting-vaccinated-gigantically-important |url-status=live |access-date=July 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826071814/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2021-07-22/biden-says-getting-vaccinated-gigantically-important |archive-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref>

In 2022, Biden endorsed a change to the [[Filibuster in the United States Senate|Senate filibuster]] to allow for the passing of the [[Freedom to Vote Act]] and [[John Lewis Voting Rights Act]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Subramanian |first=Courtney |date=January 11, 2022 |title='Let the majority prevail': Biden backs filibuster change to pass voting rights in Atlanta speech |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/01/11/biden-endorses-filibuster-change-voting-rights/9165060002/ |url-status=live |accessdate=April 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114062405/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/01/11/biden-endorses-filibuster-change-voting-rights/9165060002/ |archive-date=January 14, 2022}}</ref> The rules change failed when two Democratic senators joined Senate Republicans in opposing it.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Foran |first1=Clare |last2=Zaslav |first2=Ali |last3=Barrett |first3=Ted |date=January 19, 2022 |title=Senate Democrats suffer defeat on voting rights after vote to change rules fails |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/19/politics/senate-voting-legislation-filibuster/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409161903/https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/19/politics/senate-voting-legislation-filibuster/index.html |archive-date=April 9, 2022}}</ref> In April 2022, Biden signed into law the bipartisan [[Postal Service Reform Act of 2022]] to revamp the finances and operations of the [[United States Postal Service]] agency.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Fossum |first1=Sam |last2=Vasquez |first2=Maegan |date=April 6, 2022 |title=Biden signs US Postal Service reform bill into law |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/06/politics/biden-postal-service-reform-law-signing/index.html |access-date=August 17, 2022}}</ref> Biden supported the [[Bipartisan Safer Communities Act]] aimed to address gun reform issues following the [[Robb Elementary School shooting]] in [[Uvalde, Texas]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=June 23, 2022 |title=Statement of Administration Policy |agency=White House |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Bipartisan-Safer-Communities-Act-SAP-1.pdf |access-date=August 17, 2022}}</ref> he signed the bill on June 25, 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Weissert |first=Will |date=June 25, 2022 |title=Biden signs landmark gun measure, says 'lives will be saved' |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-gun-violence-bill-c21249287f976c2c164d8753205c2e6d |access-date=August 17, 2022}}</ref>

The [[Honoring our PACT Act of 2022]] was introduced in 2021 and signed into law by Biden on August 10, 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Shabad |first1=Rebecca |last2=Egan |first2=Lauren |date=August 10, 2022 |title=Biden signs bill to expand benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/10/biden-signs-bill-to-expand-benefits-for-veterans-exposed-to-toxic-burn-pits.html |access-date=August 17, 2022}}</ref> The act intended to significantly improve healthcare access and funding for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, including [[burn pits]], during military service.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Dean |first1=Jessica |last2=Zaslav |first2=Ali |date=August 3, 2022 |title=Senate passes long-sought bill to help veterans affected by burn pits |publisher=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/02/politics/senate-vote-burn-pits/index.html |access-date=August 17, 2022}}</ref>

In 2022, Biden signed the [[Respect for Marriage Act]], which repealed the [[Defense of Marriage Act]] and requires the federal government to recognize the validity of [[Same-sex marriage in the United States|same-sex]] and [[Interracial marriage in the United States|interracial]] marriages.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Shear |first=Michael D. |date=December 13, 2022 |title=Biden Signs Bill to Protect Same-Sex Marriage Rights |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/us/politics/biden-same-sex-marriage-bill.html |access-date=December 14, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In June 2024, Biden issued an executive action offering amnesty to unauthorized immigrants married to American citizens. The program included a pathway to U.S. residency and citizenship and was expected to initially affect about 500,000 people. It was later struck down due to a lack of legislation empowering the president to enact the program.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=June 19, 2024 |title=Biden immigration program offers legal status to 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens. Here's how it works. |publisher=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-immigration-program-offers-legal-status-immigrant-spouses-of-u-s-citizens/ |first=Camilo |last=Montoya-Galvez}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=November 8, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |title=Judge rejects Biden plan for undocumented spouses |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5287xy71do}}</ref>

In January 2025, Biden declared the lapsed [[Equal Rights Amendment]] ratified as the "28th Amendment" to the [[Constitution of the United States|constitution]]. The declaration has no formal effect<ref name="Stokols">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Stokols |first1=Eli |last2=Cancryn |first2=Adam |title=Biden declares the ERA the law of the land — but it likely will not matter |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/17/biden-era-amendment-004495 |access-date=January 17, 2025 |work=Politico |date=January 17, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Biden says Equal Rights Amendment is ratified, kicking off expected legal battle as he pushes through final executive actions |last1=Klein |first1=Betsy |last2=Saenz |first2=Arlette Saenz |date=January 17, 2025 |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/17/politics/joe-biden-equal-right-amendment/index.html |access-date=January 17, 2025}}</ref> and the [[National Archives of the United States|National Archives]] has said it does not intend to certify the amendment as part of the constitution due to "established legal, judicial, and procedural decisions".<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2025/nr25-004|title=Statement on the Equal Rights Amendment Ratification Process|date=December 17, 2024|access-date=January 17, 2025|publisher=The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration}}</ref>

==== Economic policy ==== {{Main|Economic policy of the Biden administration}} [[File:US Uninsured Under Age 65.png|thumb|upright=1.3|Percentage of uninsured Americans under age 65 from 2010 to 2022. The number and percentage of those uninsured under Biden fell to their lowest levels since 1997.]] Biden entered office nine months into a recovery from the [[COVID-19 recession]] and his first year in office was characterized by robust growth in real GDP, employment, wages, and stock market returns, amid [[2021–2022 inflation surge|significantly elevated inflation]]. Real GDP grew 5.9%, the fastest rate in 37 years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Mutikani |first1=Lucia |date=September 29, 2022 |title=U.S. economic growth revised up; gap between GDP and GDI narrows sharply |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-economic-growth-revised-up-gap-between-gdp-gdi-narrows-sharply-2022-09-29/}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Tappe |first1=Anneken |date=January 27, 2022 |title=The US economy grew at the fastest rate in 2021 since the Reagan administration |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/27/economy/us-fourth-quarter-2021-gdp/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127201057/https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/27/economy/us-fourth-quarter-2021-gdp/index.html |archive-date=January 27, 2022}}</ref> Amid record job creation, the unemployment rate fell at the fastest pace on record.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Mutikani |first1=Lucia |date=January 7, 2022 |title=U.S. labor market eyes maximum employment despite underwhelming December payrolls |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-employment-growth-misses-expectations-unemployment-rate-falls-39-2022-01-07/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121221243/https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-employment-growth-misses-expectations-unemployment-rate-falls-39-2022-01-07/ |archive-date=January 21, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Pickert |first1=Reade |date=January 7, 2022 |title=U.S. Sees Record Job Growth in 2021 After Millions Lost in 2020 |publisher=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-07/u-s-sees-record-job-growth-in-2021-after-millions-lost-in-2020 |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129065310/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-07/u-s-sees-record-job-growth-in-2021-after-millions-lost-in-2020 |archive-date=January 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PAYEMS|title=All Employees, Total Nonfarm|publisher=fred.stlouisfed.org|access-date=July 29, 2022}}</ref> By the end of 2021, inflation rates measured by the consumer price index (CPI) reached a nearly 40-year high of 7.1%, which was partially offset by the highest nominal wage and salary growth in at least 20 years. The inflation rate peaked at 9% in June 2022.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref name = "chartingecon"/><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Rubin |first1=Gabriel T. |date=January 28, 2022 |title=U.S. Wages, Benefits Rose at Two-Decade High as Inflation Picked Up |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-employers-labor-costs-inflation-11643331612 |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130032502/https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-employers-labor-costs-inflation-11643331612 |archive-date=January 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Smialek |first1=Jeanna |last2=Casselman |first2=Ben |date=January 28, 2022 |title=Inflation Continued to Run Hot and Consumer Spending Fell in December |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/business/pce-inflation-federal-reserve.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128134006/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/business/pce-inflation-federal-reserve.html |archive-date=January 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Iacurci |first1=Greg |date=January 31, 2022 |title=Wage growth may be slowing from 'breakneck' pace |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/31/wage-growth-may-be-slowing-from-breakneck-pace.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203205842/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/31/wage-growth-may-be-slowing-from-breakneck-pace.html |archive-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Graffeo |first1=Emily |last2=Wang |first2=Lu |date=November 3, 2021 |title=S&P 500 Is Up 37% Since Biden's Election One Year Ago, Setting Presidential Record |work=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-03/s-p-500-notches-best-one-year-run-after-a-presidential-election |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106213451/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-03/s-p-500-notches-best-one-year-run-after-a-presidential-election |archive-date=November 6, 2021}}</ref>}} The inflation rate reached 2.9% and core inflation rate reached 3.2% on an annual basis in December 2024, the last full month of Biden's term. Between December 2020 and December 2024, CPI rose 21.3% overall, with an annualized inflation rate of 5.3% throughout Biden's term in office. The inflation rate remained above the Federal Reserve's 2% target every month since March 2021, resulting in elevated interest rates to combat inflation. Average wages increased 19% throughout Biden's presidency, falling behind inflation. The unemployment rate declined by over 2% and real GDP grew 11% during Biden's term. Total household net worth increased by 28%, largely driven by stocks and real estate. The national debt grew to $36.2 trillion, with a debt to GDP ratio of 123% and a deficit to GDP ratio of 6% in FY 2024.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Derek |last=Saul |date=January 15, 2025 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |title=Inflation Ticked Up To 2.9% In December As Expected—Highest Since July |magazine=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/15/cpi-inflation-ticked-up-to-29-in-december-highest-since-july-as-economists-note-stalling-progress/}}</ref><ref name = "chartingecon">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=January 19, 2025 |title=Charting the Biden economy: Despite all the growth and jobs, a deeply unpopular president |agency=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/19/charting-the-biden-economy-deeply-unpopular-despite-growth-and-jobs.html|quote=Joe Biden leaves the presidency with what appears to be a sterling economic record. There's just one problem, and it is one that will forever taint the 46th president's legacy. Inflation and its onerous burden on households, particularly at the lower end of the income spectrum, dwarfed all the other good that happened on Biden's watch.}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Megan |last=Leonhardt |date=January 2, 2025 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |title=The U.S. Can't Grow Its Way Out of Debt. Here's What It Can Do. |magazine=[[Barron's]] |url=https://www.barrons.com/amp/articles/us-national-debt-deficit-f64e6712}}</ref> In February 2023, the unemployment rate fell to 3.4%, a 53-year low.<ref>{{cite news| title=U. S. Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.4%, Lowest in 53 Years| work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]| url=https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/minute-briefing/us-unemployment-drops-to-34-lowest-in-53-years/fe5194d4-7204-40a9-9d26-c64b26932ee0?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAhRsNgMD1GHOEGA7s4IGa1Te5yaNtwKEFy4Z15V35Ykcloc2BX7k_UxMt9nqGM%3D&gaa_ts=686d38e8&gaa_sig=OfBJhbqDW5JOwzVcz2y4cafhz6Pcd55gHhGNeyRIN4s9IYIKM0y9UvjJskIJP9u37pZcu4Vn4KotxwpmToH4wg%3D%3D}}</ref>

Amid a surge in [[2021–2023 inflation surge|inflation]] and [[2021–present global energy crisis|high gas prices]], Biden's approval ratings declined, with his disapproval rating surpassing his approval rating in early 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Liptak |first1=Kevin |last2=Mattingly |first2=Phil |date=January 28, 2022 |title=Biden is aiming to hit the road to reset his presidency. He starts with yet another stop in Pennsylvania. |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/28/politics/joe-biden-pittsburgh-trip/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204225558/https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/28/politics/joe-biden-pittsburgh-trip/index.html |archive-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=President Biden Job Approval |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president-biden-job-approval-7320.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124133936/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president-biden-job-approval-7320.html |archive-date=January 24, 2021 |access-date=February 10, 2022 |website=[[RealClearPolitics]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Daniel |first=Will |date=July 18, 2022 |title=Inflation drives President Biden's economic approval rating to a record low |url=https://fortune.com/2022/07/18/inflation-president-biden-approval-rating-lower-donald-trump/ |access-date=September 13, 2022 |magazine=Fortune}}</ref> After 5.9% growth in 2021, real GDP growth cooled in 2022 to 2.1%, after slightly negative growth in the first half spurred recession concerns. Job creation and consumer spending remained strong, as the unemployment rate fell to match a 53-year low of 3.5% in December. Inflation peaked at 9.1% in June before easing to 3.2% by October 2023. Stocks had had their worst year since 2008<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Bhattarai |first1=Abha |date=January 26, 2023 |title=U.S. economy grew 2.1 percent in 2022, but recession fears linger |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/01/26/gdp-2022-q4-economy/}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|author-first1=Jesse |author-last1=Pound |author-first2=Samantha |author-last2=Subin |date=December 30, 2022 |title=Stocks fall to end Wall Street's worst year since 2008, S&P 500 finishes 2022 down nearly 20% |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/29/stock-market-futures-open-to-close-news.html}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Iacurci |first1=Greg |date=January 12, 2023 |title=Here's the inflation breakdown for December 2022 — in one chart |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/12/heres-the-inflation-breakdown-for-december-2022-in-one-chart.html}}</ref> before recovering. Widespread predictions of an imminent recession did not materialize in 2022 or 2023, and by late 2023 indicators showed sharply lower inflation with economic acceleration. GDP growth hit 4.9% in the third quarter of 2023 and the year ended with stocks near record highs, with robust holiday spending.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Harrison |first1=David |date=October 23, 2023 |title=The Economy Was Supposed to Slow by Now. Instead It's Revving Up. |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/economy/the-economy-was-supposed-to-slow-by-now-instead-its-revving-up-3c0f7a2e |url-access=subscription |quote=Recent economic data suggest the economy is accelerating despite higher borrowing costs, the resumption of student-loan payments, and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East ... Analysts, many of whom had expected a recession this year, are pushing up their forecasts ... After predicting a recession for the past year, economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal this month said they now believe that the economy will avoid a downturn in the next 12 months. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122184856/https://www.wsj.com/economy/the-economy-was-supposed-to-slow-by-now-instead-its-revving-up-3c0f7a2e |archive-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=October 26, 2023 |title=GDP surged 4.9% in the third quarter, defying the Fed's rate hikes |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gdp-third-quarter-4-9-economic-growth/ |access-date=November 21, 2023 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Robust holiday shopping sends economy soaring into 2024 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/12/26/holiday-sales-retail-mastercard/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 26, 2023|first1=Rachel |last1=Siegel |first2=Aaron |last2=Gregg}}</ref>

Biden signed numerous major pieces of economic legislation in the [[117th United States Congress|117th Congress]], including the [[American Rescue Plan Act of 2021|American Rescue Plan]], [[Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]], [[CHIPS and Science Act]], and the [[Inflation Reduction Act]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Jones |first=Dustin |title=Despite infighting, it's been a surprisingly productive 2 years for Democrats |date=January 2023 |publisher=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/01/01/1143149435/despite-infighting-its-been-a-surprisingly-productive-2-years-for-democrats}}</ref> He signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law on August 9, 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Shepardson |first1=David |last2=Mason |first2=Jeff |date=August 10, 2022 |title=Biden signs bill to boost U.S. chips, compete with China |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/biden-sign-bill-boost-us-chips-compete-with-china-2022-08-09/ |access-date=August 17, 2022 |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> It provided billions of dollars in new funding to boost domestic research on and manufacture of [[semiconductors]], to [[China–United States relations#Economic relations|compete economically with China]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Johnson |first=Lamar |date=August 9, 2022 |title=Biden ends slog on semiconductor bill with signature |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/09/biden-ends-slog-on-semiconductor-bill-with-signature-00050530 |access-date=August 9, 2022 |magazine=[[Politico]] |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621192521/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/09/biden-ends-slog-on-semiconductor-bill-with-signature-00050530 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In his third month in office, Biden also signed an executive order to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors to $15 per hour. The order went into effect for 390,000 workers in January 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Biden raising minimum wage for federal contractors to $15/hr |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-raises-minimum-wage-federal-contractors-15hr-2021-04-27/ |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=April 27, 2021|author-first1=Nandita |author-last1=Bose|author-first2=Jarrett|author-last2= Renshaw}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Juliana |last=Kaplan |access-date=August 14, 2023 |title=Nearly 400,000 federal contractors will get paid $15 an hour starting this weekend. Biden's labor secretary says there's 'no question' it'll cut down on labor shortages. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/federal-contractors-15-hour-minimum-wage-could-end-labor-shortges-2022-1 |work=Business Insider |date=January 28, 2022}}</ref> His administration rigorously enforced [[United States antitrust law|antitrust law]].

In 2022, Biden blocked a [[2022 United States railroad labor dispute|national railroad strike]] planned by multiple labor unions.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=David |last1=Shepardson |first2=Nandita |last2=Bose |date=December 2, 2022 |access-date=October 1, 2024 |title=Biden signs bill to block U.S. railroad strike |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-signs-bill-block-us-railroad-strike-2022-12-02/ }}</ref> During the [[2023 United Auto Workers strike|United Auto Workers strike]], he expressed support for the workers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=September 15, 2023 |title=UAW strike: Biden says striking car workers deserve 'fair share' |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66822558 |access-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915171936/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66822558 |url-status=live }}</ref> Biden joined striking UAW workers' [[picketing|picket line]] in Michigan, becoming the first president to join a picket line.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=September 26, 2023|title=Biden visits the picket line in Michigan to show solidarity with striking UAW|agency=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/26/politics/biden-picket-line-michigan-uaw/index.html|access-date=September 26, 2023|archive-date=September 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926185932/https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/09/26/politics/biden-picket-line-michigan-uaw/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He refused to block a [[2024 United States port strike|port strike]] from the [[International Longshoremen's Association]] in October 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Ry |last1=Rivard |first2=Cassandra |last2=Dumay |date=October 1, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |title=Biden won't step in to stop dockworker strike |newspaper=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/01/biden-administration-dockworker-strike-00181839 }}</ref>

Over the course of five days in March 2023, [[2023 banking crisis|three small- to mid-size U.S. banks failed]], triggering a sharp decline in global bank stock prices and swift response by regulators to prevent potential global [[Financial contagion|contagion]]. After [[Collapse of Silicon Valley Bank|Silicon Valley Bank collapsed]], the first to do so, Biden expressed opposition to a bailout by taxpayers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Cathey |first=Libby |date=March 13, 2023 |title=Amid crisis, Biden tells Americans 'banking system is safe' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-speaks-banking-crisis/story?id=97820883 |access-date=March 13, 2023 |agency=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref> He claimed that the [[Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act|partial rollback]] of [[Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act|Dodd-Frank regulations]] contributed to the bank's failure.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Hunnicutt |first=Trevor |date=March 13, 2023 |title=Biden vows new bank rules after SVB collapse, cites Trump rollback |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/biden-defend-us-banking-system-after-svb-signature-collapse-2023-03-13/ |access-date=March 13, 2023 |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

At the beginning of the [[118th United States Congress|118th Congress]], Biden and congressional Republicans [[2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis|engaged in a standoff]] after the U.S. hit its [[United States debt ceiling|debt limit]], which raised the risk that the U.S. would [[Default (finance)|default]] on its debt.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Diamond |first1=Jeremy |last2=Fox |first2=Lauren |last3=Zanona |first3=Melanie |last4=Mattingly |first4=Phil |last5=Saenz |first5=Arlette |last6=Liptak |first6=Kevin |date=June 1, 2023 |title=Inside a debt ceiling standoff 'far more dangerous than people will recognize' |publisher=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/31/politics/biden-mccarthy-debt-ceiling-behind-the-scenes/index.html |access-date=June 11, 2023}}</ref> Biden and House speaker [[Kevin McCarthy]] struck a deal to raise the debt limit, the [[Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023]], which suspended the debt limit until January 2025. Biden signed it on June 3, averting a default.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Megerian |first1=Chris |date=June 3, 2023 |title=Biden signs debt ceiling bill that pulls US back from brink of unprecedented default |publisher=Associated Press News |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-debt-ceiling-budget-signing-f78a000d83cf85ffbaa2d08637844053 |access-date=June 11, 2023}}</ref> The deal was generally seen as favorable to Biden.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Baker |first1=Peter |date=June 1, 2023 |title=The Calm Man in the Capital: Biden Lets Others Spike the Ball but Notches a Win |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/01/us/politics/biden-mccarthy-debt-ceiling-deal-who-won.html |access-date=June 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Tankersley |first1=Jim |date=June 3, 2023 |title=Biden's Debt Deal Strategy: Win in the Fine Print |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/03/us/politics/biden-debt-ceiling-deal.html |access-date=June 11, 2023}}</ref>

Biden extended the COVID-19 student loan pause through September 2023, with an "on ramp" period that extended some of the pause's protections against credit reporting, collection efforts, and late payment fees through September 30, 2024.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Minsky |first=Adam S. |title=Huge Changes For Student Loan Repayment Begin In 5 Days For 30 Million Borrowers |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2024/09/25/huge-changes-for-student-loan-repayment-begin-in-5-days-for-30-million-borrowers/ |access-date=September 28, 2024 |magazine=Forbes}}</ref> The Biden administration's attempts to implement student loan forgiveness and relief programs have faced legal challenges from a coalition of Republican-led states.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Minsky |first=Adam S. |title=2 Major Student Loan Forgiveness Rulings For IDR, New Biden Plan Expected In Just Weeks |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2024/09/20/2-major-student-loan-forgiveness-rulings-for-idr-new-biden-plan-expected-in-just-weeks/ |access-date=September 28, 2024 |magazine=Forbes}}</ref> Biden's plans to forgive student loan debt were estimated to cost over $519 billion,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=August 26, 2022 |title=The Biden Student Loan Forgiveness Plan: Budgetary Costs and Distributional Impact |url=https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2022/8/26/biden-student-loan-forgiveness#:~:text=We%20estimate%20that%20debt%20cancellation,will%20cost%20another%20$16%20billion. |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=Penn Wharton Budget Model}}</ref> and some critics called them a "disaster".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Camp |first=Emma |date=December 14, 2024 |title=Biden's attempts to forgive student debt were a disaster |url=https://reason.com/2024/12/14/student-debt-disaster/?utm_medium=reason_email&utm_source=new_at_reason&utm_campaign=reason_brand&utm_content=Senate%20Tees%20Up%20$200%20Billion%20Social%20Security%20Giveaway%20to%20Public%20Sector%20Workers&utm_term=&time=December%2016th,%202024&mpid=38717&mpweb=2534-5255-38717 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |magazine=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]}}</ref>

==== Judiciary ==== {{Further|List of federal judges appointed by Joe Biden}} [[File:P20220407AS-0337 (52068715434).jpg|thumb|Biden and [[Ketanji Brown Jackson]] watching the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] vote on her confirmation, April 2022|alt=Photo of Biden and Jackson looking at an off-camera television screen]]

By the end of 2021, 40 of his nominees to the federal judiciary had been confirmed, more than any president in his first year in office since [[Ronald Reagan]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Raymond |first1=Nate |date=December 28, 2021 |title=Biden finishes 2021 with most confirmed judicial picks since Reagan |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/biden-finishes-2021-with-most-confirmed-judicial-picks-since-reagan-2021-12-28/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201053907/https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/biden-finishes-2021-with-most-confirmed-judicial-picks-since-reagan-2021-12-28/ |archive-date=February 1, 2022 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Biden prioritized diversity in his judicial appointments more than any president in U.S. history, with most of his appointees being women and people of color.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Johnson |first=Carrie |date=December 28, 2021 |title=Biden had a productive year picking federal judges. The job could get tougher in 2022 |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/12/28/1067206141/biden-federal-judges-nominations-diverse |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204171925/https://www.npr.org/2021/12/28/1067206141/biden-federal-judges-nominations-diverse |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref>

In January 2022, Supreme Court justice [[Stephen Breyer]] announced his intention to retire. During his 2020 campaign, Biden vowed to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court if a vacancy occurred,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Totenberg |first=Nina |date=January 26, 2022 |title=Justice Stephen Breyer, an influential liberal on the Supreme Court, to retire |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/01/26/1075781724/justice-stephen-breyer-supreme-court-retires |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204091216/https://www.npr.org/2022/01/26/1075781724/justice-stephen-breyer-supreme-court-retires |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref> a promise he reiterated after Breyer announced his retirement.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Chung |first1=Andrew |last2=Hurley |first2=Lawrence |last3=Holland |first3=Steve |date=January 28, 2022 |title=Biden vows to nominate Black woman to U.S. Supreme Court by end of February |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/retiring-us-justice-breyer-appear-with-biden-white-house-2022-01-27/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202194132/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/retiring-us-justice-breyer-appear-with-biden-white-house-2022-01-27/ |archive-date=February 2, 2022 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> On February 25, [[Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court nomination|Biden nominated]] federal judge [[Ketanji Brown Jackson]].<ref>{{cite press release |date=February 25, 2022 |title=President Biden Nominates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Serve as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/02/25/president-biden-nominates-judge-ketanji-brown-jackson-to-serve-as-associate-justice-of-the-u-s-supreme-court/ |publisher=[[White House Office]] |access-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228102827/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/02/25/president-biden-nominates-judge-ketanji-brown-jackson-to-serve-as-associate-justice-of-the-u-s-supreme-court/ |url-status=live}}</ref> She was sworn in on June 30.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Bustillo |first1=Ximena |date=June 30, 2022 |title=Ketanji Brown Jackson sworn in as first Black woman on the Supreme Court |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/06/30/1108714345/ketanji-brown-jackson-supreme-court-oath-swearing-in |access-date=July 5, 2022 |publisher=NPR}}</ref> By the end of his presidency, Biden had appointed 235 judges, more appointments in a single term than any other president in at least 50 years. 63% of Biden's judges were women and 60% were non-white.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |first1=Cooper |last1=Burton |first2=Amina |last2=Brown |title=How Biden reshaped the judiciary |url=https://abcnews.go.com/538/biden-reshaped-judiciary/story?id=117717279 |agency =ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=January 9, 2025 |title=How presidents compare on the racial, ethnic diversity of their appointed judges |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/01/09/how-biden-compares-with-other-recent-presidents-in-appointing-federal-judges/sr_25-01-09_biden-judges_3/ |publisher=Pew Research}}</ref> Biden expressed interest in judicial [[Term limits in the United States#Federal term limits|term limits]] and a binding ethics code for Supreme Court justices.<ref name="BidenSCOTUSreform">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Madhani|first1=Aamer|last2=Long|first2=Colleen|title=Biden decries 'extremism' on Supreme Court, details plan for term limits, ethics code for justices|url=https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-reform-biden-harris-trump-ffd48f3a2023aeca841bb53c2147ef03|date=July 29, 2024|access-date=August 16, 2024|publisher=Associated Press}}</ref>

==== Infrastructure and climate ==== {{Further|Build Back Better Plan|Environmental policy of the Biden administration}}

As part of Biden's Build Back Better agenda, in late March 2021, he proposed the [[American Jobs Plan]], a $2 trillion package addressing issues including transport infrastructure, utilities infrastructure, broadband infrastructure, housing, schools, manufacturing, research and workforce development.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Holland |first1=Steve |last2=Renshaw |first2=Jarrett |date=March 31, 2021 |title=Biden says $2 trillion jobs plan rivals the space race in its ambition |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-infrastructure-idUSKBN2BN13C |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413130443/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-infrastructure-idUSKBN2BN13C |archive-date=April 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Siegel |first1=Rachel |date=March 31, 2021 |title=What's in Biden's $2 trillion jobs and infrastructure plan? |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/31/what-is-in-biden-infrastructure-plan/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401015541/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/31/what-is-in-biden-infrastructure-plan/ |archive-date=April 1, 2021}}</ref> After months of negotiations among Biden and lawmakers, in August 2021 the Senate passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill called the [[Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Romm |first1=Tony |date=August 10, 2021 |title=Senate approves bipartisan, $1 trillion infrastructure bill, bringing major Biden goal one step closer |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/08/10/senate-infrastructure-bill-vote-biden/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929154828/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/08/10/senate-infrastructure-bill-vote-biden/ |archive-date=September 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Pramuk |first1=Jacob |date=August 10, 2021 |title=Senate passes $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, sending key part of Biden's economic agenda to the House |publisher=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/10/senate-to-pass-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108112959/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/10/senate-to-pass-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill.html |archive-date=November 8, 2021}}</ref> while the House, also in a bipartisan manner, approved that bill in early November 2021, covering infrastructure related to transport, utilities, and broadband.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Jalonick |first1=Mary Clare |date=November 7, 2021 |title=Roads, transit, internet: What's in the infrastructure bill |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-business-broadband-internet-congress-d89d6bb1b39cd9c67ae9fc91f5eb4c0d |url-status=live |access-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107214148/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-business-broadband-internet-congress-d89d6bb1b39cd9c67ae9fc91f5eb4c0d |archive-date=November 7, 2021}}</ref> Biden signed the bill into law in mid-November 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Boak |first1=Josh |last2=Long |first2=Colleen |date=November 16, 2021 |title=Biden signs $1T infrastructure deal with bipartisan crowd |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144 |url-status=live |access-date=November 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116045821/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144 |archive-date=November 16, 2021}}</ref>

The other core part of the Build Back Better agenda was the [[Build Back Better Act]], a $3.5 trillion social spending bill that expands the [[social safety net]] and includes major provisions on climate change.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Pramuk |first=Jacob |date=August 11, 2021 |title=Senate approves framework of $3.5 trillion budget plan that would expand Medicare, tax credits and climate initiatives |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/11/senate-passes-3point5-trillion-budget-resolution-after-infrastructure-bill.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411025307/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/11/senate-passes-3point5-trillion-budget-resolution-after-infrastructure-bill.html |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |accessdate=April 13, 2022 |publisher=CNBC}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Frazin |first=Rachel |date=July 14, 2021 |title=Democratic senator: Reconciliation package to include clean electricity standard |url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/562983-senator-expects-clean-electricity-standard-to-be-part-of/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026222513/https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/562983-senator-expects-clean-electricity-standard-to-be-part-of |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |accessdate=April 13, 2022}}</ref> Democrats attempted to pass it on a [[party-line vote]] through [[Reconciliation (United States Congress)|budget reconciliation]], but struggled to win the support of Senator [[Joe Manchin]], even as the price was lowered to $2.2 trillion.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first1=Nancy |last1=Cordes |first2=Ellis |last2=Kim |first3=Ed |last3=O'Keefe |first4=Weijia |last4=Jiang |first5=Jordan |last5=Freiman |date=October 5, 2021 |title=Biden sets $1.9 – $2.2 trillion price range for social safety net bill in call with House progressives |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-reconciliation-bill-house-democrats-progressives/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023023747/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-reconciliation-bill-house-democrats-progressives/ |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |accessdate=April 13, 2022 |publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> After Manchin rejected the bill,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Seipel |first1=Arnie |last2=Hernandez |first2=Joe |date=December 19, 2021 |title=Joe Manchin says he won't support President Biden's Build Back Better plan |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/12/19/1065636709/joe-manchin-says-he-cannot-support-bidens-build-back-better-plan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411025452/https://www.npr.org/2021/12/19/1065636709/joe-manchin-says-he-cannot-support-bidens-build-back-better-plan |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |accessdate=April 13, 2022 |publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref> it was comprehensively reworked into the [[Inflation Reduction Act of 2022]], covering deficit reduction, climate change, healthcare, and tax reform.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Dennis |first=Brady |date=August 14, 2022 |title=As Congress funds high-tech climate solutions, it also bets on a low-tech one: Nature |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2022/08/14/nature-climate-solutions-inflation-reduction-act/ |access-date=August 29, 2022}}</ref>

The [[Inflation Reduction Act of 2022]] was introduced by Manchin and Senator [[Chuck Schumer]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Bose |first1=Nandita |last2=Holland |first2=Steve |date=August 17, 2022 |title=Biden signs inflation act, hands pen to Manchin |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-signs-430-billion-climate-healthcare-tax-bill-2022-08-16/ |access-date=August 21, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Walters |first1=Joanna |last2=Helmore |first2=Edward |date=July 31, 2022 |title=Joe Manchin hails expansive bill he finally agrees to as 'great for America' |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jul/31/joe-manchin-hails-deal-inflation-reduction-act |access-date=August 21, 2022}}</ref> The package aimed to raise $739 billion and authorize $370 billion in spending on energy and [[climate change]], $300 billion in deficit reduction, three years of [[Affordable Care Act]] subsidies, prescription drug reform to lower prices, and [[tax reform]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Greve |first=Joan E. |date=August 7, 2022 |title=Senate passes $739bn healthcare and climate bill after months of wrangling |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/07/inflation-reduction-act-senate-democrats-pass |access-date=August 21, 2022}}</ref> According to an analysis by the Rhodium Group, the bill will lower [[Climate change in the United States|U.S. greenhouse gas emissions]] between 31 percent and 44 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.<ref name="Joan">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=E Greve |first1=Joan |date=August 12, 2022 |title=US House passes Democrats' landmark healthcare and climate bill |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/12/us-house-passes-climate-bill-inflation-reduction-act |access-date=August 14, 2022}}</ref> On August 7, 2022, the Senate passed the bill (as amended) on a 51–50 vote, with all Democrats voting in favor, all Republicans opposed, and Vice President [[Kamala Harris]] [[List of tie-breaking votes cast by the vice president of the United States|breaking the tie]]. Biden signed the bill on August 16.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Pitas |first=Costas |date=August 13, 2022 |title=Biden to sign $430 billion climate and tax bill into law next week |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-sign-430-bln-climate-tax-bill-into-law-next-week-2022-08-12/ |access-date=August 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Shabad |first1=Rebecca |last2=Egan |first2=Lauren |date=August 16, 2022 |title=Biden signs major climate, health care and tax bill into law |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/biden-sign-major-climate-health-care-spending-bill-rcna43269 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |publisher=[[NBC News]]}}</ref>

Before and during the [[2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] (COP26), Biden promoted an agreement that the U.S. and the [[European Union]] cut methane emissions by a third by 2030 and tried to add dozens of other countries to the effort.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Natter |first1=Ari |last2=A Dlouhy |first2=Jennifer |last3=Krukowska |first3=Ewa |title=U.S. and EU Vow Steep Methane Cuts Ahead of Climate Summit |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-14/u-s-and-eu-to-pledge-steep-methane-cuts-ahead-of-climate-summit |access-date=September 17, 2021 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |date=September 14, 2021 |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917193105/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-14/u-s-and-eu-to-pledge-steep-methane-cuts-ahead-of-climate-summit |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden pledged to double climate funding to developing countries by 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Biden pledges to double U.S. climate change aid; some activists unimpressed |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/us-seeks-double-climate-change-aid-developing-nations-biden-2021-09-21/ |first= Valerie |last=Volcovici |access-date=September 29, 2021 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=September 21, 2021 |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925130818/https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/us-seeks-double-climate-change-aid-developing-nations-biden-2021-09-21/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Also at COP26, the U.S. and China reached a deal on greenhouse gas emission reduction. The two countries are responsible for 40 percent of global emissions.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=COP26: Cautious welcome for unexpected US-China climate agreement |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-59243434 |access-date=November 15, 2021 |publisher=BBC News |date=November 11, 2021 |archive-date=November 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114161429/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-59243434 |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2023, when [[2023 Western North America heat wave|heat waves hit the United States]], Biden announced measures to protect the population and said the heat waves were linked to climate change.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Protect Workers and Communities from Extreme Heat |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/07/27/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-announce-new-actions-to-protect-workers-and-communities-from-extreme-heat/ |publisher=The White House |date=July 27, 2023 |access-date=August 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Sprunt |first1=Barbara |title=Biden rolled out some new measures to respond to extreme heat as temperatures soar |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/07/27/1190435892/biden-extreme-heat-climate |access-date=August 15, 2023 |publisher=NPR |date=July 27, 2023}}</ref> In April 2024, he unveiled a plan to protect and restore natural water sources (3.2 million hectares of [[wetland]]s and 161,000 km of waterways).<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Biden sets new target to protect vast US water sources |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-sets-new-target-protect-vast-us-water-sources-2024-04-23/ |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025}}</ref>

Biden protected 674 million acres of land and ocean from natural resource exploitation, more than any other president. The vast majority of the conservation came from a ban on offshore drilling in 625 million acres of ocean.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Wilson |first1=Janet |last2=Coulter |first2=Tom |title=Biden to create two new national monuments in California |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/01/07/president-biden-new-national-monuments-california/77503768007/ |access-date=January 9, 2025 |newspaper=USA today |date=January 7, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Nilsen |first1=Ella |title=President Biden to establish two new national monuments in California |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/07/climate/biden-national-monuments/index.html |access-date=January 9, 2025 |agency=CNN |date=January 7, 2025}}</ref>

==== Immigration ==== {{Main|Immigration policy of the Biden administration}}

[[File:2000- Border apprehensions at southwest border.svg|thumb|upright=1.0|Yearly numbers of illegal immigrants apprehended at the [[Mexico–United States border|U.S. southern border]]<ref name=IllegalCrossings_2001->{{cite web |title=How many illegal crossings are attempted at the US-Mexico border each month? |url=https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-migrant-encounters-are-there-along-the-us-mexico-border/country/united-states/ |publisher=USA Facts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260304153554/https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-migrant-encounters-are-there-along-the-us-mexico-border/country/united-states/ |archive-date=4 March 2026 |date=14 April 2026 |url-status=live}} "Source: US Customs and Border Protection".</ref>]] On taking office, Biden unveiled the [[U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021]] and moved to dismantle several policies implemented under [[Donald Trump]], halting construction of the [[Mexico–United States border wall]], ending Trump's [[Executive Order 13780|travel ban]] on countries with predominantly Muslim populations, and signing an executive order to reaffirm protections for [[DACA]] recipients.<ref name="Narea">{{cite news|last1=Narea|first1=Nicole|date=20 January 2021|title=Biden is already rolling back Trump's immigration legacy|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|publisher=|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2021/1/20/22240549/biden-executive-actions-immigration|access-date=20 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="Bradner">{{cite news|last1=Bradner|first1=Eric|last2=Klein|first2=Betsy|date=January 20, 2021|title=Biden targets Trump's legacy with first-day executive actions|work=|publisher=[[CNN]]|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/20/politics/executive-actions-biden/index.html|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{cite news|last=|first=|date=January 20, 2021|title=Biden's first act: Orders on pandemic, climate, immigration|work=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=|url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-executive-orders-b5b409da08e42414b9a12e2c67ee2df6|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> The [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]] narrowed the scope of interior immigration enforcement, directing [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement|Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)]] to prioritize national security and violent crime concerns.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last1=Miroff|first1=Nick|last2=Sacchetti|first2=Maria|date=February 7, 2021|title=New Biden rules for ICE point to fewer arrests and deportations, and a more restrained agency that allows for a higher influx of migrants from Latin America.|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/new-biden-rules-for-ice-point-to-fewer-arrests-and-deportations-and-a-more-restrained-agency/2021/02/07/faccb854-68c6-11eb-bf81-c618c88ed605_story.html|access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref>

[[Illegal entry|Illegal border crossings]] at the [[Mexico–United States border]] began to surge in 2021 when Biden assumed office,{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=January 26, 2024 |title=Illegal border crossings from Mexico reach highest on record in December before January lull |url=https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-crossings-mexico-biden-18ac91ef502e0c5433f74de6cc629b32 |work = Associated Press News}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=January 2, 2024 |title=Migrant encounters along southwest border reach all-time high of 302,000 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/migrant-encounters-reach-time-high-southwest-border/story?id=106050779|author-first1=Luke|author-last1=Barr|agency = ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=December 29, 2023 |title=December migrant surge at Southern border largest in more than two decades as mayors call for action|author-first1=Priscilla|author-last1=Alvarez|author-first2=Rosa|author-last2=Flores|author-first3=Holly|author-last3=Yan|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/29/us/us-mexico-border-migration/index.html|publisher = CNN}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=February 14, 2024 |title=Migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border hit a record high at the end of 2023 |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/02/15/migrant-encounters-at-the-us-mexico-border-hit-a-record-high-at-the-end-of-2023/ |publisher = Pew Research Center}}</ref>}} reaching an all-time monthly high in December 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Debusmann |first1=Bernd Jr. |title=Three reasons why so many migrants want to cross from Mexico to US |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68208637 |publisher=BBC News |date=February 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Gramlich |first1=John |title=2023 ended with more migrant encounters at U.S.-Mexico border than any month on record |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/02/15/migrant-encounters-at-the-us-mexico-border-hit-a-record-high-at-the-end-of-2023/sr_24-02-15_borderencounters_1-png/ |publisher=Pew Research Center |date=February 15, 2024}}</ref> Throughout 2024, crossings began to significantly decline from the December record, after Biden implemented restrictions on [[Asylum in the United States|asylum]] claims from migrants who cross the border between ports of entry and urged Mexico to crack down on migrants.<ref name="cbs-border-crossings">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=July 1, 2024 |title=Illegal crossings at U.S.-Mexico border fall to 3-year low, the lowest level under Biden |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/border-crossings-us-mexico-border-june-2024/ |publisher = CBS News}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=April 30, 2024 |title=A quieter border eases pressure on Biden, with a hand from Mexico |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/04/30/united-states-mexico-border-surge-biden/ |newspaper = The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=June 26, 2024 |title=Biden border restrictions bring sharp drop in illegal crossings |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/06/26/border-crossings-drop-biden-closures/ |newspaper = The Washington Post}}</ref> Deportations from October 2023 to September 2024 reached the highest level since 2014.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Alvarez |first=Priscilla |date=December 19, 2024 |title=Biden carried out the highest level of deportations since 2014, new report says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/19/politics/biden-deportations-report/index.html |access-date=December 21, 2024 |agency=CNN}}</ref> Biden used [[humanitarian parole]] to mitigate illegal border crossings, allowing migrants to fly into the U.S. or schedule their entries through official entry points in the U.S.-Mexico border. Over a million migrants had been admitted to the U.S. under humanitarian parole as of January 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=January 22, 2024 |title=Biden administration has admitted more than 1 million migrants into U.S. under parole policy Congress is considering restricting |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immigration-parole-biden-administration-1-million-migrants/ |publisher=CBS News}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=March 11, 2024|title=What Is Humanitarian Parole? How an Obscure Biden Immigration Policy Became So Controversial |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/humanitarian-parole-immigration-border-policy-controversy-eb4d63a9 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=March 8, 2024|title=Program that allows 30,000 migrants from 4 countries into the US each month upheld by judge |url=https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-haiti-cuba-nicaragua-venezuela-trial-fac9dc853231ba04ff0ea4e7442057ef |publisher=Associated Press News}}</ref>

Between January 2021 and January 2024, the US Border Patrol confirmed more than 7.2 million illegal migrants trying to cross the [[Mexico–United States border]], not counting [[gotaways]].<ref name="n197">{{cite news |last1=Miroff|first1=Nick|last2=Sacchetti|first2=Maria|last3=Frostenson|first3=Sarah|title=Trump vs. Biden on immigration: 12 charts comparing U.S. border security|newspaper=Washington Post|date=2024-02-11|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/02/11/trump-biden-immigration-border-compared/|access-date=2024-09-01|quote=Illegal border crossings soared to record levels under President Biden, averaging 2 million per year from 2021 to 2023.}}</ref><ref name="i231">{{cite web |last=Liles|first=Jordan|title=7.2M Migrants Have Illegally Crossed US Border Under Biden, Exceeding the Populations of 36 States?|website=Snopes|date=2024-02-22|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/million-migrants-border-biden/|access-date=2024-09-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gramlich|first1=John|last2=Scheller|first2=Alissa|title=What's happening at the U.S.-Mexico border in 7 charts|work=Pew Research Center|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/11/09/whats-happening-at-the-u-s-mexico-border-in-7-charts/|access-date=29 June 2022}}</ref> 2023 was a record year, with over 2.5 million encounters.<ref name="y193">{{cite web |last=Garsd|first=Jasmine|title=An unprecedented year in immigration, and in anti-immigration rhetoric|website=NPR|date=2023-12-22|url=https://www.npr.org/2023/12/22/1221006083/immigration-border-election-presidential|access-date=2024-09-14}}</ref> In response to sustained high levels of migration and growing political pressure, the administration implemented stricter measures beginning in 2023. Biden faced criticism from immigration advocates for extending [[Title 42 expulsion|Title 42]], a Trump administration border restriction that arose due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], and for restarting the use of "expedited removal" of certain Central American families.<ref name="Expedited">{{Cite web|last=Narea|first=Nicole|date=2021-08-04|title=Biden's immigration policy isn't Trump's — but it's still a disappointment|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2021/8/4/22605595/biden-immigration-border-title-42-deportation-mexico|access-date=2021-09-02|website=Vox|language=en}}</ref> In May 2023, the Biden administration approved sending 1,500 [[Operation Faithful Patriot|more troops]] to the U.S.-Mexico border as Title 42 expired.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-administration-considers-sending-1500-us-troops-border-ahead-lifting-title-42-sources|title=Biden administration approves sending 1,500 US troops to Mexico border as Title 42 deadline looms: sources|first1=Jennifer|last1=Griffin|first2=Liz|last2=Friden|first3=Chris|last3=Pandolfo|publisher=Fox News|date=2 May 2023|accessdate=2 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/02/politics/us-troops-border-migrant-surge/index.html|title=Biden admin to send 1,500 troops to southern border for support roles ahead of expected migrant surge|first1=Natasha|last1=Bertrand|first2=Priscilla|last2=Alvarez|first3=Haley|last3=Britzky|publisher=CNN|date=2 May 2023|accessdate=2 May 2023}}</ref>

In January 2024, Biden expressed support for a proposed bipartisan immigration deal led by Senators [[Kyrsten Sinema]] and [[James Lankford]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Jacobson |first=Don | url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2024/01/27/Biden-voices-support-Senate-border-bill-new-emergency-powers/7161706363564/ | title=Biden voices support for Senate border bill with new 'emergency' powers | publisher=[[United Press International]] | date=January 27, 2024 |access-date=July 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Montoya-Galvez |first1=Camilo |last2=Brennan |first2=Margaret |last3=Escobedo |first3=Richard | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immigration-deal-biden-senate-us-mexico-border-bill/ | title=Biden and senators on verge of striking immigration deal aimed at clamping down on illegal border crossings | agency=[[CBS News]] | date=January 28, 2024 |access-date=July 11, 2024}}</ref> The proposed bipartisan bill would have allowed [[Department of Homeland Security|DHS]] to close the border when encounters reach a seven-day average of 5,000 or exceed 8,500 in a single day.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Desjardins |first1=Lisa |last2=Midura |first2=Kyle | url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-the-bipartisan-border-deal-would-transform-the-u-s-immigration-system | title=How the bipartisan border deal would transform the U.S. immigration system | website=[[PBS News]] | date=February 4, 2024 |access-date=July 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Scholtes |first1=Jennifer |last2=Emma |first2=Caitlin | url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/05/biden-bipartisan-immigration-deal-00139558 | title=Detention and that border 'shutdown': What's really in Biden's bipartisan immigration deal | newspaper=[[Politico]] | date=February 5, 2024 |access-date=July 11, 2024}}</ref> In addition, the bill would have mandated the detention of migrants seeking asylum and undergoing asylum interviews, with those failing the process repatriated to their home countries.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Tsirkin |first=Julie | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/does-new-immigration-bill-5000-illegal-border-crossings-per-day-rcna136656 | title=The bipartisan border deal would not allow 5,000 illegal crossings per day, despite what Trump says | publisher=[[NBC News]] | date=January 31, 2024 |access-date=July 11, 2024}}</ref> While not addressing the status of "[[Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals|Dreamers]]", it would have changed immigration law to allow the children of those with [[H-1B visas]] to get work authorizations and freeze their legal ages while waiting for green cards, rather than face deportation once they turn 21, and provide additional funding for immigration judges.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Kapur |first1=Sahil |last2=Wong |first2=Scott |last3=Tsirkin |first3=Julie |last4=Ainsley |first4=Julia | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/new-immigration-asylum-reform-bill-released-senate-text-rcna136602 | title=Senators unveil bipartisan bill to impose tougher asylum and border laws | agency=[[NBC News]] | date=February 4, 2024 |access-date=July 11, 2024}}</ref>

Former president Donald Trump announced his opposition to the legislation, calling on Congressional Republicans to oppose it; subsequently, leaders such as [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] [[Mike Johnson]] announced their opposition, halting further legislative action.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Groves |first=Stephen | url=https://apnews.com/article/congress-border-security-ukraine-058876834b48bacf5b3678b067d8dd9a | title=Biden urges Congress to embrace border bill. But House speaker suggests it may be 'dead on arrival' | publisher=[[Associated Press]] | date=January 26, 2024 |access-date=July 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Shabad |first1=Rebecca |last2=Kapur |first2=Sahil | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-urge-congress-pass-bipartisan-border-security-bill-republicans-n-rcna137483 | title=Biden urges Congress to pass bipartisan immigration bill, says Republicans are 'caving' to Trump's demands |agency=[[NBC News]] | date=February 6, 2024 |access-date=July 11, 2024}}</ref> As a result of continued high immigration levels throughout his tenure, some lawmakers and pundits have criticized Biden's handling of the southern border.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Narea |first=Nicole |url=https://www.vox.com/politics/24153132/us-border-crisis-mexico-migrant-immigration-asylum |title=America's misunderstood border crisis, in 8 charts |website=Vox |date=June 3, 2024 |access-date=July 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Bryant |first1=Christa Case |last2=Babcock |first2=Caitlin |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2024/0416/biden-trump-immigration-border-crossings |title=How Biden and Trump compare on border crossings and immigration |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=July 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Saad |first=Lydia |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/610322/immigration-leads-reasons-biden-detractors-disapprove.aspx |title=Immigration Leads Reasons Biden's Detractors Disapprove |publisher=Gallup, Inc. |date=February 14, 2024 |access-date=July 7, 2024}}</ref> Criticism of the bill and broader immigration policy continued to be expressed by both sides, with some liberals considering his policies too harsh while some conservatives considered them too lax.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Debusmann |first=Bernd Jr. |date=May 17, 2024 |title=How Joe Biden and Donald Trump's border policies compare |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65574725 |access-date=July 8, 2024 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Miroff |first1=Nick |last2=Sacchetti |first2=Maria |last3=Frostenson |first3=Sarah |date=February 11, 2024 |title=Trump vs. Biden on immigration: 12 charts comparing U.S. border security |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/02/11/trump-biden-immigration-border-compared/ |access-date=July 8, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> On January 17, 2024, a Republican-led non-binding resolution denouncing the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the U.S. southern border passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 225–187, with 211 Republicans and 14 Democrats supporting it.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Adragna |first1=Anthony |title=14 Dems vote with GOP as House condemns Biden handling of southern border |url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/01/17/congress/house-gop-biden-border-rebuke-dems-00136221 |newspaper=Politico |access-date=January 18, 2025 |date=January 17, 2024}}</ref> In the final year of his presidency, the Biden administration worked to extend at least 14 contracts with private prison companies to run immigrant detention centers, despite his 2020 campaign promise to end the practice.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Olivares |first=José |date=December 5, 2024 |title=Revealed: Biden lays groundwork to expand immigration jails as Trump readies for office |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/05/biden-immigration-jails-trump-mass-deportation-plan |access-date=December 5, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In June 2024, Biden issued an [[A Proclamation on Securing the Border|executive order]] allowing the president to restrict the Mexico–U.S. border.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/04/us/politics/biden-executive-order-border-asylum.html |title=Biden Issues Executive Order to Temporarily Seal the Border to Asylum Seekers |date=June 4, 2024 |last1=Kanno-Youngs |first1=Zolan |last2=Aleaziz |first2=Hamed |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=June 4, 2024}}</ref><ref name="cbs-border-crossings" />

==== Pardons and commutations ==== Biden issued more individual pardons and commutations than any other president.<ref name = "APpardons"/> In October 2022, he pardoned all Americans convicted of "small" amounts of [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] possession under federal law.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Daniels |first1=Eugene |last2=Fertig |first2=Natalie |date=October 6, 2022 |title=Biden pardons marijuana offenses, calls for review of federal law |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/06/biden-to-pardon-marijuana-offenses-call-for-review-of-federal-law-00060796 |access-date=October 8, 2022 |magazine=[[Politico]]}}</ref> In December 2023, he pardoned Americans for cannabis use or possession on federal lands regardless of whether they had been charged or prosecuted.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shivaram |first=Deepa | url=https://www.npr.org/2023/12/22/1221230390/biden-pardons-clemency-marijuana-drug-offenses | title=Biden expands pardons for marijuana possession and grants clemency to 11 | publisher=[[NPR]] | date=December 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Zeke | url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-pardons-clemency-02abde991a05ff7dfa29bfc3c74e9d64 | title=Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana charges on federal lands and in Washington | publisher=[[Associated Press]] | date=December 22, 2023}}</ref> In December 2024, in the largest single-day clemency act in history, Biden granted clemency to about 1,500 nonviolent felons in [[home confinement]] who had previously been released from prison.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=Colleen | url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-pardons-clemency-4432002d67334e6716c2776fd73f3cc8 | title=Biden commutes roughly 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people in biggest single-day act of clemency | publisher=[[Associated Press]] | date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=December 14, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Keith |first1=Tamara |last2=Shivaram |first2=Deepa | url=https://www.npr.org/2024/12/12/nx-s1-5226683/biden-commutations-pardons | title=Biden commutes sentences for 1,500 people. Some say he could do a lot more | publisher=[[NPR]] | date=December 13, 2024 |access-date=December 14, 2024}}</ref> The act generated controversy, as it included felons such as [[Michael Conahan]], a judge involved in the [[kids for cash|kids for cash kickback scandal]], and [[Rita Crundwell]], a comptroller responsible for the single largest municipal fraud in U.S. history. The Biden administration said the offenders who received clemency "deserve a second chance" and were selected based on meeting certain criteria in a uniform decision.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/13/politics/joe-biden-commutations-pennsylvania-illinois/index.html | title=Victims 'shocked' after Biden grants clemency to 'kids-for-cash' judge and $54 million embezzler |agency=[[CNN]] |date=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Danner |first1=Chas | url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/joe-biden-clemency-list-pardons-commutations.html | title=Everyone Biden Has Granted Presidential Pardons and Commutations | magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] | date=December 13, 2024 |access-date=December 14, 2024}}</ref> Also in December 2024, Biden commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal [[death row]] inmates.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ruth |last=Comerford |title=Biden commutes most federal death sentences |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgkxe4xlvgxo |work=[[BBC News]] |date=December 23, 2024 |access-date=January 2, 2025}}</ref> On his last day in office, Biden commuted the sentence of [[Leonard Peltier]] to house arrest. Peltier had been convicted of murdering two FBI agents in 1975 and had served almost 50 years in prison.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Luke |last1=Barr |first2=Mark |last2=Osborne |title=Biden sparks outrage with last-minute commutation of man convicted of killing FBI agents |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-sparks-outrage-minute-commutation-leonard-peltier-man/story?id=117909582 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=March 1, 2025}}</ref> Biden also pardoned two Democratic officials: Ernest William Cromartie, who had served his prison sentence for [[tax evasion]], and [[Gerald G. Lundergan]], convicted of a scheme to funnel money to his daughter's Senate campaign and released in 2023.<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael D. |last=Shear |authorlink=Michael D. Shear |date=January 20, 2025 |title=Biden Pardons 5 Members of His Family in Final Minutes in Office |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/us/politics/biden-pardons-family.html |work= [[The New York Times]] |access-date=March 1, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |title=Biden pardons former Ky. Democratic Party leader moments before leaving office |url=https://www.wkyt.com/2025/01/20/biden-pardons-former-ky-democratic-party-leader-moments-before-leaving-office/ |work=[[WKYT-TV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |title=Former Columbia councilman Cromartie, previously jailed for tax evasion, pardoned by Biden |url=https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article298849453.html |work=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]]}}</ref>

On December 1, 2024, Biden [[Hunter Biden#Pardon of criminal offenses|issued a "full and unconditional" pardon]] to his son [[Hunter Biden|Hunter]] that covered all federal offenses between that day and 2014, breaking his June 2024 pledge not to do so.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Zeke |last2=Richer |first2=Alanna Durkin |last3=Long |first3=Colleen |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-son-hunter-charges-pardon-pledge-24f3007c2d2f467fa48e21bbc7262525 |title=Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to |work=[[AP News]] |date=December 2, 2024 |access-date=March 24, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-02 |title=Biden's broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy |url=https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-pardon-president-trump-d5c8e7fbead7218c9b1e03a290945267 |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> In a statement announcing the pardon, Biden said he believed his son was "selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted".<ref>{{cite news|last=Morin |first=Rebecca |title=President Biden pardons his son Hunter Biden despite pledges not to |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/12/01/president-joe-biden-hunter-biden-pardon/76693183007/ |access-date=December 2, 2024 |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref>

On his last day in office, Biden pardoned five family members, including [[James Biden|his brother James]], and others targeted for retribution by his successor.<ref name="lastpardonnyt">{{cite news|first1=Peter |last1=Baker |first2=Michael D. |last2=Shear |authorlink2=Michael D. Shear |date=January 20, 2025 |title=Biden in Final Hours Pardons Relatives and Others to Thwart Trump Reprisals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/us/politics/biden-pardons-fauci-milley-cheney-jan-6.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=March 1, 2025}}</ref> They included former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff [[Mark Milley]], former [[National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases]] director [[Anthony Fauci]], and members and participants in the [[House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack]].<ref name="lastpardonnyt"/><ref name = "APpardons">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=January 20, 2025 |title=Biden pardons Fauci, Milley and the Jan. 6 panel. It's a guard against potential 'revenge' by Trump |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-fauci-milley-pardons-january-6-3cba287f89051513fb48d7ae700ae747 |work = [[Associated Press News]]}}</ref> Biden said the pardons were preemptive, to protect the individuals against the [[Targeting of political opponents and civil society under the second Trump administration|incoming Trump administration's politically motivated vengeance]], and should not be seen as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.<ref name="lastpardonnyt"/><ref name="bbc.com"/><ref name="cnn.com">{{cite news |last1=Luhby |first1=Tami |last2=Lobosco |first2=Katie |date=January 14, 2021 |title=Here's what's in Biden's $1.9 trillion economic rescue package |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/biden-economic-rescue-package-coronavirus-stimulus/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218023132/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/biden-economic-rescue-package-coronavirus-stimulus/index.html |archive-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref>

====2022 elections==== {{Main|2022 United States elections}}

On September 2, 2022, in a nationally broadcast [[Battle for the Soul of the Nation speech|Philadelphia speech]], Biden called for a "battle for the soul of the nation". Off camera, he called Trump supporters "semi-fascists", which Republican commentators denounced.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=O'Keefe |first1=Ed |last2=Cook |first2=Sara |date=September 2, 2022 |title=Biden delivers prime-time speech on the "battle for the soul of the nation" in Philadelphia |publisher=[[CBS News]] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/biden-speech-philadelphia-democracy-watch-live-stream-today-2022-09-01/ |access-date=October 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Weisman |first=Jonathan |date=September 2, 2022 |title=Four takeaways from President Biden's speech in Philadelphia |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-aud-nw-nyt-biden-philadelphia-speech-20220902-zsfckr7n7jf4rbowcu6e2pre2i-story.html |access-date=October 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Naughtie |first=Andrew |date=September 5, 2022 |title=Jan 6 committee members back Biden remarks on Trump 'fascism' after rally guest defends neo-Nazi rioter: Joe Biden's warnings of creeping fascism on the pro-Trump right have fired up ex-president's followers and dissenters alike |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/jan-6-trump-fascism-rally-lofgren-raskin-b2159938.html |access-date=October 14, 2022}}</ref> A predicted Republican [[Wave elections in the United States|wave election]] did not materialize and the race for [[U.S. Congress]] control was much closer than expected, with Republicans securing a slim majority of [[2022 United States House of Representatives elections|222 seats in the House of Representatives]],{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Hounshell |first=Blake |date=November 9, 2022 |title=Five Takeaways From a Red Wave That Didn't Reach the Shore |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/09/us/politics/midterm-elections-takeaways.html |access-date=November 9, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Knowles |first1=Hannah |last2=Scherer |first2=Michael |date=November 9, 2022 |title=Democrats show strength, leaving fight for control of Congress unresolved |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2022/11/08/house-senate-race/ |access-date=November 9, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=McGraw |first=Meridith |date=November 9, 2022 |title=Trump's biggest midterm bets don't pay out |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/09/trump-endorsed-candidates-2022-election-results |access-date=November 9, 2022 |magazine=[[Politico]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Breuninger |first=Kevin |date=November 16, 2022 |title=Republicans take control of the House, NBC News projects |publisher=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/16/midterm-house-elections-2022-republicans-take-control-of-the-house.html |access-date=November 16, 2022}}</ref>}} and the Democratic caucus keeping control of the [[2022 United States Senate elections|U.S. Senate]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=November 8, 2022 |title=2022 Election: Live Analysis and Results |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/live-blog/2022-midterm-election/ |access-date=November 9, 2022 |website=[[FiveThirtyEight]]}}</ref>{{efn|[[Kyrsten Sinema]] and [[Joe Manchin]], whose seats were not up for election in 2022, left the Democratic Party and became [[independent politicians]] in December 2022 and May 2024, respectively. As a result, 47 Democrats (rather than 49), plus [[Angus King]] and [[Bernie Sanders]], independents who caucus with Democrats, were in the Senate of the [[118th United States Congress]], on May 31, 2024. Manchin continued to caucus with Democrats while Sinema opted to caucus with neither party but to align with the Democrats, bringing the Democratic Senate majority to 51 seats.<ref>{{USCongRec|2023|S22|January 3, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Skelley |first=Geoffrey |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Why Kyrsten Sinema Left The Democratic Party |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-kyrsten-sinema-left-the-democratic-party/ |access-date=December 11, 2022 |website=[[FiveThirtyEight]]|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606220147/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-kyrsten-sinema-left-the-democratic-party/ |archive-date=June 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Watson|first=Kathryn|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrat-joe-manchin-registers-independent/|title=Sen. Joe Manchin leaves Democratic Party, registers as an independent|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=May 31, 2024|accessdate=May 31, 2024}}</ref>}}

It was the first midterm election since [[1986 United States gubernatorial elections|1986]] in which the incumbent president's party achieved a net gain in governorships, and the first since [[1934 United States elections|1934]] in which the president's party lost no state legislative chambers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Enten |first=Harry |date=November 13, 2022 |title=How Joe Biden and the Democratic Party defied midterm history |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/13/politics/democrats-biden-midterm-elections-senate-house/index.html |access-date=November 28, 2022 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Democrats credited Biden for their unexpectedly strong performance,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first=Lauren |last=Gambino |date=November 20, 2022 |title='You did it!': Biden basks in midterms afterglow after beating expectations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/20/joe-biden-midterms-democrats-presidency |access-date=November 28, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> but they likely overperformed for other reasons, including [[Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization|the Supreme Court overturning ''Roe v. Wade'']] and poor Republican candidate quality in many races.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/11/democrats-2022-error-message/680661/|title=The Democrats' 2022 Error Message|quote=Swing-state successes in the last midterms gave the party false optimism about 2024.|first1=Ronald|last1=Brownstein| author-link=Ronald Brownstein|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=November 14, 2024|access-date=November 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Silver |first=Nate |authorlink=Nate Silver |date=November 9, 2022 |title=Candidate Quality Mattered |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/candidate-quality-mattered/ |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=[[FiveThirtyEight]]}}</ref>

=== Foreign policy === {{Main|Foreign policy of the Biden administration}}

In June 2021, Biden took his first trip abroad as president, visiting Belgium, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. He attended [[47th G7 summit|a G7 summit]], [[2021 Brussels NATO summit|a NATO summit]], and an EU summit, and held [[2021 Russia–United States summit|one-on-one talks]] with Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/bidens-first-trip-abroad-whirlwind-of-meetings-with-allies-rivals-2021-6 |title=Biden's first trip abroad will be a whirlwind of major meetings with key allies and top rivals |last=Haltiwanger |first=John |date=June 3, 2021 |work=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=June 19, 2021}}</ref>

In September 2021, Biden announced [[AUKUS]], a [[Defense pact|security pact]] between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, to ensure "peace and stability in the [[Indo-Pacific]]".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Madhani |first1=Aamer |last2=Lemire |first2=Jonathan |title=Biden announces Indo-Pacific alliance with UK, Australia |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-china-australia-united-states-1b2e597918bc1c8dd1aab26ab32c9621 |access-date=October 4, 2021 |work=[[Associated Press News]] |date=September 16, 2021 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009141945/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-china-australia-united-states-1b2e597918bc1c8dd1aab26ab32c9621 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2021, the Biden administration announced that the United States was ending its [[U.S. support for Saudi-led operations in Yemen|support for the Saudi-led bombing campaign]] in Yemen and revoked the designation of Yemen's [[Houthis]] as terrorists.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Knickmeyer |first1=Ellen |date=February 5, 2021 |title=Biden ending US support for Saudi-led offensive in Yemen |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-end-support-saudi-offenseive-yemen-b68f58493dbfc530b9fcfdb80a13098f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023211712/https://apnews.com/article/biden-end-support-saudi-offenseive-yemen-b68f58493dbfc530b9fcfdb80a13098f |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |access-date=February 5, 2021 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Knickmeyer |first1=Ellen |date=February 5, 2021 |title=Biden revokes terrorist designation for Yemen's Houthis |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-civil-wars-yemen-d17b50e3995827838a19fb8bd09e9f64|publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> In early February 2022, Biden ordered the counterterrorism raid in northern Syria that resulted in the [[Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi#Death|death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi]], the second leader of the [[Islamic State]].<ref>{{Cite press release |date=February 3, 2022|title=Statement by President Joe Biden|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/02/03/statement-by-president-joe-biden-3/|access-date=February 3, 2022|publisher=The White House|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203132343/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/02/03/statement-by-president-joe-biden-3/|url-status=live}}</ref> In late July, Biden approved the [[drone strike]] that [[Killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri|killed Ayman al-Zawahiri]], the second leader of [[Al-Qaeda]], and an integral member in the planning of the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/01/us/politics/al-qaeda-strike-afghanistan.html |title=U.S. Drone Strike Kills Ayman al-Zawahri, Top Qaeda Leader |date=August 1, 2022 |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |last2=Cooper |first2=Helene |last3=Barnes |first3=Julian |last4=Schmitt |first4=Eric |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801215209/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/01/us/politics/al-qaeda-strike-afghanistan.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[OPEC#2022 oil production cut|2022 OPEC+ oil production cut]] caused a diplomatic spat with Saudi Arabia, threatening a longstanding [[Saudi Arabia–United States relations|alliance]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/11/us/politics/biden-saudi-arabia-oil-production-cut.html | title=Biden Vows 'Consequences' for Saudi Arabia After Oil Production Cut | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | date=October 11, 2022 | last1=Baker | first1=Peter}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news| url=https://www.ft.com/content/1a5cfd12-a202-4242-b0ad-bed56f377142 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/1a5cfd12-a202-4242-b0ad-bed56f377142 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Joe Biden warns of 'consequences' for Saudi Arabia after oil production cuts | newspaper=[[Financial Times]] | date=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

In August 2024, Biden negotiated and oversaw the [[2024 Ankara prisoner exchange]], the largest [[prisoner exchange]] since the end of the [[Cold War]]. It involved the release of 26 people, including journalist [[Evan Gershkovich]] and former Marine [[Paul Whelan]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=August 1, 2024 |title=Things to know about the largest US-Russia prisoner swap in post-Soviet history |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-gershkovich-whelan-prisoner-swap-354df585ad321ecdbea4c0f2c557f0aa |access-date=August 5, 2024 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |quote=The U.S. and Russia on Thursday completed their largest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history... |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802233705/https://apnews.com/article/russia-gershkovich-whelan-prisoner-swap-354df585ad321ecdbea4c0f2c557f0aa |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2024, the Biden administration announced that it had helped broker a [[2024 Israel–Lebanon ceasefire agreement|ceasefire]] agreement in the [[Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–2024)|Israel–Hezbollah conflict]].{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref name="reuters20241127">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Gebeily |first1=Maya |last2=Taher |first2=Aziz |date=November 27, 2024 |title=Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire holds in first hours, Lebanese civilians start to return home |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-hezbollah-ceasefire-takes-effect-2024-11-27/ |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref name="apnews20241126">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Geller |first=Adam |date=November 26, 2024 |title=What to know about the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-lebanon-hezbollah-ceasefire-3ed296f8317ecaa89c4e3548c75c9602 |access-date=November 27, 2024 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref name="wsj20241127">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Rasmussen |first=Sune Engel |date=November 27, 2024 |title=The Impossible Mission to Enforce an Israel-Hezbollah Cease-Fire |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-impossible-mission-to-enforce-an-israel-hezbollah-cease-fire-9402a682 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref><ref name="cnn20241126">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Diamond |first1=Jeremy |last2=Edwards |first2=Christian |last3=Qiblawi |first3=Tamara |last4=Yosef |first4=Eugenia |date=November 26, 2024 |title=Israeli security cabinet approves Lebanon ceasefire deal, after 11th-hour strikes on central Beirut |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/26/middleeast/israel-lebanon-ceasefire-deal-approve-hezbollah-intl/index.html |access-date=November 27, 2024 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref>}}

==== Withdrawal from Afghanistan ==== {{Main|2020–2021 U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan}}

[[File:President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris meet with their national security team and senior officials.jpg|thumb|Biden in a video conference with Vice President [[Kamala Harris]] and the [[United States National Security Council|U.S. National Security team]], discussing the [[Fall of Kabul (2021)|Fall of Kabul]] on August 15, 2021|alt=Photo of Biden seated alone at a table, looking at a videoconference screen]]

American forces had begun withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2020, under the provisions of a [[United States–Taliban deal|February 2020 US-Taliban agreement]] that set a May 1, 2021, deadline.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Kiely |first1=Eugene |last2=Farley |first2=Robert |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2021/08/timeline-of-u-s-withdrawal-from-afghanistan/ |title=Timeline of U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan |work=[[FactCheck.org]] |date=August 17, 2021 |access-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817224525/https://www.factcheck.org/2021/08/timeline-of-u-s-withdrawal-from-afghanistan/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Taliban began [[2021 Taliban offensive|an offensive]] on May 1.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/16/politics/biden-afghanistan-speech/index.html|title=Biden admits Afghanistan's collapse 'did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated'|first1=Kevin|last1=Liptak|first2=Jeff|last2=Zeleny|first3=Kaitlan|last3=Collins|first4=Jennifer|last4=Hansler|first5=Maegan|last5=Vazquez|date=August 16, 2021|access-date=August 26, 2021|publisher=[[CNN]]|archive-date=August 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830160957/https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/16/politics/biden-afghanistan-speech/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Nomaan|last1=Merchant|first2=Zeke|last2=Miller|url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-evacuations-32bb6a22846f649b626a3130f8c5dffb|title=Misread warnings helped lead to chaotic Afghan evacuation|date=August 19, 2021|access-date=August 26, 2021|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|archive-date=August 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829230019/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-evacuations-32bb6a22846f649b626a3130f8c5dffb|url-status=live}}</ref> By early July, most American troops in Afghanistan had withdrawn.<ref name="images" /> Biden addressed the withdrawal in July, saying, "The likelihood there's going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely."<ref name="images" />

On August 15, [[Fall of Kabul (2021)|the Afghan government collapsed]] under the Taliban offensive, and Afghan President [[Ashraf Ghani]] fled the country.<ref name="images" /><ref name="messy">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Biden defends 'messy' US pullout from Afghanistan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58238497 |access-date=August 17, 2021 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=August 17, 2021 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023163517/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58238497 |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden reacted by ordering 6,000 American troops to assist with evacuating American personnel and Afghan allies.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Prakash |first1=Nidhi |title=Joe Biden Blamed Afghan Leaders For Giving Up As The Taliban Took Control |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/nidhiprakash/biden-afghanistan-speech-taliban-take-over |access-date=August 17, 2021 |work=[[BuzzFeed News]] |date=August 16, 2021 |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008133113/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/nidhiprakash/biden-afghanistan-speech-taliban-take-over |url-status=live}}</ref> He faced bipartisan criticism for the manner of the withdrawal,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Edmondson |first1=Catie |title=Lawmakers Unite in Bipartisan Fury Over Afghanistan Withdrawal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/16/us/politics/afghanistan-withdrawal-congress.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=March 1, 2022 |date=August 16, 2021}}</ref> with the evacuations described as chaotic and botched.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Seligman |first1=Lara |title=Top generals contradict Biden, say they urged him not to withdraw from Afghanistan |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/28/top-generals-afghanistan-withdrawal-congress-hearing-514491 |magazine=[[Politico]] |date=September 28, 2021 |access-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929165155/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/28/top-generals-afghanistan-withdrawal-congress-hearing-514491 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Melanie |last1=Zanona |first2=Lauren |last2=Fox |title=House Republicans vow to probe Biden's Afghanistan exit if they win in 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/20/politics/house-republicans-afghanistan-biden-benghazi/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=August 20, 2021 |access-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-date=August 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822125620/https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/20/politics/house-republicans-afghanistan-biden-benghazi/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Christopher |last1=Cadelago |first2=Natasha |last2=Korecki |first3=Laura |last3=Barrón-López |title=Biden scrambles to tamp down panic over Afghanistan |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/18/biden-afghanistan-withdrawal-506065 |magazine=[[Politico]] |date=August 18, 2021 |access-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126220827/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/18/biden-afghanistan-withdrawal-506065 |url-status=live}}</ref> On August 16, Biden addressed the "messy" situation, taking responsibility for it, and admitting that the situation "unfolded more quickly than we had anticipated".<ref name="messy" /><ref name="buck1">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Watson |first1=Kathryn |title=Biden says 'buck stops with me' and defends Afghanistan withdrawal |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-afghanistan-taliban-watch-live-stream-today-2021-08-16/ |access-date=August 17, 2021 |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=August 16, 2021 |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817054019/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-afghanistan-taliban-watch-live-stream-today-2021-08-16/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He defended his decision to withdraw, saying that Americans should not be "dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves".<ref name="buck1" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Blake |first1=Aaron |title=Biden says the 'buck stops with me' — while pinning blame on Trump and many Afghans |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/16/biden-says-buck-stops-with-me-while-pinning-blame-trump-lots-afghans/ |access-date=August 17, 2021 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 16, 2021 |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817153113/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/16/biden-says-buck-stops-with-me-while-pinning-blame-trump-lots-afghans/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 26, a [[2021 Kabul airport attack|suicide bombing at the Kabul airport]] killed 13 U.S. service members and 169 Afghans. On August 27, an American drone strike killed two ISIS-K targets, who were "planners and facilitators", according to a U.S. Army general.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Michael|last1=Collins|first2=Tom Vanden|last2=Brook|first3=Deirdre|last3=Shesgreen|title=Biden said US would 'hunt' down Kabul airport attackers. A day later, a drone strike killed two ISIS-K targets|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/08/28/kabul-bombing-u-s-issues-drone-strike-against-isis-k-planner/5628326001/|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=August 28, 2021|access-date=August 29, 2021|archive-date=August 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830163452/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/08/28/kabul-bombing-u-s-issues-drone-strike-against-isis-k-planner/5628326001/|url-status=live}}</ref> The U.S. military completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 30. Biden called the extraction of over 120,000 Americans, Afghans, and other allies "an extraordinary success".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Madhani |first1=Aamer |last2=Freking |first2=Kevin |title=Biden defends departure from 'forever war,' praises airlift |url=https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-dd43bcc58bd17668b1cf4ae79997142b |access-date=September 5, 2021 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |date=September 1, 2021 |archive-date=September 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908160545/https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-dd43bcc58bd17668b1cf4ae79997142b |url-status=live}}</ref> He acknowledged that up to 200 Americans who wanted to leave did not, despite his August 18 pledge to keep troops in Afghanistan until all Americans who wanted to leave had left.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Gore |first1=D'Angelo |last2=Farley |first2=Robert |last3=Robertson |first3=Lori |title=How Many Americans and Allies Are Left in Afghanistan? |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2021/09/how-many-americans-and-allies-are-left-in-afghanistan/ |access-date=September 5, 2021 |website=[[Factcheck.org]] |date=September 2, 2021 |archive-date=September 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908104952/https://www.factcheck.org/2021/09/how-many-americans-and-allies-are-left-in-afghanistan/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

After the withdrawal, the U.S. continued to send aid to Afghanistan, remaining its biggest aid donor as of August 2024 and spending at least $20.7 billion post-withdrawal. U.S. funding has helped support the Taliban government and stabilize Afghanistan's economy.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=US aid is still vital to Afghanistan |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/08/28/us-aid-is-still-vital-to-afghanistan_6722732_4.html|work=Le Monde |date=August 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=US aid vetting failures may have benefited militants in Afghanistan, watchdog finds |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-aid-vetting-failures-may-have-benefited-militants-afghanistan-watchdog-finds-2024-07-17/l|publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=July 17, 2024}}</ref> On September 25, 2024, the [[United States House of Representatives]] passed a resolution condemning the Biden administration for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, with ten Democrats and all Republicans voting in favor.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Groves |first1=Stephen |title=House approves GOP resolution condemning Biden and Harris over Afghanistan withdrawal |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-harris-afghanistan-house-republicans-794de9e0a7685dbf7d9f2175728f4d51 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=January 18, 2025 |date=September 25, 2024}}</ref>

====2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine==== {{Further|2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|United States and the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

In February 2022, the [[Russian Armed Forces]] under President [[Vladimir Putin]] launched [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|an invasion of Ukraine]]. After warning for several weeks that an attack was imminent, Biden responded by imposing severe [[International sanctions during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|sanctions on Russia]] and authorizing over $8 billion in [[List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|weapons shipments to Ukraine]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Shear |first1=Michael D. |authorlink1=Michael D. Shear |last2=Kanno-Youngs |first2=Zolan |last3=Rogers |first3=Katie |date=February 28, 2022 |title=10 Consequential Days: How Biden Navigated War, Covid and the Supreme Court |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/27/us/politics/biden-ukraine-covid-supreme-court.html |access-date=March 17, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321104514/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/27/us/politics/biden-ukraine-covid-supreme-court.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Parker |first1=Ashley |last2=Harris |first2=Shane |last3=Birnbaum |first3=Michael |last4=Hudson |first4=John |date=February 25, 2022 |title=13 days: Inside Biden's last-ditch attempts to stop Putin in Ukraine |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/25/inside-biden-putin-ukraine/ |access-date=March 16, 2022 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226045105/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/25/inside-biden-putin-ukraine/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Mason |first1=Jeff |last2=Bose |first2=Nandita |date=March 16, 2022 |title=Biden calls Putin a 'war criminal,' sending more weapons to Ukraine |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-announce-new-security-assistance-ukraine-after-signing-massive-spending-2022-03-16/ |access-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319080135/https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-announce-new-security-assistance-ukraine-after-signing-massive-spending-2022-03-16/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On April 29, he asked Congress for $33 billion for Ukraine,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=War in Ukraine: U.S. dramatically upgrades its aid package to Kyiv |first=Piotr |last=Smolar |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/04/29/war-in-ukraine-u-s-dramatically-upgrades-its-aid-package-to-kyiv_5981990_4.html |newspaper=[[Le Monde]] |date=April 29, 2022 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510001810/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/04/29/war-in-ukraine-u-s-dramatically-upgrades-its-aid-package-to-kyiv_5981990_4.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=April 29, 2022 |title=Biden seeks $33B for Ukraine, signaling long-term commitment |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-economy-5656f58ae48cb3cf37da0d0c431a15b8 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |first1=Alan |last1=Fram |first2=Zeke |last2=Miller |first3=Aamer |last3=Madhani}}</ref> but lawmakers later increased it to about $40 billion.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=House approves $40B in Ukraine aid, beefing up Biden request |first=Alan |last=Fram |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-europe-0ac5c758d32dbea64c437b50e829bbb2 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |date=May 11, 2022 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511000720/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-europe-0ac5c758d32dbea64c437b50e829bbb2 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Sonmez |first1=Felicia |last2=Jeong |first2=Andrew |date=May 10, 2022 |title=House approves nearly $40 billion in aid to Ukraine as it fights off Russian aggression |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/05/10/house-poised-approve-additional-40-billion-aid-ukraine/ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Zengerle |first=Patricia |date=May 19, 2022 |title=After delay, U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approves $40 billion in Ukraine aid |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/after-delay-congress-sends-40-billion-ukraine-aid-package-biden-2022-05-19/ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Biden blamed Putin for the emerging [[2021–present global energy crisis|energy]] and [[2022 food crises|food crises]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Biden blames 'Putin's invasion of Ukraine' for rising gas, food prices globally |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/biden-blames-putin-s-invasion-of-ukraine-for-rising-gas-food-prices-globally-101648873914167.html |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=April 2, 2022 |first=Shubhangi |last=Gupta|access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516164119/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/biden-blames-putin-s-invasion-of-ukraine-for-rising-gas-food-prices-globally-101648873914167.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine war: Hungry Africans are victims of the conflict, Macky Sall tells Vladimir Putin |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61685383 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=June 3, 2022 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-date=June 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611165237/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61685383 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Holland |first1=Steve |last2=Nichols |first2=Michelle |date=September 21, 2022 |title=Biden accuses Putin of irresponsible nuclear threats, violating U.N. charter |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-announce-29-bln-food-security-funding-during-un-speech-white-house-2022-09-21/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2024 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511024035/https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-announce-29-bln-food-security-funding-during-un-speech-white-house-2022-09-21/ |archive-date=May 11, 2024}}</ref>

In 2022, Congress approved about $113 billion in aid to Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=$113 billion: Where the US investment in Ukraine aid has gone |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/21/politics/war-funding-ukraine-what-matters/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=September 21, 2023 |first=Zachary B. |last=Wolf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505224731/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/21/politics/war-funding-ukraine-what-matters/index.html |url-status=live |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=August 13, 2024 }}</ref> In October 2023, the Biden administration requested an additional $61.4 billion in aid for Ukraine for the year ahead,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=The White House is asking for almost $106 billion for Israel, Ukraine and the border |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/20/1206301577/biden-ukraine-israel-congress-funding-request |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=October 26, 2023 |first=Deepa |last=Shivaram |access-date=August 13, 2024 }}</ref> but delays in the passage of further aid by the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] inhibited progress, with the additional $61 billion in aid to Ukraine added in April 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Zengerle |first1=Patricia |last2=Cowan |first2=Richard |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/long-awaited-aid-ukraine-israel-taiwan-poised-pass-us-congress-2024-04-23/ |title=US Congress passes Ukraine aid after months of delay |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Williams |first1=Michael |last2=Saenz |first2=Arlette |last3=Liptak |first3=Kevin |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/24/politics/biden-signs-foreign-aid-bill/index.html |title=Biden signs foreign aid bill providing crucial military assistance to Ukraine |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Myre |first=Greg |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/04/24/1246839045/biden-signs-95-billion-military-aid-package-for-ukraine-israel-and-taiwan |title=Biden signs $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> Actually delivered aid often differed from announced levels and was also often delayed. The [[Government Accountability Office]] and [[Department of Defense Office of Inspector General|Pentagon Inspector General]] found that the Biden administration seemed unaware of the pace of weapons deliveries.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.reuters.com/investigations/biden-administration-beset-by-doubts-slowed-ukraine-weapons-shipments-until-2025-02-03/|title=Biden administration slowed Ukraine arms shipments until his term was nearly done |publisher=[[Reuters]]|date=February 3, 2025|access-date=March 1, 2025}}</ref>

Throughout the conflict, Biden consistently refused Ukrainian requests to allow them to utilize weapons against Russian military targets inside [[Russia]]. An exception was granted in May 2024 for targets in the vicinity of [[Kharkiv]] for "counter-fire" purposes.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Holland |first1=Steve |last2=Pamuk |first2=Humeyra |last3=Stewart |first3=Phil |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-allows-ukraine-use-us-supplied-arms-strike-inside-russia-near-kharkiv-area-2024-05-30/ |title=Biden allows Ukraine limited use of US arms to strike inside Russia, say US officials |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=May 30, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bushard |first=Brian |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2024/05/30/biden-will-let-ukraine-strike-inside-russia-with-us-weapons-in-major-policy-reversal-but-only-in-one-region/?sh=1e654e4e3471 |title=Biden Will Let Ukraine Strike Inside Russia With U.S. Weapons—But Only In One Region |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=May 30, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy770l9llnzo |title=Biden allows Ukraine to hit some targets in Russia with US weapons |agency=[[BBC News]] |date=May 30, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/4767636-biden-ukraine-weapons-restrictions/ |title=Biden maintains limit on Ukrainian strikes despite Zelensky's push |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=July 11, 2024}}</ref>}} Biden also blocked access for some weapons systems altogether, typically citing fears of escalation, only to permit deliveries for some weapons later on.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/10/12/biden-ukraine-support-putin-armageddon/ |title=Biden's Soft Underbelly on Ukraine |magazine=[[Foreign Policy]] |date=October 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/17/us/politics/ukraine-biden-weapons.html |title=Ukraine Wants the U.S. to Send More Powerful Weapons. Biden Is Not So Sure. |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Elliot |last=Ackerman |url=https://time.com/6548816/ukraine-biden-administration-military-aid/ |title=The Biden Administration's Slow Yes Has Doomed Ukraine |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=December 18, 2023 |access-date=February 4, 2025 |archive-date=February 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250203070530/https://time.com/6548816/ukraine-biden-administration-military-aid/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Edward Hunter |last=Christie | url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/09/11/ukraine-russia-war-biden-us-escalation-management-military-aid/ |title=Biden's 'Escalation Management' in Ukraine Makes the West Less Safe |magazine=[[Foreign Policy]] |date=September 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first=Matthew |last=Kaminski |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/09/18/america-ukraine-russia-biden-00179657 |title=Does America Want Ukraine to Defeat Russia? It Doesn't Look That Way. |website=[[Politico]] |date=September 18, 2024}}</ref>}}

==== China affairs ==== {{Further|China–United States relations#Biden administration (2021–2025)}}

The [[China–Solomon Islands relations|Solomon Islands-China security pact]] caused alarm in late 2022, as China could build military bases across the South Pacific. Biden sought to strengthen ties with Australia and New Zealand in the wake of the deal.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Ralph |last=Jennings |title=US Beefs Up South Pacific Aid, Diplomacy as China Spreads Its Influence |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-beefs-up-south-pacific-aid-diplomacy-as-china-spreads-its-influence-/6658148.html |date=July 13, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |publisher=[[Voice of America]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=May 24, 2022 |title=In meeting with Biden, Australia's Albanese recalls colourful first trip to U.S. |publisher=[[Reuters]] |first=Kirsty |last=Needham |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/meeting-with-biden-australias-albanese-recalls-colourful-first-trip-us-2022-05-24/ |access-date=July 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=What the China-Solomon Islands Pact Means for the U.S. and South Pacific |url=https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/china-solomon-islands-security-pact-us-south-pacific |date=May 4, 2022 |first=Zongyuan Zoe |last=Liu |access-date=July 18, 2022 |publisher=[[Council on Foreign Relations]]}}</ref> In a September 2022 interview with ''[[60 Minutes]]'', Biden said that U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of "an unprecedented attack" by the Chinese,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=John |first1=Ruwitch |title=Biden, again, says U.S. would help Taiwan if China attacks |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/09/19/1123759127/biden-again-says-u-s-would-help-taiwan-if-china-attacks |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=September 19, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2023}}</ref> which is in contrast to the long-standing U.S. policy of "[[strategic ambiguity]]" toward China and Taiwan.<ref name="Kine">{{cite magazine |last1=Kine |first1=Phelim |title=Biden leaves no doubt: 'Strategic ambiguity' toward Taiwan is dead |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/19/biden-leaves-no-doubt-strategic-ambiguity-toward-taiwan-is-dead-00057658 |magazine=[[Politico]] |date=September 19, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=A bristling China says Biden remarks on Taiwan 'severely violate' U.S. policy |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-biden-taiwan-remarks-angry-reaction/ |agency=[[CBS News]] |date=September 19, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Biden's most hawkish comments on Taiwan yet |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/09/19/biden-taiwan-china-defense/ |date=September 19, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=January 28, 2023 |first=Aaron |last=Blake}}</ref> The September comments came after three previous comments by Biden that the U.S. would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.<ref name="theories">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Taylor |first1=Adam |title=Three theories on Biden's repeated Taiwan gaffes |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/24/taiwan-biden-gaffe/ |date=May 24, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=January 29, 2023}}</ref> Amid increasing tension with China, Biden's administration has repeatedly walked back his statements and asserted that U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed.<ref name=theories/><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Joe Biden Keeps Being More Hawkish on Taiwan Than His Administration Wants to Be |first=Eric |last=Lutz |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/09/joe-biden-says-us-will-defend-taiwan-if-china-attacks |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date=January 29, 2023 |date=September 19, 2022}}</ref><ref name=Kine/> In late 2022, Biden issued several executive orders and federal rules designed to slow Chinese technological growth, and maintain U.S. leadership over computing, biotech, and clean energy.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bade |first=Gavin |title='A sea change': Biden reverses decades of Chinese trade policy |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/26/china-trade-tech-00072232 |access-date=December 30, 2022 |magazine=[[Politico]] |date=December 26, 2022}}</ref>

On February 4, 2023, Biden ordered the United States Air Force to shoot down a [[2023 Chinese balloon incident|suspected Chinese surveillance balloon]] off the coast of [[South Carolina]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Baldor |first1=Lolita C. |last2=Copp |first2=Tara |title=China balloon: Many questions about suspected spy in the sky |url=https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-antony-blinken-china-b1b03193b7abeb7bbeca169bbc7c2c53 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |date=February 4, 2023 |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209010911/https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-antony-blinken-china-b1b03193b7abeb7bbeca169bbc7c2c53 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3288543/f-22-safely-shoots-down-chinese-spy-balloon-off-south-carolina-coast/ |title=F-22 Safely Shoots Down Chinese Spy Balloon Off South Carolina Coast |last=Garamone |first=Jim |date=February 4, 2023 |publisher=[[United States Department of Defense]] |access-date=February 12, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211012305/https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3288543/f-22-safely-shoots-down-chinese-spy-balloon-off-south-carolina-coast/ |archive-date=February 11, 2023 |quote=A U.S. Air Force fighter safely shot down a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a written statement.}}</ref> The [[Chinese government]] denied that the balloon was a surveillance device, instead claiming it was a civilian [[airship]] that had blown off course.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Lee |first=Matthew |date=February 4, 2023 |title=Chinese balloon soars across US; Blinken scraps Beijing trip |url=https://apnews.com/article/politics-antony-blinken-china-314302278a5f05bdc2df146ed5b35ec6 |url-status=live |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205001417/https://apnews.com/article/politics-antony-blinken-china-314302278a5f05bdc2df146ed5b35ec6 |archive-date=February 5, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Swire |first=Sonnet |date=February 4, 2023 |title=What to know about the suspected Chinese spy balloon |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/04/politics/chinese-spy-balloon-us-latest/index.html |access-date=May 16, 2024 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Secretary of State [[Antony Blinken]] postponed his planned visit to China as the incident further damaged U.S.-China relations.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Pamuk |first1=Humeyra |last2=Ali |first2=Idrees |last3=Martina |first3=Michael |last4=Ali |first4=Idrees |date=February 4, 2023 |access-date=September 30, 2023 |title=Blinken postpones China trip over 'unacceptable' Chinese spy balloon |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china-expresses-regret-that-civilian-airship-strays-over-us-2023-02-03/}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Cadell |first1=Cate |last2=Hudson |first2=John |last3=Abutaleb |first3=Yasmeen |title=Blinken postpones China trip as suspected spy balloon detected over U.S. |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/02/03/blinken-postpones-china-trip-suspected-spy-balloon-detected-over-us/ |date=February 3, 2023 |url-access=limited |access-date=February 5, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Hansler |first1=Jennifer |last2=Liptak |first2=Kevin |last3=Herb |first3=Jeremy |last4=Atwood |first4=Kylie |last5=Sciutto |first5=Kylie |last6=Liebermann |first6=Oren |date=February 3, 2023 |title=Blinken postpones trip to Beijing after Chinese spy balloon spotted over US, officials say |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/03/politics/china-us-balloon-intl/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204022758/https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/03/politics/china-us-balloon-intl/index.html |archive-date=February 4, 2023}}</ref> In May 2024, the Biden administration doubled [[tariff]]s on [[solar cell]]s imported from China and more than tripled tariffs on [[Lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries]] imported from China.<ref name="erwgs">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Boak |first1=Josh |last2=Hussein |first2=Fatima |last3=Wiseman |first3=Paul |last4=Tang |first4=Didi |date=May 14, 2024 |title=Biden hikes tariffs on Chinese EVs, solar cells, steel, aluminum — and snipes at Trump |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-china-tariffs-electric-vehicles-evs-solar-2024ba735c47e04a50898a88425c5e2c |access-date=May 16, 2024 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> It also raised tariffs on imports of Chinese steel, aluminum, and medical materials.<ref name="erwgs"/>

In April 2024, Biden signed the [[Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act]], which would ban [[social networking service]]s if they are determined by the president and relevant provisions to be a "foreign adversary controlled application". The act explicitly applies to [[ByteDance|ByteDance Ltd.]] and its subsidiaries, which are based in China. It ceases to be applicable if the application is [[divestment|divested]] and no longer considered to be controlled by a [[United States foreign adversaries#Other meanings|foreign adversary of the United States]]. Biden had signed the [[No TikTok on Government Devices Act]] in December 2022, prohibiting the use of TikTok on devices owned by the federal government.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Lawler |first=Richard |date=January 19, 2025 |title=TikTok is down in the US |url=https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/18/24346961/tiktok-shut-down-banned-in-the-us |access-date=January 19, 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Megan |last1=Lebowitz |first2=Ben |last2=Goggin |first3=Kat |last3=Tenbarge |date=January 19, 2025 |title=TikTok makes app unavailable for U.S. users ahead of ban |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/tiktok-makes-app-unavailable-us-users-ahead-ban-rcna188294 |access-date=January 19, 2025 |publisher=[[NBC News]] }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Yvette |last1=Tan |first2=Fan |last2=Wang |title=RedNote: Americans and Chinese share jokes on 'alternative TikTok' as US ban looms |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c983lr756xwo |date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=January 19, 2025 |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

====Gaza war==== {{Further|United States support for Israel in the Gaza war}}

In October 2023, Hamas [[October 7 attacks|launched a surprise attack on Israel]] that [[Gaza war|devolved into an intensified conflict]], jeopardizing the administration's push to normalize relations [[Israel–Saudi Arabia relations|between Israel and Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Wong |first1=Edward |last2=Mazzetti |first2=Mark |last3=Nereim |first3=Vivian |date=October 9, 2023 |title=U.S. Continues Push for Saudi-Israel Ties Even as War With Hamas Begins |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/08/us/politics/saudi-arabia-israel-palestinians-hamas.html |access-date=October 31, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Biden stated [[United States support for Israel in the Gaza war|his unequivocal support for Israel]] and condemned the attack by Hamas, but discouraged Israel from initiating a ground invasion of Gaza.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Baker |first=Peter |date=October 10, 2023 |title=In Unforgiving Terms, Biden Condemns 'Evil' and 'Abhorrent' Attack on Israel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/us/politics/biden-israel-hamas.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012001950/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/us/politics/biden-israel-hamas.html |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |access-date=October 12, 2023 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="WarWoodward"/> Upon Israel's retaliation against Hamas, Biden deployed aircraft carriers in the region to deter others from joining the war,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Collinson |first=Stephen |date=October 18, 2023 |title=What Biden did and didn't achieve during his trip to Israel |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/18/politics/middle-east-conflict-biden-israel/index.html |access-date=October 31, 2023 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> and called for an additional $14 billion in military aid to Israel.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Demirjian |first=Karoun |date=October 20, 2023 |title=Details of Biden's $105 Billion Funding Request for Israel and Ukraine |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/20/us/politics/bidens-funds-israel-ukraine.html |access-date=October 31, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He later began pressuring Israel to address the growing [[2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip|humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Shear |first1=Michael D. |authorlink1=Michael D. Shear |last2=Sanger |first2=David E. |last3=Wong |first3=Edward |date=October 30, 2023 |title=Biden's Support for Israel Now Comes With Words of Caution |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/30/us/politics/biden-israel.html |access-date=October 31, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Biden rejected calls for a ceasefire but said he supported "humanitarian pauses" to deliver aid to the [[Gaza Strip]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Bendery |first1=Jennifer |title=Joe Biden On The Chances Of A Gaza Cease-Fire: 'None. No Possibility.' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-biden-gaza-cease-fire-no-possibility_n_654d0b36e4b088d9a74da287 |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=November 9, 2023}}</ref> He asked Israel to pause its invasion of Gaza for at least three days to allow for hostage negotiations; Israel agreed to daily four-hour pauses.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=November 9, 2023 |title=Israel agrees to 4-hour daily pauses in Gaza fighting to allow civilians to flee, White House says |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-humanitarian-pauses-b8fc613ffd8b9351c0dc37b90b6e10dd |access-date=November 13, 2023 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |first1=Aamer |last1=Madhani |first2=Zeke |last2=Miller |first3=Ellen |last3=Knickmeyer}}</ref> He also directed the U.S. military to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=March 7, 2024 |title=Biden Ordering US Military to Build Port in Gaza to Facilitate Aid |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/biden-orders-us-military-to-build-port-in-gaza-to-facilitate-aid/7518026.html |access-date=April 29, 2024 |publisher=[[Voice of America]] |first=Patsy |last=Widakuswara}}</ref> Biden has said he is a [[Zionist]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Spetalnick |first1=Matt |last2=Mason |first2=Jeff |last3=Holland |first3=Steve |last4=Zengerle |first4=Patricia |date=October 23, 2023 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |title='I am a Zionist': How Joe Biden's lifelong bond with Israel shapes war policy |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/i-am-zionist-how-joe-bidens-lifelong-bond-with-israel-shapes-war-policy-2023-10-21/ |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=December 12, 2023 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |title='I am a Zionist,' says Biden at Hanukkah event, promises continued military assistance to Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/biden-were-there-no-israel-there-wouldnt-be-a-jew-in-the-world-who-is-safe/ |newspaper=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> He has faced criticism for his unwavering support for Israel. Officials have urged him to take a harder stance against Israel, criticizing his administration's leniency and support despite the Israeli government's contentious offensive, which has led to significant civilian casualties and [[Gaza humanitarian crisis (2023–present)|humanitarian crises]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=April 10, 2024 |title=Biden pressure on Israel not enough, say dissenting US officials |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68773400 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |first=Tom |last=Bateman |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Biden: What's happening in Gaza 'is not genocide' |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/20/biden-gaza-not-genocide-israel-00159020 |newspaper=[[Politico]] |first1=Elena |last1=Schneider |first2=Jennifer |last2=Haberkorn |first3=Eli |last3=Stokols |date=May 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Dozens of former U.S. officials urge Biden to take harder line with Israel |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/dozens-former-us-officials-urge-biden-take-harder-line-with-israel-2024-03-20/ |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=March 21, 2024}}</ref>

Following the [[flour massacre|killing of Palestinian civilians receiving food aid]] on February 29, 2024, Biden said the current level of aid flowing into Gaza was insufficient.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Ewing |first=Giselle Ruhiyyih |date=March 2, 2024 |title=Gaza airdrop has begun, Biden says, but more needed |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/02/gaza-aid-airdrop-biden-00144563 |access-date=March 7, 2024 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref> On March 3, the U.S. military began airdropping food aid into Gaza.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=March 2, 2024 |title=US military aircraft airdrop thousands of meals into Gaza in emergency humanitarian aid operation |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-airdrop-humanitarian-assistance-f8bc071193f89906abf21478bc70a084 |access-date=March 7, 2024 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |first1=Tara |last1=Copp |first2=Seung |last2=Min Kim}}</ref> Several experts called the U.S. airdrops performative and said they would do little to alleviate the [[Gaza Strip famine|famine in Gaza]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Airdropping aid is inefficient — so why is the U.S. doing it in Gaza anyway? |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/06/1236019060/gaza-israel-airdrop-aid-humanitarian-united-states |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=March 6, 2024 |first1=Ari |last1=Shapiro |first2=Linah |last2=Mohammad |first3=Elena |last3=Burnett}}</ref>

Biden continued to support Israel during the course of the war despite significant domestic opposition to American involvement in it and subsequent widespread [[Gaza war protests in the United States|protests]]. A March 2024 Gallup poll found that a strong majority of Americans disapproved of Israeli conduct during the war.<ref name="Gallup Inc.">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Jones |first=Jeffrey |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Majority in U.S. Now Disapprove of Israeli Action in Gaza |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/642695/majority-disapprove-israeli-action-gaza.aspx |access-date=April 3, 2024 |publisher=[[Gallup Inc.]]}}</ref> Beginning in April 2024, widespread [[List of pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in the United States in 2024|Gaza war protests emerged on university campuses]], denouncing Biden.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Astor |first=Maggie |date=April 30, 2024 |title=College Democrats Back Protests and Criticize Biden's Israel Policy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/us/politics/biden-israel-college-protest.html |access-date=May 1, 2024 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On May 31, 2024, Biden announced his support for an Israeli [[January 2025 Gaza war ceasefire|ceasefire]] proposal, saying that Hamas was "no longer capable" of another large-scale attack.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web |last1=Berg |first1=Matt |last2=Ward |first2=Alexander | url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/31/hamas-no-longer-poses-major-threat-to-israel-biden-says-00161053 | title=Hamas no longer poses major threat to Israel, Biden says | website=[[Politico]] | date=May 31, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web |last=Khalid |first=Asma |title=President Biden unveils and endorses details of a new Israeli cease-fire proposal |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/05/31/g-s1-2320/biden-israel-hamas-ceasefire-proposal |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=May 31, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web |last=Singh |first=Kanishka |title=What's in the new Israel ceasefire proposal Biden announced? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/whats-new-israel-ceasefire-proposal-biden-announced-2024-05-31/ |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=May 31, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> The proposal, which was intended to establish a permanent ceasefire, bring about the release of all hostages, and lead to the reconstruction of the [[Gaza Strip]], was supported by Hamas officials after mediation by [[Egypt]] and [[Qatar]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web |last=Magid |first=Jacob |title='Time for this war to end': Biden tells Hamas to accept Israel's hostage-ceasefire offer |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/time-for-this-war-to-end-biden-tells-hamas-to-accept-israels-hostage-ceasefire-offer/ |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |date=June 1, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web |last1=Holland |first1=Steve |last2=Mackenzie |first2=James |title=Biden details Gaza truce proposal, Hamas responds positively |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/biden-unveils-new-gaza-truce-proposal-hamas-responds-positively-2024-05-31/ |publisher=Reuters |date=June 1, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> The Netanyahu administration responded that Israel's goals regarding "the destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities" had not changed and that conditions would need to be met before it would agree to a ceasefire.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Brown |first1=Benjamin |last2=Tanno |first2=Sophie | url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/01/europe/netenyahu-ceasefire-hamas-contradiction-biden-intl/index.html | title=Netanyahu says no Gaza ceasefire until Israel's war aims are achieved, raising questions over Biden peace proposal | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=June 1, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Berman |first=Lazar | url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israeli-official-says-under-ceasefire-proposal-israel-can-renew-fighting-at-any-time-should-hamas-violate-terms/ | title=Israeli official to ToI: Under proposal, Israel can achieve all war goals before permanent ceasefire takes effect | newspaper=[[The Times of Israel]] | date=June 1, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Madhani |first1=Aamer |last2=Megerian |first2=Chris |last3=Superville |first3=Darlene | url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-hamas-58169a607d4a7c4d7fc34f43160076b8/ | title=Biden details a 3-phase hostage deal aimed at winding down the Israel-Hamas war | publisher=[[Associated Press]] | date=May 31, 2023 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> In the first year of the war, it was estimated that the Biden administration had sent Israel at least $17.9 billion in military aid, a record.<ref name="knickmeyer">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Knickmeyer |first1=Ellen |title=US spends a record $17.9 billion on military aid to Israel since last Oct. 7 |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-us-military-spending-8e6e5033f7a1334bf6e35f86e7040e14 |access-date=November 10, 2024 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |date=October 7, 2024}}</ref> In about the same period, it sent Palestinians $1.2 billion in humanitarian aid.<ref name="ching-voa">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Ching |first1=Nike |title=Blinken announces $135M in additional US aid for Palestinians |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/blinken-announces-135-million-in-additional-us-aid-for-palestinians/7837681.html |access-date=December 10, 2024 |agency=[[Voice of America]] |date=October 24, 2024}}</ref> Biden was reported by journalist [[Bob Woodward]] to have clashed throughout the war with Netanyahu over his war strategy and lack of a postwar plan for Gaza.<ref name="WarWoodward">{{#invoke:cite|book|last=Woodward |first=Bob |author-link=Bob Woodward |title=War |title-link=War (Woodward book) |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |year=2024 |isbn=978-1-6680-5227-3 |location=New York |chapter=Sixty-six}}</ref> In the last week of Biden's presidency, Qatari officials announced that Hamas had accepted the ceasefire deal; Biden hailed the deal.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/15/statement-from-president-joe-biden-14/|title=Statement From President Biden: January 15, 2025|access-date=January 15, 2025|publisher=The White House|date=January 15, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/15/israel-hamas-ceasefire-hostage-deal-agreed-to-in-principle.html|title=Israel and Hamas agree to Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal |access-date=January 15, 2025 |agency=CNBC |date=January 15, 2025}}</ref>

====NATO enlargement==== Following the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Biden expressed support for expanding [[NATO]] to cover [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Holland |first1=Steve |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/biden-discuss-nato-bid-with-swedens-kristersson-2023-07-05/ | title=Biden shows support for Sweden's NATO bid in talks with PM | publisher=[[Reuters]] | date=July 5, 2023 |access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Holland |first1=Steve |last2=Mason |first2=Jeff | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-meet-leaders-finland-sweden-nato-expansion-2022-05-19/ | title=Biden cheers Finland, Sweden NATO plans as Turkey balks | publisher=[[Reuters]] | date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> On August 9, 2022, he signed the instruments of ratification stipulating U.S. support for the two countries' entry into NATO.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Mason |first1=Jeff |last2=Zengerle |first2=Patricia | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-sign-documents-backing-sweden-finland-nato-2022-08-09/ | title=Biden signs documents of U.S. support for Sweden, Finland to join NATO | publisher=[[Reuters]] | date=August 9, 2022 |access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=August 9, 2022 |title=Biden formalizes US support for Finland, Sweden joining NATO |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-nato-biden-finland-6a04422190bdd7e75440f7e176a88109 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press |first=Zeke |last=Miller}}</ref> [[Finland–NATO relations|Finnish ascension]] occurred on April 4, 2023, but opposition by [[Turkey]] and [[Hungary]] to [[Sweden–NATO relations|Swedish entry]] led to a stalemate.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=John |first=Tara |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/04/europe/finland-joins-nato-intl/index.html | title=Finland joins NATO, doubling military alliance's border with Russia in a blow for Putin | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=April 4, 2023 |access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> Biden led diplomatic talks resulting in formal Swedish ascension into NATO on March 7, 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Pettypiece |first1=Shannon |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-meets-heads-finland-sweden-show-support-nato-membership-rcna29621 | title=Biden meets with heads of Finland, Sweden in show of support for NATO membership | publisher=[[NBC News]] | date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Min Kim |first1=Seung |last2=Megerian |first2=Chris |last3=Tanner |first3=Jari | url=https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-white-house-nato-finland-716380d2299ccbfcfd73745a8327119a | title=Biden proclaims NATO alliance 'more united than ever' in contrast to predecessor Trump | publisher=[[Associated Press]] | date=July 12, 2023 |access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> He has also expressed openness to [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] entry into NATO following the end of the conflict,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Martinez |first1=A |last2=Khalid |first2=Asma | url=https://www.npr.org/2023/07/10/1186712386/biden-is-in-europe-to-focus-on-u-s-alliances-and-nato-expansion | title=Biden is in Europe to focus on U.S. alliances and NATO expansion | publisher=[[NPR]] | date=July 10, 2023 |access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> supporting an expedited timetable in its ascension and the removal of steps such as the [[Enlargement of NATO#Membership Action Plan|Membership Action Plan]] typically required for NATO entry.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Klein |first=Betsy | url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/12/politics/joe-biden-nato-summit-day-2/index.html | title=Assurances that Ukraine's future is in NATO and new security guarantees calm worries at final day of summit | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=July 12, 2023 |access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Liptak |first1=Kevin |last2=Hansler |first2=Jennifer |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/14/politics/ukraine-nato-joe-biden/index.html | title=Biden holding firm on Ukraine joining NATO | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref>

=== Investigations === ====Retention of classified documents==== {{Main|Joe Biden classified documents incident}}

In November 2022, Biden's attorneys found classified documents dating from his vice presidency in a "locked closet" at the [[Penn Biden Center]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last5=Collins |first1=Phil |last1=Mattingly |first2=Evan |last2=Perez |first3=Maegan |last3=Vazquez |first4=Kevin |last4=Liptak |first5=Kaitlan |date=January 11, 2023 |title=Biden's legal team found another batch of classified documents in search of second location |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/11/politics/biden-classified-documents/index.html |access-date=January 12, 2023 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name="nytbatch1">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Baker |first1=Peter |last2=Savage |first2=Charlie |last3=Thrush |first3=Glenn |last4=Goldman |first4=Adam |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Biden Lawyers Found Classified Material at His Former Office |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/09/us/politics/biden-classified-documents.html |access-date=January 12, 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> According to the White House, the documents were reported to the [[U.S. National Archives]], which recovered them the next day.<ref name="nytbatch1" /> On November 14, Attorney General [[Merrick Garland]] appointed [[John R. Lausch Jr.]] to conduct an investigation.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/us/politics/biden-documents-timeline.html|title=Timeline of the Biden Documents Case: What We Know So Far|last=Shpigel|first=Ben|date=January 12, 2023|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=January 14, 2023|archive-date=January 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114124700/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/us/politics/biden-documents-timeline.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Chowdhury |first1=Maureen |last2=Hammond |first2=Elise |last3=Meyer |first3=Matt |last4=Sangal |first4=Aditi |date=January 12, 2023 |title=Garland lays out timeline of investigation into Biden classified documents so far |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/garland-attorney-general-statement-01-12-23/h_d0728a48029a6407e468b05806963497 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113030157/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/garland-attorney-general-statement-01-12-23/h_d0728a48029a6407e468b05806963497 |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> On December 20, a second batch of classified documents was discovered in the garage of Biden's [[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]] residence.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Savage |first1=Charlie |date=January 12, 2023 |title=Second Set of Classified Documents Were Found at Biden's Wilmington Home, White House Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/us/politics/biden-documents.html |access-date=January 12, 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>

On January 12, 2023, Garland appointed [[Robert K. Hur]] as special counsel to investigate "possible unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or other records".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Johnson |first=Carrie |date=January 12, 2023 |title=A special counsel will probe government documents at Biden's home and private office |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148425062/special-counsel-biden-classified-documents-robert-hur |access-date=January 12, 2023}}</ref> On January 20, after a 13-hour [[consent search|consensual search]] by FBI investigators, six more items with classified markings were recovered from Biden's Wilmington residence.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Shear |first1=Michael D. |last2=Rogers |first2=Katie |date=January 22, 2023 |title=Investigators Seize More Classified Documents From Biden's Home |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/21/us/politics/biden-documents.html |access-date=January 22, 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> FBI agents searched Biden's home in [[Rehoboth Beach, Delaware|Rehoboth Beach]] on February 1 and collected papers from his time as vice president, but did not find any classified information.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/01/fbi-searching-biden-home-in-rehoboth-delaware.html|title=FBI found no classified documents in search of Biden home in Rehoboth, lawyer says|last=Mangan|first=Dan|date=February 1, 2023|publisher=CNBC|access-date=February 16, 2023}}</ref> On February 8, 2024, Hur announced that no charges would be brought against Biden.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Rebecca |last1=Beitsch |first2=Brett |last2=Samuels |date=February 8, 2024 |title=Special counsel finds Biden 'willfully' retained classified documents, no charges filed |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4456524-special-counsel-biden-classified-documents-probe-no-charges/ |newspaper=The Hill |access-date=February 9, 2024 |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208201505/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4456524-special-counsel-biden-classified-documents-probe-no-charges/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Business activities ==== {{main|United States House Oversight Committee investigation into the Biden family}}

On January 11, 2023, the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] launched [[United States House Oversight Committee investigation into the Biden family|an investigative committee]] into the foreign business activities of Biden's son, [[Hunter Biden|Hunter]], and brother, [[James Biden|James]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Sforza |first1=Lauren |title=New GOP Oversight chair launches probes into Biden finances, Hunter Biden laptop story |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3808729-new-gop-oversight-chair-asks-treasury-for-biden-family-financial-information/ |work=The Hill |date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112174111/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3808729-new-gop-oversight-chair-asks-treasury-for-biden-family-financial-information/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The committee's chair, Representative [[James Comer]], simultaneously investigated alleged corruption related to the [[Hunter Biden laptop controversy]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Wolf |first1=Zachary B. |title=Here's what to know about GOP claims of a Biden scandal |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/09/politics/hunter-biden-republicans-what-matters/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=June 9, 2023}}</ref>

On September 12, House speaker [[Kevin McCarthy]] initiated a formal impeachment inquiry against Biden, saying that the House investigations "paint a picture of corruption" by Biden and his family.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Mascaro |first1=Lisa |last2=Farnoush |first2=Amiri |title=Speaker McCarthy directs the House to open an impeachment inquiry into President Biden |url=https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-biden-impeachment-shutdown-house-republicans-b187202be8814f7acbdd6e2e937e23d4 |publisher=Associated Press News |access-date=September 12, 2023 |date=September 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Zanona |first1=Melania |last2=Tablot |first2=Haley |last3=Fox |first3=Lauren |last4=Grayer |first4=Annie |title=McCarthy calls for formal impeachment inquiry into Biden amid pressure from conservatives |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/12/politics/biden-impeachment-house-gop/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=September 12, 2023 |date=September 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Cortellessa |first1=Eric |title=McCarthy Lacks the Votes For an Impeachment Inquiry. Trump's Allies Have a Plan to Get Them. |url=https://time.com/6311911/impeachment-biden-marjorie-greene-hunter/#:~:text=Republicans%20have%20only%20a%20slim,after%20a%20full%20House%20vote. |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=September 8, 2023 |access-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912190044/https://time.com/6311911/impeachment-biden-marjorie-greene-hunter/#:~:text=Republicans%20have%20only%20a%20slim,after%20a%20full%20House%20vote. |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Griffing |first1=Alex |title='He Doesn't Have Enough Votes': CNN's Manu Raju Explains Why McCarthy Backtracked on Impeachment Vote |url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/he-doesnt-have-enough-votes-cnns-manu-raju-says-mccarthy-backtracked-on-impeachment-vote/ |publisher=[[Mediaite]] |date=September 12, 2023}}</ref>}} Congressional investigations, including [[United States House Oversight Committee investigation into the Biden family|by the House Oversight committee]], have discovered no evidence of wrongdoing by Biden as of December 2023.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |title=House Republican Report Finds No Evidence of Wrongdoing by President Biden |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/10/us/politics/hunter-biden-house-republicans-report.html |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Demirjian |first1=Karoun |title=Republicans Are Divided on Impeaching Biden as Panel Begins New Inquiry |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/04/us/republicans-biden-inquiry.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=How a fight over immunity unraveled Hunter Biden's plea deal |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/08/17/hunter-biden-plea-deal/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 17, 2023|first1=Perry |last1=Stein |first2=Devlin |last2=Barrett |first3=Matt |last3=Viser}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Otten |first1=Tori |title=McCarthy Plans Biden Impeachment Inquiry—With No Evidence and Not Enough Votes |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/175504/mccarthy-biden-impeachment-inquiry-no-evidence-not-enough-votes |magazine=The New Republic |date=September 12, 2023}}</ref>}} On December 13, 2023, the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] voted 221–212 to formalize an [[impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden|impeachment inquiry into Biden]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Brooks |first1=Emily |title=Biden impeachment inquiry risks backfiring on House GOP |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4362989-biden-impeachment-inquiry-backfiring-on-house-gop/ |newspaper=The Hill |date=December 17, 2023 |access-date=December 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Diver |first1=Tony |last2=Staff |first2=Our Foreign |date=December 13, 2023 |title=US House votes to open Biden impeachment inquiry |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/12/13/hunter-biden-us-capitol-statement/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Rebecca Beitsch |first=Emily Brooks |date=December 13, 2023 |title=House formally approves Biden impeachment inquiry |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4358911-biden-impeachment-inquiry-house-gop/ |access-date=December 14, 2023 |newspaper=The Hill}}</ref>

In February 2024, [[Alexander Smirnov (FBI informant)|Alexander Smirnov]], a former intelligence [[informant]] who was prominent in the bribery allegations against Biden, was charged with [[making false statements]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Delaney |first=Arthur |date=February 15, 2024 |title=Justice Department Charges FBI Informant With Falsely Alleging Joe Biden Paid Bribes |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/alexander-smirnov-joe-biden-bribe_n_65ce83d9e4b043f1c0aa7d26 |access-date=February 15, 2024 |website=HuffPost |archive-date=February 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215224018/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/alexander-smirnov-joe-biden-bribe_n_65ce83d9e4b043f1c0aa7d26 |url-status=live }}</ref> Smirnov admitted he had publicized a false story given to him by Russian intelligence officials with the goal of damaging Biden's reelection campaign.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Rabinowitz |first1=Hannah |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Indicted ex-FBI informant told investigators he got Hunter Biden dirt from Russian intelligence officials |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/20/politics/biden-former-fbi-informant-russian-intelligence/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221020240/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/20/politics/biden-former-fbi-informant-russian-intelligence/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Informant charged with lies about Bidens also claimed Russian contacts, feds say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/02/20/hunter-biden-smirnov-lying-indictment-lowell/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 20, 2024 |last1=Barrett |first1=Devlin |issn=0190-8286 |access-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302220625/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/02/20/hunter-biden-smirnov-lying-indictment-lowell/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Mascaro |first1=Lisa |title=Republicans make last-ditch request for Biden to testify as impeachment inquiry winds down |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-impeachment-hunter-biden-comer-f09ba1ae3b7bda703a5a84530f56d70f |publisher=Associated Press |date=March 20, 2024 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513055832/https://apnews.com/article/biden-impeachment-hunter-biden-comer-f09ba1ae3b7bda703a5a84530f56d70f |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Age and health concerns === {{Main|Age and health concerns about Joe Biden}}

As of 2025, Biden was the oldest sitting president in U.S. history. His cognitive health was perceived to have declined by Republicans and some media figures,<ref> * {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Klein |first=Betsy |date=November 20, 2023 |title=Biden's birthday prompts debate about age and wisdom of America's oldest president |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/20/politics/joe-biden-birthday-81/index.html |access-date=March 30, 2024 |publisher=CNN}} * {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Baker |first=Peter |date=November 19, 2023 |title=For an Aging President, a Birthday With a Bite |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/19/us/politics/biden-birthday-age.html |access-date=March 30, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name = "cbsjuly1age"/> and privately by some Democrats. Members of Biden's family and White House staffers insulated Biden from scrutiny of his advanced aging and decline in acuity.<ref> * {{#invoke:cite|news|date=July 8, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |title=How Biden's Inner Circle Worked to Keep Signs of Aging Under Wraps |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/joe-biden-age-public-election-campaign-343a47bf |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}} * {{#invoke:cite|news|date=July 5, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |title=Biden's aging is seen as accelerating; lapses described as more common |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/05/biden-aging-recent-months/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}} * {{#invoke:cite|news|date=July 2, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |title=Biden's Lapses Are Said to Be Increasingly Common and Worrisome |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/02/us/politics/biden-lapses.html |newspaper=The New York Times}} * {{#invoke:cite|news|date=July 30, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |title=Top aides shielded Biden from staff, but couldn't hide the debate |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/06/30/top-aides-shielded-biden-white-house-debate |work=Axios}}</ref><ref name = "wsjagedec">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=December 19, 2024 |access-date=December 29, 2024 |title=How the White House Functioned With a Diminished Biden in Charge |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/biden-white-house-age-function-diminished-3906a839 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=January 17, 2025 |title=How Biden's Inner Circle Protected a Faltering President |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/us/politics/biden-age.html |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>

The media widely covered public concern about Biden's mental acuity after a weak performance in a June 2024 presidential debate,<ref name = "cbsjuly1age">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Salvanto |first1=Anthony |last2=Backus |first2=Fred |last3=Pinto |first3=Jennifer De |last4=Khanna |first4=Kabir |date=July 1, 2024 |title=Increasing numbers of voters don't think Biden should be running after debate with Trump — CBS News poll |publisher=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-debate-should-biden-be-running-mental-abilities/ |access-date=August 14, 2024}}</ref> but gave it limited coverage beforehand, in part due to harsh pushback from White House officials.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 2, 2024|access-date=August 23, 2025|title = Biden's mental fitness could have been better covered leading up to the debate, some White House reporters acknowledge |first=Hadas |last=Gold |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/02/media/biden-mental-fitness/index.html}}</ref> Biden initially deemed himself fit to serve two terms as president,<ref> * {{cite news|last=Siegel |first=Dr. Marc |title=Should the nation be concerned about Biden's cognitive abilities? |url=https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/591990-should-the-nation-be-concerned-about-bidens-cognitive-abilities/ |newspaper=The Hill}} * {{cite news|last=Stolberg |first=Sheryl Gay |date=November 19, 2022 |title=President Biden Is Turning 80. Experts Say Age Is More Than a Number. |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/19/us/politics/biden-age-health.html |access-date=September 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}} * {{cite news|first=Anthony |last=Zurcher |date=April 25, 2023 |title=How Joe Biden's campaign hopes to overcome his age problem |publisher=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65389142 |access-date=September 13, 2023}} * {{cite news|title=Joe Biden: 'Why the hell would I take a cognitive test?' |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-53671679 |access-date=September 13, 2023}}</ref> but after the 2024 election said that he may have been too old to serve a second term.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Sara |last=Dorn |title=Biden Admits He Might Be Too Old To Have Served Another Term |magazine=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/01/08/biden-admits-he-might-be-too-old-to-have-served-another-term/ |date = January 8, 2025 |access-date=August 23, 2025}}</ref>

As part of the [[Joe Biden classified documents incident|investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents]], special counsel [[Robert Hur]] said that Biden did not remember when he was vice president ("if it was 2013—when did I stop being vice president?") or when his son Beau died.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hur |first=Robert |date=February 2024 |title=Report on the Investigation Into Unauthorized Removal, Retention, and Disclosure of Classified Documents Discovered at Locations Including the Penn Eiden Center and the Delaware Private Residence of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. |url=https://www.justice.gov/storage/report-from-special-counsel-robert-k-hur-february-2024.pdf |access-date=May 20, 2025 |publisher=US Department of Justice}}</ref> Hur wrote that his memory "appeared to have significant limitations".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68245617 |title=No charge for Biden over classified documents but report questions memory |date=February 8, 2024 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |first1=Max |last1=Matza |accessdate=January 1, 2025 |archive-date=February 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209073525/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68245617 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 21, 2022, Biden tested positive for [[COVID-19]] with reportedly mild symptoms.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wingrove |first1=Josh |last2=Sink |first2=Justin |date=July 21, 2022 |title=Biden Tests Positive for Covid, Has Mild Symptoms, White House Says |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-21/biden-is-positive-for-covid-has-mild-symptoms-white-house-says |access-date=July 21, 2022 |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]]}}</ref><ref name="AP News">{{cite news|date=July 22, 2022|title=Biden tests positive for COVID-19, has 'very mild symptoms' |url=https://apnews.com/article/boris-johnson-biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-fec6b4a56384b1f2bf7582aecb46aa36 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> According to the White House, he was treated with [[Paxlovid]].<ref name="AP News" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Shear |first=Michael |date=July 21, 2022 |title=Biden, 79, is experiencing fatigue, a runny nose and a dry cough after testing positive. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/21/us/politics/biden-covid-positive.html |access-date=July 21, 2022 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> He worked in isolation in the White House for five days<ref>{{cite news|last1=Liptak |first1=Kevin |last2=Klein |first2=Betsy |last3=Sullivan |first3=Kate |date=July 27, 2022 |title=Biden 'feeling great' and back to work in person after testing negative for Covid-19 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/27/politics/joe-biden-negative-covid-test/index.html |access-date=July 30, 2022 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> and returned to isolation when he tested positive again on July 30.<ref>{{cite news|first=Kevin |last=Liptak |date=July 30, 2022 |title=President Joe Biden tests positive for Covid-19 again |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/30/politics/joe-biden-covid-19-positive/index.html |access-date=July 30, 2022 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=July 30, 2022 |title=Biden tests positive for COVID-19, returns to isolation |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-6ffc64aa1d8d67b074dd8beb67d7cf6f |access-date=May 11, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press |first1=Zeke |last1=Miller |first2=Josh |last2= Boak}}</ref> On July 17, 2024, Biden again tested positive for COVID-19.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 17, 2024 |title=Biden tests positive for Covid-19 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/president-joe-biden-tests-positive-covid-19-rcna162435 |access-date=July 17, 2024 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |first1=Lebowitz |last1=Megan}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=July 17, 2024 |title=President Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/17/politics/joe-biden-tests-positive-covid-19/index.html |access-date=July 17, 2024 |publisher=[[CNN]] |first1=Donald |last1=Judd |first2=Sam |last2=Fossum |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240717221451/https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/17/politics/joe-biden-tests-positive-covid-19/index.html |archive-date = July 17, 2024 |url-status = live}}</ref>

== 2024 presidential campaign == {{Main|Joe Biden 2024 presidential campaign}}

{{Further|2024 Democratic Party presidential primaries|Abandon Biden|2024 Joe Biden–Donald Trump presidential debate|Withdrawal of Joe Biden from the 2024 United States presidential election}} [[File:President Joe Biden delivers remarks from the Oval Office 4.jpg|thumb|upright|Biden addressing the nation on July 24, 2024, about [[Withdrawal of Joe Biden from the 2024 United States presidential election|his withdrawal]] from the election three days earlier]] Ending months of speculation,<ref>{{cite news|url =https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/12/13/2024-campaigns-trump-biden-00073548 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128170626/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/12/13/2024-campaigns-trump-biden-00073548 |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |title = Why the 2024 Race Is Eerily Quiet|last = Martin |first = Jonathan |newspaper = [[Politico]]|date = December 13, 2022|accessdate = July 26, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url =https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-reelection-bid-announcement-after-state-of-the-union-address/ |title = Biden likely to announce 2024 reelection bid not long after State of the Union address |last1 = Cordes |first1 = Nancy |last2 = O'Keefe |first2 = Ed |last3 = Gomez |first3 = Fin |publisher = [[CBS News]]|date = January 19, 2023 |accessdate = July 26, 2023}}</ref> on April 25, 2023, Biden confirmed he would run for reelection as president in the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 election]], with Harris again as his running mate.<ref name="Associated Press">{{cite news|last=Miller |first=Zeke |date=April 25, 2023 |title=Biden announces 2024 reelection bid: 'Let's finish this job' |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-election-2024-president-democrats-trump-9c72115656855da89a41cac3f79aa65b |accessdate=April 25, 2023}}</ref> On the day of his announcement, a Gallup poll found that Biden's approval rating was 37 percent, with most of those surveyed saying the economy was their biggest concern.<ref name="pollrui">{{cite web|last=Jones |first=Jeffrey M. |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Biden Begins Reelection Bid at Low Point in His Presidency |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/505202/biden-begins-reelection-bid-low-point-presidency.aspx |accessdate=July 26, 2023 |publisher=[[Gallup Inc.]]}}</ref> During his campaign, Biden promoted [[Economic policy of the Joe Biden administration|higher economic growth and recovery]].<ref>{{Cite press release |date=June 22, 2023 |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/WH-Bidenomics-Deck-6.22.23.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626120055/https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/WH-Bidenomics-Deck-6.22.23.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 26, 2023|title=Bidenomics: President Biden and Congressional Democrats' Plan to Grow the Economy from the Bottom Up and Middle Out, Not the Top Down, Is Delivering for the American People |publisher=[[White House]] |access-date=June 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meetthepressblog/eyes-2024-bidenomics-back-campaign-trail-rcna95285 |title=Eyes on 2024: Bidenomics back on the campaign trail |last1=Marquez |first1=Alexandra |last2=Bowman |first2=Bridget |last3=Kamisar |first3=Ben |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=July 20, 2023 |accessdate=July 26, 2023}}</ref> He frequently stated his intention to "finish the job" as a political rallying cry.<ref name="Associated Press" /><ref>{{cite news|title='It's Time to Finish the Job,' Biden Tells Union Workers as He Starts '24 Race|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/20/us/biden-2024-president-election-news#biden-running-2024-president |first=Peter |last=Baker |newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 25, 2023|access-date=January 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lemire |first=Jonathan |date=February 7, 2023 |title=Biden urges GOP lawmakers to 'finish the job' and takes a few swipes at them too |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/07/biden-state-of-the-union-address-2023-00081651 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |newspaper=[[Politico]]}}</ref>

[[U.S. Representative]] [[Dean Phillips]] ran against Biden in the 2024 Democratic presidential primaries.<ref>{{cite news| last=Alberta| first=Tim| author-link=Tim Alberta| title=Dean Phillips Has a Warning For Democrats| date=October 27, 2023| work=[[The Atlantic]]| url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/10/dean-phillips-joe-biden-2024-primary/675784/}}</ref> Phillips [[Dean Phillips 2024 presidential campaign|campaigned]] as a younger alternative to Biden,<ref>{{cite news|last1=John |first1=Arit |last2=McKend |first2=Eva |last3=Pellish |first3=Aaron |title=House Democrat Dean Phillips launches primary challenge against President Biden |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/26/politics/dean-phillips-presidential-campaign-launch/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=December 4, 2024 |date=October 27, 2023}}</ref> arguing that he would be a stronger opponent to Trump in the general election.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Skelley |first1=Geoffrey |title=The curious case of Dean Phillips's last-minute primary challenge |url=https://abcnews.go.com/538/curious-case-dean-phillipss-minute-primary-challenge/story?id=104482909 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031191710/https://abcnews.go.com/538/curious-case-dean-phillipss-minute-primary-challenge/story?id=104482909 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=January 1, 2025 |date=October 31, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wong |first1=Scott |last2=Vitali |first2=Ali |last3=Traylor |first3=Jake |title='A head scratcher': Dems baffled by Dean Phillips' quixotic bid against Biden |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/-head-scratcher-dems-baffled-dean-phillips-quixotic-bid-biden-rcna122506 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=January 1, 2025 |date=October 27, 2023}}</ref> Biden was not on the ballot in the January 23, [[2024 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary|New Hampshire primary]], but won it in a write-in campaign with 63.8% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Faircloth |first1=Ryan |title=Minnesota's Dean Phillips loses to President Joe Biden in New Hampshire's Democratic primary |url=https://www.startribune.com/dean-phillips-seeks-to-shock-democrats-country-in-tuesdays-new-hampshire-presidential-primary/600337784 |newspaper=[[The Minnesota Star Tribune]] |access-date=December 4, 2024 |date=January 24, 2024 |archive-date=October 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251003004822/https://www.startribune.com/dean-phillips-seeks-to-shock-democrats-country-in-tuesdays-new-hampshire-presidential-primary/600337784 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He had wanted South Carolina to be the first primary, and [[2024 South Carolina Democratic presidential primary|won that state on February 3]] with 96.2% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news|title=South Carolina Democratic Primary Results |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 3, 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/02/03/us/elections/results-south-carolina-democratic-primary.html |access-date=February 4, 2024}}</ref> Biden received 89.3% of the vote in [[2024 Nevada Democratic presidential primary|Nevada]] and 81.1% of the vote in [[2024 Michigan Democratic presidential primary|Michigan]]. On March 5 ("Super Tuesday"), he won 15 of 16 primaries, netting 80% or more of the vote in 13.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/results/2024/03/05/super-tuesday/ |newspaper=Washington Post |title=Super Tuesday: Election Results 2024 |date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=August 13, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/03/05/us/elections/results-super-tuesday-key-races.html |title=Super Tuesday Results: Key Races to Watch |access-date=August 13, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 5, 2024}}</ref> Biden lost the [[2024 American Samoa Democratic presidential caucuses|American Samoa]] contest to venture capitalist [[Jason Palmer (politician)|Jason Palmer]], becoming the first incumbent president to lose a contest while appearing on the ballot since [[Jimmy Carter]] in [[1980 Democratic Party presidential primaries|1980]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Megerian |first1=Chris |title=Who is Jason Palmer? A previously unknown Democrat beats Biden in American Samoa's Democratic caucus |url=https://apnews.com/article/who-is-jason-palmer-american-samoa-primary-c4bc109a16c7ee7b083f6216b44ba0c4 |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=October 13, 2024 |date=March 6, 2024}}</ref> On March 6, Phillips suspended his campaign and endorsed Biden.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 6, 2024 |title=Dean Phillips ends presidential campaign and endorses Biden|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/dean-phillips-ends-presidential-campaign-rcna142091 |access-date=December 4, 2024 |publisher=NBC News |last1=Shabad |first1=Rebecca |last2=Egwuonwu |first2=Nnamdi}}</ref> On March 12, Biden reached more than the 1,968 delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination, becoming the presumptive nominee.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 12, 2024 |title=How Biden won enough delegates to become the presumptive Democratic nominee |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/how-biden-won-enough-delegates-to-become-the-presumptive-democratic-nominee |access-date=March 10, 2025 |work=PBS Newshour}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Schneider|first=Elena|title=Biden officially clinches Democratic nomination for president|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/12/biden-cllinches-democratic-presidential-nomination-00146648 |access-date=August 13, 2024 |newspaper=Politico|date=March 12, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=March 12, 2024 |title=How Biden won enough delegates for another Democratic presidential nomination |first1=Robert |last1=Yoon |first2=Maya |last2=Sweedler |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-democrats-nomination-president-delegate-34a06d45d909c077fbeed17014f92986 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref>

The [[2024 Joe Biden–Donald Trump presidential debate|first presidential debate]] was held on June 27, 2024, between Biden and Trump. Biden's performance was widely criticized, with commentators saying he frequently lost his train of thought and gave meandering answers.<ref name="reuters-biden-debate">{{cite news|last1=Holland |first1=Steve |last2=Reid |first2=Tim |last3=Morgan |first3=David |title=Biden acknowledges age, bad debate performance but vows to beat Trump |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/democrats-scramble-limit-damage-after-bidens-wobbly-debate-showing-against-trump-2024-06-28/ |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=June 29, 2024 |access-date=June 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="apjune27">{{cite news|date=June 27, 2024 |title=A halting Biden tries to confront Trump at debate but stirs Democratic panic about his candidacy |first1=Zeke |last1=Miller |first2=Michelle L. |last2=Price |first3=Will |last3=Weissert |first4=Bill |last4=Barrow |first5=Darlene |last5=Superville |url=https://apnews.com/article/bidentrumppresidentialdebate-0e7577e9a354a69f50675494fea54ca9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628073822/https://apnews.com/article/bidentrumppresidentialdebate-0e7577e9a354a69f50675494fea54ca9 |archive-date=June 28, 2024 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press News}}</ref><ref name="PoliticoJune28Dems">{{cite news|last1=Kashinsky |first1=Lisa |last2=Cancryn |first2=Adam |last3=Daniels |first3=Eugene |date=June 28, 2024 |title=Dems freak out over Biden's debate performance: 'Biden is toast' |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/27/biden-debate-opening-concerns-00165595 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |newspaper=Politico |archive-date=June 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628024715/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/27/biden-debate-opening-concerns-00165595 |url-status=live }}</ref> Several newspaper columnists declared Trump the winner,{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref name="worst" >{{cite news|last=Greenfield|first=Jeff|title=The Worst Debate Performance in American History|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/06/28/worst-debate-performance-history-opinion-00165686|newspaper=Politico|date=June 28, 2024|access-date=June 28, 2024|archive-date=June 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628202227/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/06/28/worst-debate-performance-history-opinion-00165686|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rappeport|first=Alan|title=Who Won the Debate? Biden Stumbles Left Trump on Top|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/27/us/politics/biden-trump-debate-who-won.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 27, 2024|access-date=June 28, 2024|archive-date=June 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628230244/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/27/us/politics/biden-trump-debate-who-won.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Potas|first=Dace|title=Republicans deserve the version of Trump we saw during the debate. Too bad it won't last.|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2024/06/28/trump-won-debate-biden-failed/74241366007/|newspaper=USA Today|date=June 28, 2024|access-date=June 28, 2024|archive-date=June 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628230346/https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2024/06/28/trump-won-debate-biden-failed/74241366007/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Prokop|first=Andrew|title=2 winners and 2 losers from the first Biden-Trump debate|url=https://www.vox.com/politics/357788/biden-trump-debate-winners-losers|website=Vox|date=June 28, 2024|access-date=June 28, 2024|archive-date=June 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628151404/https://www.vox.com/politics/357788/biden-trump-debate-winners-losers|url-status=live}}</ref>}} and polling indicated the majority of viewers believed Trump won.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-trump-june-debate-poll/|title=Who Won The First Biden-Trump Presidential Debate? |first1=Aaron |last1=Bycoffe |first2=Amina |last2=Brown |first3=Nathaniel |last3=Rakich|website=[[FiveThirtyEight]]|date=June 28, 2024|access-date=June 28, 2024|archive-date=June 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627224514/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-trump-june-debate-poll/|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the debate raised questions about [[Age and health concerns of Joe Biden|his health and age]], Biden faced calls to withdraw from the race, including from [[List of Democrats who opposed the Joe Biden 2024 presidential campaign|fellow Democrats]]<ref name="nbc-biden-step-down">{{cite news|last1=Allen |first1=Jonathan |title=Some Democrats start calling for Biden to step aside and 'throw in the towel' on 2024 |date=June 28, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/democrats-biden-step-aside-throw-towel-2024-rcna159368 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=June 29, 2024}}</ref> and the [[editorial boards]] of several major news outlets.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|date=June 28, 2024 |title=To Serve His Country, President Biden Should Leave the Race |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/28/opinion/biden-election-debate-trump.html |access-date=June 28, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628220351/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/28/opinion/biden-election-debate-trump.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=June 30, 2024 |title=These major media outlets have called for Biden to drop out |first=Nick |last=Robertson |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4748637-biden-debate-step-aside-newspapers/ |access-date=July 1, 2024 |newspaper=The Hill}}</ref>

Biden initially insisted that he would remain a candidate,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2024/07/03/nx-s1-5028147/biden-presidential-race|title='I'm in this race to the end,' Biden tells campaign staffers|first1=Tamara|last1=Keith|first2=Deepa|last2=Shivaram|publisher=NPR|date=July 3, 2024|accessdate=July 3, 2024}}</ref> but on July 21, he withdrew from the race, writing that this was "in the best interest of my party and the country".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wynder |first1=Ehren |last2=Schrader |first2=Adam |date=July 21, 2024 |title=Biden ends his presidential re-election campaign |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2024/07/21/biden-ends-2024-presidential-campaign/3971721584879 |access-date=July 21, 2024 |publisher=United Press International}}</ref> He immediately endorsed Harris to replace him as the party's presidential nominee.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=JoeBiden |number=1815087772216303933|title=My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it's been the best decision I've made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this. |date=July 21, 2024 |last=Biden |first=Joseph R. Jr.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Shear |first=Michael D. |date=July 21, 2024 |title=Live Updates: Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race, Endorses Harris |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/21/us/trump-biden-election |access-date=July 21, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On August 6, 2024, Harris officially became the Democratic presidential nominee.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Oren |last1=Oppenheim |first2=Brittany |last2=Shepherd |first3=Isabella |last3=Murray |title=Kamala Harris certified as Democratic presidential nominee after earning majority of roll call votes |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/kamala-harris-nominee-DNC-majority-democratic-roll-call-votes/story?id=112580918 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref> This was the first time an eligible incumbent had declined to run for reelection since [[1968 United States presidential election|1968]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Montanaro |first1=Domenico |title=6 political takeaways from Biden's decision to step aside |date=July 22, 2024 |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/07/22/nx-s1-5048115/biden-harris-drop-out-election-analysis |publisher=NPR |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>

In the general election, Trump defeated Harris. The Senate [[2024 United States Senate elections|went Republican]] for the first time since 2018. In a nationally televised speech after the election, Biden congratulated Trump and promised a "peaceful and orderly" transition of power.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stoddart |first1=Michelle |title=Biden congratulates Trump in phone call, invites him to meeting at White House |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-congratulates-trump-phone-call-invites-meeting-white-house/story?id=115560662 |access-date=February 5, 2026 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=November 7, 2024}}</ref> In a January 2025 interview, Biden claimed he could have defeated Trump had he not been persuaded to withdraw from the election, despite lagging behind Trump in polling.<ref>{{cite news|last=Page |first=Susan |title=In exclusive sit-down, Biden reveals his biggest regret and the compliment Trump gave him |date=January 8, 2025 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/01/08/exclusive-joe-biden-interview-donald-trump-election/77378693007/ |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |access-date=January 10, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sommerlad |first=Joe |title=Biden still believes he could have beaten Trump and says successor 'very complimentary' in private |date=January 8, 2025 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/biden-interview-trump-harris-election-b2675767.html |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=January 10, 2025}}</ref> A [[YouGov]] poll conducted on November 6–7, 2024, found that if Biden had been the Democratic nominee, Trump would have won the popular vote by 49% to 42%. Trump won the popular vote over Harris by 49.8% to 48.3%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/econTabReport_KJi77QW.pdf#page=68 |date=November 8, 2024 |access-date=November 15, 2024 |publisher=YouGov |title=40. Trial Heat - Biden v Trump}}</ref>

== Post-presidency (2025–present) == [[File:Funeral Service for former Vice President Richard B. Cheney 9401905.jpg|thumb|left|Biden, on his 83rd birthday, attending the [[Dick Cheney#Death and funeral|funeral of Dick Cheney]] in November 2025]]

Biden's term ended on January 20, 2025.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/where-are-the-bidens-headed-after-the-inauguration/6114539/|title=Where are the Bidens headed after the inauguration?|first1=Kelly|last1=O'Donnell|date=January 20, 2025|access-date=January 20, 2025|agency=[[WNBC]]}}</ref> At the end of his presidency, Biden designated former [[Senior Advisor to the President of the United States|senior advisors]] [[Anthony Bernal]] and [[Annie Tomasini]] to raise funds for the [[Joseph R. Biden Jr. Presidential Library]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Allen |first1=Mike |title=Behind the Curtain: Biden's haunting twin sins |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/12/05/joe-biden-pardon-hunter-biden-presidential-library |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |date=December 5, 2024}}</ref> He later signed with talent agency [[Creative Artists Agency]] (CAA), which previously represented him from 2017 to 2020.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hayden |first=Erik |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Joe Biden Is Ready to Make Some Hollywood Deals, Signs With CAA |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/joe-biden-is-ready-to-make-some-hollywood-deals-signs-with-caa-1236126286/ |access-date=February 4, 2025 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Former President Biden signs with Hollywood talent agency CAA |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-02-03/biden-signs-with-hollywood-talent-agency-caa|newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=February 3, 2025}}</ref> On February 7, President Trump revoked Biden's [[security clearance]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn57p5r99xyo |publisher=BBC News |last=Davies |first=Alys |date=February 7, 2025 |title=Trump says he is revoking Biden's security clearance |access-date=March 1, 2025}}</ref> Former presidents have traditionally been granted access to intelligence briefings, though such access is at the sitting president's discretion. In 2021, Biden had revoked Trump's security clearance for his role in inciting the [[January 6 Capitol attack]].<ref>{{cite news|date=February 8, 2025 |title=Trump revokes security clearances for top diplomat, security official under Biden |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/trump-revokes-security-clearances-for-top-diplomat-security-official-under-biden/ |agency=Reuters |via=[[CTV News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Green |first1=Erica L. |last2=Meko |first2=Hurubie |last3=Feuer |first3=Alan |date=February 9, 2025 |title=Trump to Revoke Security Clearances for Antony Blinken, Letitia James and Alvin Bragg |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/09/us/politics/trump-blinken-james-bragg-security-clearances.html |access-date=February 11, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On April 15, Biden made his first major public appearance since leaving office, delivering remarks at an Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) conference in [[Chicago]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mueller |first1=Julia |title=Biden says Trump administration has 'done so much damage' since taking office |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5250868-biden-trumps-admin-damage/ |access-date=April 16, 2025 |newspaper=The Hill |date=April 15, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Peoples |first1=Steve |last2=Hussein |first2=Fatima |title=Biden alleges Trump has 'taken a hatchet' to Social Security in his first post-presidency speech |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-speech-return-democrat-president-trump-f3e2a163db5e4e73635a60a8a61e1c7a |access-date=April 16, 2025 |publisher=Associated Press |date=April 15, 2025}}</ref> On April 26, Biden and his wife attended the state funeral of [[Pope Francis]] in Vatican City.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sinder |first1=Mike |title=President Trump and former President Biden attend Pope Francis' funeral |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/04/26/donald-trump-joe-biden-pope-francis-funeral/83293241007/ |access-date=July 10, 2025 |work=USA Today}}</ref> On May 7, Biden appeared on ''[[The View]]'' to defend his presidential legacy.<ref>{{cite news|last1=John |first1=Arit |last2=Saenz |first2=Arlette |title=Key takeaways from Joe Biden and Jill Biden's interview on 'The View' |agency=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/08/politics/joe-biden-jill-biden-view-interview-takeaways |date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref> On September 6, Biden announced that his proposed presidential center would be in Delaware.<ref>{{cite web|last=Madhani|first=Aamer|date=September 6, 2025|url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-presidential-library-delaware-42d1c3fd0b25fb2f4e579307984f6ddb|title=Biden chooses Delaware for his presidential library as his team turns to raising money for it|work=Associated Press|accessdate=September 6, 2025}}</ref> On November 20, Biden and his wife attended former Vice President [[Dick Cheney]]'s funeral.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/joe-biden-attends-dick-cheney-funeral-83rd-birthday-11853538|title=Joe Biden, Who Recently Rang the Bell for Cancer Treatment, Publicly Emerges on 83rd Birthday for Dick Cheney's Funeral|first=Greta|last=Bjornson|publisher=People|date=November 20, 2025|accessdate=November 20, 2025}}</ref>

On March 6, 2026, Biden gave a speech at civil rights activist [[Jesse Jackson]]'s memorial service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-06 |title=Full remarks from former President Joe Biden at Rev. Jesse Jackson's funeral - CBS Chicago |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/jesse-jackson-funeral-chicago-president-joe-biden-full-remarks/ |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> On April 13, Biden returned to Syracuse University for a private ceremony unveiling his official portrait at the College of Law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-14 |title=Back at his alma mater, Biden responds humbly to new portrait at Syracuse University |url=https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/biden-syracuse-return-2026/ |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=www.localsyr.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Health=== On May 18, 2025, Biden's office announced that he had been diagnosed with aggressive [[prostate cancer]] with [[bone metastasis]] during a routine physical examination.<ref>{{cite news|last=Klein |first=Betsy |date=May 18, 2025 |title=Biden diagnosed with 'aggressive form' of prostate cancer |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/18/politics/joe-biden-prostate-cancer |access-date=May 18, 2025 |agency=[[CNN]]}}</ref> On May 30, Biden confirmed that he had begun treatment.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Beccah |last=Hendrickson |date=May 30, 2025 |title=Former President Joe Biden gives first public remarks since cancer diagnosis at event in Delaware |url=https://6abc.com/post/joe-biden-set-give-first-public-remarks-cancer-diagnosis-event-new-castle-delaware/16599372/ |access-date=June 2, 2025 |agency=[[WPVI-TV]]}}</ref> On September 4, Biden's spokesperson confirmed that he had recently undergone [[Mohs surgery]] to remove skin cancer lesions from his forehead. The procedure followed a 2023 removal of a [[basal-cell carcinoma]] from his chest.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Epstein |first1=Reid J. |last2=Kolata |first2=Gina |title=Biden Has Surgery to Remove Skin Cancer Lesions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/us/politics/biden-skin-cancer.html |website=The New York Times |date=September 4, 2025 |access-date=September 5, 2025}}</ref> On October 11, Biden's spokesperson confirmed that he was undergoing [[radiation therapy|radiation]] and [[Hormonal therapy (oncology)|hormone therapies]] for his prostate cancer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Donnell |first1=Kelly |last2=Duffy |first2=Nick |date=October 11, 2025 |title=Former President Joe Biden undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/former-president-joe-biden-radiation-therapy-prostate-cancer-rcna237019 |access-date=October 11, 2025 |work=NBC News}}</ref> On October 20, Biden completed a course of radiation therapy at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology at the [[University of Pennsylvania]]; it is uncertain whether he will need further treatment.<ref name=bidenhealth>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-completes-round-of-radiation-therapy-aggressive-prostate-cancer/|title=Biden completes round of radiation therapy to treat aggressive prostate cancer|first=Ed|last=O'Keefe|publisher=CBS News|date=October 20, 2025|accessdate=October 20, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-rings-bell-after-completing-radiation-therapy-cancer/story?id=126700915|title=Biden rings the bell after completing course of radiation therapy for cancer|first1=Claire|last1=Brinberg|publisher=ABC News|date=October 20, 2025|accessdate=October 20, 2025}}</ref>

== Political positions == {{Main|Political positions of Joe Biden}}

As a senator, Biden was regarded as a [[moderate Democrat]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first=John |last=Kruzel |url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2019/may/06/joe-biden/joe-biden-claims-he-was-staunch-liberal-senate-he-/ |date=May 6, 2019 |title=Joe Biden claims he was a staunch liberal in the Senate. He wasn't |publisher=[[PolitiFact]] |access-date=May 6, 2019 |archive-date=May 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506170707/https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2019/may/06/joe-biden/joe-biden-claims-he-was-staunch-liberal-senate-he-/ |url-status=live}}</ref> As a presidential nominee, Biden's platform had been called the most progressive of any major party platform in history, although not within his party's ideological vanguard.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first=Louis |last=Jacobson |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/apr/17/barack-obama/joe-bidens-platform-progressive-obama-says/|date=April 17, 2020 |title=Is Joe Biden's platform as progressive as Obama says? |publisher=[[PolitiFact]]}}</ref> Biden says his positions are deeply influenced by [[Catholic social teaching]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last=Lamport |first=Mark |title=The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Contemporary Christianity in the United States |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |year=2022 |isbn=9781538138816 |pages=113}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Rocca |first=Francis X. |date=February 5, 2021 |title=Can Catholic Social Teaching Unite a Divided America? |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-catholic-social-teaching-unite-a-divided-america-11612540382 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=O'Dowd |first=Niall |author-link=Niall O'Dowd |date=April 30, 2021 |title=Joe Biden's Catholic social teaching central to his presidency |url=https://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/niallodowd/joe-bidens-catholic-social-teaching-central-presidency |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=IrishCentral}}</ref>

According to political scientist Carlo Invernizzi Accetti, Biden represents an Americanized form of [[Christian democracy]], taking positions characteristic of both the [[center-right]] and [[center-left]].<ref name="Foreign Policy">{{Cite magazine |last=Accetti |first=Carlo Invernizzi |date=March 16, 2020 |title=Joe Biden Isn't a Liberal or a Moderate. He's a Christian Democrat. |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/03/16/joe-biden-election-liberal-moderate-christian-democrat/ |access-date=October 20, 2023 |magazine=Foreign Policy}}</ref> Biden has cited the Catholic philosopher [[Jacques Maritain]], credited with starting the Christian democratic movement, as immensely influential in his thinking.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Cairns |first=Madoc |date=May 3, 2023 |title=The Red Christian |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2023/05/red-christian-democracy-history-philosophy |access-date=October 20, 2023 |magazine=New Statesman}}</ref> Other analysts have likened his ideology to traditional [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberalism]], "a doctrine of liberty, equality, justice and individual rights that relies... on a strong federal government for enforcement".<ref name="Greenberg">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Greenberg|first=David|date=September 12, 2019|title=The danger of confusing liberals and leftists|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/09/12/stop-calling-bernie-sanders-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-liberals/|access-date=August 6, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> In 2022, journalist [[Sasha Issenberg]] wrote that Biden's "most valuable political skill" was "an innate compass for the ever-shifting mainstream of the Democratic Party".<ref>{{cite news|last=Issenberg |first=Sasha |authorlink=Sasha Issenberg |date=May 6, 2022 |title=How Same-Sex Marriage Shaped Joe Biden |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/05/06/joe-biden-gay-marriage-00030367 |access-date=May 6, 2022 |newspaper=[[Politico]]}}</ref> Some critics claimed Biden's climate policy was [[Socialism|socialist]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Waste Watch: Biden's Socialist Wish List |url=https://oversight.house.gov/blog/waste-watch-bidens-socialist-wish-list/ |publisher=Committee on Oversight and Government Reform |date=January 25, 2025 |access-date=March 12, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Collinson |first1=Stephen |title=The momentum behind Biden's climate ambitions |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/22/world/meanwhile-in-america-december-22-intl/index.html |access-date=March 12, 2025 |agency=CNN |date=December 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Folley |first1=Aris |last2=Jagoda |first2=Naomi |last3=Lillis |first3=Mike |title=Five takeaways: House passes Biden's sweeping benefits bill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/582418-five-takeaways-house-passes-bidens-sweeping-benefits-bill/ |access-date=March 12, 2025 |newspaper=The Hill |date=November 20, 2021}}</ref>

Biden proposed partially reversing the corporate tax cuts of the [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Joseph|last=Zeballos-Roig|date=September 11, 2020|title=Joe Biden pledges to roll back Trump's corporate tax cuts on 'day one,' saying it won't hurt businesses' ability to hire|work=[[Business Insider]]|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/joe-biden-trumps-tax-cuts-day-one-presidency-economy-2020-9|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122232506/https://www.businessinsider.com/joe-biden-trumps-tax-cuts-day-one-presidency-economy-2020-9|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Megan|last=Henney|date=June 30, 2020|title=Biden pledges to roll back Trump's tax cuts: 'A lot of you may not like that'|agency=[[Fox Business]]|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/biden-pledges-to-undo-trumps-tax-cuts-a-lot-of-you-may-not-like-that|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112205316/https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/biden-pledges-to-undo-trumps-tax-cuts-a-lot-of-you-may-not-like-that|url-status=live}}</ref> He voted for the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA)<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url-status=dead |title=Final Senate Vote on NAFTA |publisher=[[Public Citizen]] |url=https://www.citizen.org/print_article.cfm?ID=15960 |access-date=August 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608182639/https://www.citizen.org/print_article.cfm?ID=15960 |archive-date=June 8, 2008}}</ref> and the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Mike |last=Lillis |date=January 28, 2016 |title=Biden coaxes Dems on Obama trade deal |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/267420-biden-coaxes-dems-on-obama-trade-deal |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=November 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107075246/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/267420-biden-coaxes-dems-on-obama-trade-deal |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden is a staunch supporter of the [[Affordable Care Act]] (ACA).<ref name="ACA203">{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Dan|last=Diamond|date=July 15, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2021|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/15/joe-biden-health-care-plan-1415850|title=Biden unveils health care plan: Affordable Care Act 2.0|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103083823/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/15/joe-biden-health-care-plan-1415850|archive-date=January 3, 2021|newspaper=[[Politico]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Bill|last=Barrow|date=July 15, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2021|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/biden-aggressively-defends-the-affordable-care-act|title=Biden aggressively defends the Affordable Care Act|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103083902/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/biden-aggressively-defends-the-affordable-care-act|archive-date=January 3, 2021|agency=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=[[PBS]]}}</ref> He promoted a plan to build upon it,<ref name="ACA203" /> aiming to expand [[Health insurance coverage in the United States|health insurance coverage]] to 97% of Americans, including by creating a [[public health insurance option]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Scott |first=Dylan |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Joe Biden has a chance to finish the work of Obamacare |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/8/20/21372511/joe-biden-obamacare-health-care-plan|access-date=November 27, 2020 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105044015/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/8/20/21372511/joe-biden-obamacare-health-care-plan |url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden did not support national [[same-sex marriage]] rights while in the Senate and voted for the [[Defense of Marriage Act]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Roll Call Votes 104th Congress – 2nd Session |date=September 10, 1996 |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1042/vote_104_2_00280.htm |access-date=May 13, 2023 |publisher=[[United States Senate]]}}</ref> but opposed proposals for constitutional amendments that would have banned same-sex marriage nationwide.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Roll Call Vote 109th Congress – 2nd Session |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1092/vote_109_2_00163.htm |date=June 7, 2006 |access-date=May 13, 2023 |publisher=[[United States Senate]]}}</ref> Biden has supported same-sex marriage since 2012.<ref name="NYT Biden Evolution on LGBTQ" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=May 6, 2012|title=May 6: Joe Biden, Kelly Ayotte, Diane Swonk, Tom Brokaw, Chuck Todd |publisher=[[NBC News]] |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna47311900 |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405045344/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/47311900/ns/meet_the_press-transcripts/t/may-joe-biden-kelly-ayotte-diane-swonk-tom-brokaw-chuck-todd/ |url-status=live}}</ref> As a senator, Biden forged deep relationships with police groups and was a chief proponent of a [[Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights|Police Officer's Bill of Rights]] measure that police unions supported but police chiefs opposed.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Kranish |first=Michael |date=June 9, 2020 |title=Joe Biden let police groups write his crime bill. Now, his agenda has changed.|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/joe-biden-let-police-groups-write-his-crime-bill-now-his-agenda-has-changed/2020/06/08/82ab969e-a434-11ea-8681-7d471bf20207_story.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112174038/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/joe-biden-let-police-groups-write-his-crime-bill-now-his-agenda-has-changed/2020/06/08/82ab969e-a434-11ea-8681-7d471bf20207_story.html|archive-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=McDermott|first1=Nathan|last2=Steck|first2=Em|date=June 10, 2020|title=Biden repeatedly pushed bill in Senate that critics said would have made investigating police officers for misconduct more difficult|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/10/politics/biden-senate-police-officers-kfile/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116122904/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/10/politics/biden-senate-police-officers-kfile/index.html|archive-date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 13, 2020|publisher=CNN}}</ref> In 2020, Biden also ran on decriminalizing [[cannabis]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=December 28, 2020 |title=President-Elect Joe Biden and the Future of Cannabis Policy in America |first=Whitt |last=Steineker |publisher=[[Bradley Arant Boult Cummings]] |url=https://www.bradley.com/insights/publications/2020/12/president-elect-joe-biden-and-the-future-of-cannabis-policy-in-america |access-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217144322/https://www.bradley.com/insights/publications/2020/12/president-elect-joe-biden-and-the-future-of-cannabis-policy-in-america |url-status=dead }}</ref> after advocating harsher penalties for drug use as a senator.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=October 9, 1982 |title=U.S. Plans A New Drive On Narcotics |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/09/us/us-plans-a-new-drive-on-narcotics.html |first=Leslie |last=Maitland |access-date=August 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Democratic Response to Drug Policy Address |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?8997-1/democratic-response-drug-policy-address |access-date=May 13, 2023 |publisher=C-SPAN}}</ref>

Biden believes action must be taken on [[climate change]]. As a senator, he co-sponsored the [[Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2007|Boxer–Sanders Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act]], the most stringent climate bill in the [[United States Senate]].<ref>{{cite magazine|date=January 3, 2008|title=A look at the environmental record of Joe Biden, Barack Obama's running mate|magazine=[[Grist (magazine)|Grist]]|url=https://grist.org/article/biden_factsheet/|access-date=May 4, 2008|archive-date=May 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526083021/https://www.grist.org/article/biden_factsheet/|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden supports [[nature conservation]]. According to a report from the [[Center for American Progress]], he broke several records in this domain.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Biden reached conservation records in 2023 |url=https://westernpriorities.org/2023/12/biden-reached-conservation-records-in-2023/ |publisher=Center for Western Priorities |date=December 21, 2023 |access-date=January 31, 2024}}</ref> He took steps to protect [[old-growth forest]]s.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Aratani |first1=Lauren |title=Joe Biden plans to ban logging in US old-growth forests in 2025 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/19/biden-forest-logging-ban-old-trees |access-date=January 31, 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=December 19, 2023}}</ref> Biden opposes drilling for oil in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Presidential Candidates views on ANWR, The Democrats |url=https://www.anwr.org/Politics/Presidential-Candidates-views-on-ANWR-The-Democrats.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807162357/https://www.anwr.org/Politics/Presidential-Candidates-views-on-ANWR-The-Democrats.php |archive-date=August 7, 2008 |access-date=August 25, 2008 |publisher=[[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]]}}</ref> He wants to achieve a carbon-free power sector in the U.S. by 2035 and stop emissions completely by 2050.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Carr|first1=Bob|date=September 2, 2020|title=Joe Biden's bold climate policies would leave Australia behind|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/02/joe-bidens-bold-climate-policies-would-leave-australia-behind|access-date=September 21, 2020|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921170525/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/02/joe-bidens-bold-climate-policies-would-leave-australia-behind|url-status=live}}</ref> His program included reentering the [[Paris Agreement]], [[green building]] and more.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Moore |first1=Elena |date=October 16, 2020 |title=Trump's And Biden's Plans For The Environment |publisher=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/920484187/trumps-and-biden-s-plans-for-the-environment |access-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030113807/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/920484187/trumps-and-biden-s-plans-for-the-environment |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden supports [[environmental justice]], including [[climate justice]] and [[Blue justice|ocean justice]].{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Rice |first1=Doyle |last2=Voyles Pulver |first2=Dinah |title=Biden Administration announces first-ever Ocean Justice Strategy. What's that? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/12/07/biden-administration-announces-an-ocean-justice-strategy/71840427007/ |access-date=December 18, 2023 |newspaper=USA Today |date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|title=OCEAN JUSTICE STRATEGY |date=December 2023 |publisher=OCEAN POLICY COMMITTEE |page=23 |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ocean-Justice-Strategy.pdf |access-date=December 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Joselow |first1=Maxine |title=Biden announces new fund to help low-income housing get climate upgrades |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2023/05/11/hud-climate-housing-program/ |access-date=May 14, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Higgins |first1=Marisa |title=Biden Administration Allocates $830 Million in Energy-Efficient Low-Income Housing |url=https://www.environmentalleader.com/2023/05/biden-administration-invests-over-830-million-in-energy-efficient-low-income-housing/ |website=Environmental + Energy leader |date=May 12, 2023 |access-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622164907/https://www.environmentalleader.com/2023/05/biden-administration-invests-over-830-million-in-energy-efficient-low-income-housing/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>}} Biden called global temperature rise above the 1.5°C limit the "only existential threat humanity faces even more frightening than a nuclear war".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Clifford |first1=Catherine |title=Biden says global warming topping 1.5 degrees in the next 10 to 20 years is scarier than nuclear war |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/11/biden-global-warming-even-more-frightening-than-nuclear-war.html |access-date=October 27, 2023 |publisher=CNBC |date=September 11, 2023}}</ref> Despite his clean energy policies and congressional Republicans characterizing them as a "War on American Energy", domestic oil production reached a record high in October 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Borenstein |first1=Seth |title=US oil production hits all-time high, conflicting with efforts to cut heat-trapping pollution |url=https://apnews.com/article/oil-fossil-fuels-climate-change-biden-df27160fc81f28d21fbf1fc5575b77bc |publisher=Associated Press News |date=October 20, 2023}}</ref>

Biden has said the U.S. needs to "get tough" on China, calling it the "most serious competitor" that poses challenges to the United States' "prosperity, security, and democratic values".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Why America Must Lead Again |last=Biden |first=Joseph R. Jr. |magazine=[[Foreign Affairs]] |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date=January 29, 2021 |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-01-23/why-america-must-lead-again}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Remarks by President Biden on America's Place in the World |publisher=[[The White House]] |date=February 4, 2021 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |url= https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/02/04/remarks-by-president-biden-on-americas-place-in-the-world/}}</ref> Biden has spoken about human rights abuses in the [[Xinjiang]] region to Chinese leader [[Xi Jinping]], pledging to sanction and commercially restrict Chinese government officials and entities who carry out repression.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Edward |first1=Wong |last2=Crawley |first2=Michael |last3=Swanson |first3=Ana |date=September 6, 2020 |title=Joe Biden's China Journey |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/06/us/politics/biden-china.html|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112163033/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/06/us/politics/biden-china.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first1=Peter |last1=Martin |first2=Saleha |last2=Mohsin |first3=Nick |last3=Wadhams |first4=Jenny |last4=Leonard |title=President Biden Raises Human Rights and Trade Concerns in First Call With China's Xi |url=https://time.com/5938307/biden-xi-china-first-call/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=February 11, 2021 |access-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216041626/https://time.com/5938307/biden-xi-china-first-call/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Biden has said he is against [[regime change]] but is for providing non-military support to opposition movements.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=February 6, 2020 |access-date=August 26, 2021 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/politics/joe-biden-foreign-policy.html |title=Foreign Policy, Joseph R. Biden Jr. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811235654/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/politics/joe-biden-foreign-policy.html |archive-date=August 11, 2021 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He opposed direct U.S. [[2011 military intervention in Libya|intervention in Libya]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Peter |last=Baker |date=October 9, 2015 |access-date=August 26, 2021|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/10/us/politics/a-biden-run-would-expose-foreign-policy-differences-with-hillary-clinton.html |title=A Biden Run Would Expose Foreign Policy Differences With Hillary Clinton |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201216223923/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/10/us/politics/a-biden-run-would-expose-foreign-policy-differences-with-hillary-clinton.html|archive-date=December 16, 2020|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="The New York Times-2" /> voted against U.S. participation in the [[Gulf War]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Peter |last=Wehner |title=Biden Was Wrong On the Cold War|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122049148440397625 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006022121/https://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB122049148440397625.html |date=September 4, 2008 |archive-date=October 6, 2008|access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref> voted in favor of the [[Iraq War]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first=Robert |last=Farley |date=September 10, 2019|title=Biden's Record on Iraq War |website=[[FactCheck.org]] |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2019/09/bidens-record-on-iraq-war/|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107172331/https://www.factcheck.org/2019/09/bidens-record-on-iraq-war/|url-status=live}}</ref> and supports a [[two-state solution]] in the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=December 12, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2021|url= https://www.jta.org/2019/12/12/united-states/where-does-joe-biden-stand-on-anti-semitism-israel-and-other-issues-that-matter-to-jewish-voters-in-2020|title=Where does Joe Biden stand on anti-Semitism, Israel and other issues that matter to Jewish voters in 2020?|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111070241/https://www.jta.org/2019/12/12/united-states/where-does-joe-biden-stand-on-anti-semitism-israel-and-other-issues-that-matter-to-jewish-voters-in-2020|archive-date=January 11, 2021|agency=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]}}</ref> Biden pledged to end U.S. support for the [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]] and to reevaluate the [[Saudi Arabia–United States relations|United States' relationship]] with [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref name="foreign-policy2">{{cite magazine|title=The Democratic candidates on foreign policy|magazine=[[Foreign Policy]]|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020-election/|archive-date=June 16, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616084737/https://foreignpolicy.com/2020-election/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Biden supported extending the [[New START]] arms control treaty with Russia to limit the number of [[nuclear weapon]]s deployed by both sides.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Jonathan|last1=Landay|first2=Arshad|last2=Mohammed |title=Biden urged to extend U.S.-Russia arms treaty for full 5 years without conditions |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-biden-armscontrol-idUSKBN2852Y0 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=November 25, 2020 |access-date=August 26, 2021 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512204150/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-biden-armscontrol-idUSKBN2852Y0 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Pifer |first1=Steven |title=Reviving nuclear arms control under Biden |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2020/12/01/reviving-nuclear-arms-control-under-biden/ |publisher=[[Brookings Institution]] |date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201173216/https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2020/12/01/reviving-nuclear-arms-control-under-biden/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, Biden officially [[Armenian genocide recognition|recognized]] the [[Armenian genocide]], becoming the first U.S. president to do so.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Kevin|last=Liptak|title=Biden officially recognizes the massacre of Armenians in World War I as a genocide|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/24/politics/armenian-genocide-biden-erdogan-turkey/index.html|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=April 24, 2021|access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref>{{efn|President [[Ronald Reagan]] referred to the Armenian genocide in passing in a 1981 statement on [[the Holocaust]], but he never formally recognized it.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Borger |first1=Julian |last2=Chulov |first2=Martin |title=Biden becomes first US president to recognise Armenian genocide |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/24/joe-biden-armenian-genocide-recognition |newspaper=The Observer |access-date=February 27, 2023 |date=April 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Blake |first1=Aaron |date=April 24, 2021 |title=Analysis {{!}} Biden goes where his predecessors wouldn't in recognizing Armenian genocide |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/04/22/bidens-bold-move-recognize-armenian-genocide/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=February 27, 2023}}</ref>}}

Biden supported [[Abortion-rights movements|abortion rights]] throughout his presidency, though he personally opposes abortion because of his Catholic faith.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Collins |first1=Michael |last2=Jackson |first2=David |title=Abortion shapes Joe Biden's and Donald Trump's legacies. It may help one of them win reelection. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/04/13/abortion-joe-biden-donald-trumps-legacies-reelection/73121953007/ |website=[[USA Today]] |date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=April 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Quinn |first1=Melissa |title=Biden says he's "not big on abortion" because of Catholic faith, but Roe "got it right" |publisher=[[CBS News]] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-biden-abortion-catholic-faith-roe-v-wade-got-it-right/ |access-date=April 16, 2024 |date=June 28, 2023}}</ref> In 2019, he said he supported ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' and repealing the [[Hyde Amendment]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Lerer|first=Lisa|date=March 29, 2019|title=When Joe Biden Voted to Let States Overturn Roe v. Wade|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/29/us/politics/biden-abortion-rights.html|access-date=August 8, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806121254/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/29/us/politics/biden-abortion-rights.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Siders |first=Dave |date=June 22, 2019 |title=Biden calls for enshrining Roe v. Wade in federal law |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/22/biden-roe-v-wade-2020-1376712 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402175549/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/22/biden-roe-v-wade-2020-1376712 |archive-date=April 2, 2020 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |newspaper=[[Politico]]}}</ref> After ''[[Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization]]'', he criticized [[Abortion law in the United States by state|near-total bans on abortion access]] passed in a majority of [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]-controlled states,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Leonhardt |first=David |date=April 6, 2023 |title=The Power and Limits of Abortion Politics |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/world/wisconsin-chicago-elections-abortion.html |access-date=April 7, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |quote=After the Supreme Court overturned Roe last June and allowed states to ban abortion, more than a dozen quickly imposed tight restrictions. Today, abortion is largely illegal in most of red America, even though polls suggest many voters in these states support at least some access.}}</ref> and took measures to protect [[Abortion in the United States|abortion rights in the United States]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Panetta |first=Grace |date=February 8, 2023 |title=Biden calls out abortion by name and skewers 'extreme' bans in State of the Union address |url=https://19thnews.org/2023/02/biden-abortion-state-of-the-union/ |access-date=April 10, 2023 |agency=The 19th}}</ref> Biden rejected calls to provide abortion services on [[Federal lands|federal land]].<ref>{{cite news|date=June 27, 2022 |title=White House downplays prospect of providing abortion services on federal lands |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/white-house-downplays-prospect-providing-abortion-services-federal-lan-rcna35594 |access-date=May 20, 2025 |publisher=NBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sullivan |first=Kate |date=June 28, 2022 |title=White House press secretary says using federal lands for abortion services would have 'dangerous ramifications' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/28/politics/white-house-federal-lands-abortion/index.html |access-date=May 20, 2025 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> He vowed to sign a bill codifying the protections of ''Roe'' into federal law; such a bill passed the House in 2022, but was unable to clear the Senate filibuster.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kinery |first=Emma |title=Biden promises to codify Roe if two more Democrats are elected to the Senate |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/23/biden-promises-to-codify-roe-if-two-more-democrats-are-elected-to-the-senate.html |access-date=May 13, 2023 |publisher=CNBC |date=September 23, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hutzler |first=Alexandra |title=House passes bills to codify Roe, protect interstate travel for abortion |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-vote-codifying-abortion-rights-travel-protections/story?id=86884239 |date=July 15, 2022 |access-date=May 13, 2023 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref>

== Public image == {{Main|Public image of Joe Biden}}

Biden was consistently ranked one of the least wealthy [[United States Senate|members of the Senate]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Wallsten|first=Peter|date=August 24, 2008|title=Demographics part of calculation: Biden adds experience, yes, but he could also help with Catholics, blue-collar whites and women|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-24-na-assess24-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=August 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515025410/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-24-na-assess24-story.html|archive-date=May 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Broder|first=John M.|date=September 13, 2008|title=Biden Releases Tax Returns, in Part to Pressure Rivals|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/us/politics/13biden.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425024153/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/us/politics/13biden.html|archive-date=April 25, 2011}}</ref> which he attributed to having been elected young.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mooney|first=Alexander|date=September 12, 2008|title=Biden tax returns revealed|publisher=[[CNN]]|url=https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/12/biden-tax-returns-revealed/|url-status=dead|access-date=September 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913001912/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/12/biden-tax-returns-revealed/|archive-date=September 13, 2008}}</ref> Feeling that less-wealthy public officials may be tempted to accept contributions in exchange for political favors, he proposed [[Campaign finance reform in the United States|campaign finance reform]] measures during his first term.<ref name="cby-44" /> While a senator, Biden was viewed as being close to the credit card company [[MBNA]], a major contributor to his campaigns since 1989, sometimes being called the "senator from MBNA".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Healy |first1=Patrick |last2=Luo |first2=Michael |date=August 23, 2008 |title=A Senate Stalwart Who Bounced Back |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24bio.html |access-date=May 19, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> {{As of|2009|November}}, Biden's net worth was $27,012.<ref>{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Montopoli|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/237-millionaires-in-congress/|title=237 Millionaires in Congress|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=November 6, 2009|access-date=August 25, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818145713/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/237-millionaires-in-congress/|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2020|November|alt=By November 2020}}, the Bidens were worth $9 million, largely due to sales of Biden's books and speaking fees after his vice presidency.<ref>{{cite web|date=January 7, 2020|access-date=August 25, 2021|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/joe-biden-net-worth-lifestyle-real-estate-family-wealth-assets-2020-1|title=President-elect Joe Biden just turned 78. Here's how he went from 'Middle-Class Joe' to millionaire.|first=Taylor|last=Borden|website=[[Business Insider]]|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319163402/https://www.businessinsider.com/joe-biden-net-worth-lifestyle-real-estate-family-wealth-assets-2020-1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2019/08/28/joe-bidens-net-worth-how-the-2020-presidential-candidate-built-a-9-million-fortune/|title=Here's How Much 2020 Presidential Candidate Joe Biden Is Worth|first=Michela|last=Tindera|date=August 28, 2019|access-date=August 24, 2021|magazine=[[Forbes]]|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319162048/https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2019/08/28/joe-bidens-net-worth-how-the-2020-presidential-candidate-built-a-9-million-fortune/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Political columnist [[David S. Broder]] wrote that Biden has grown over time: "He responds to real people—that's been consistent throughout. And his ability to understand himself and deal with other politicians has gotten much, much better."<ref name="watn020109" /> Journalist [[James Traub]] has written that "Biden is the kind of fundamentally happy person who can be as generous toward others as he is to himself".<ref name="nytm-traub" /> Particularly since the 2015 death of his elder son Beau, Biden has been noted for his empathetic nature and ability to communicate about grief.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Baldoni|first=John|title=How Empathy Defines Joe Biden|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnbaldoni/2020/08/20/how-empathy-defines-joe-biden/|date=August 20, 2020|access-date=March 17, 2021|magazine=[[Forbes]]|archive-date=June 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618172934/https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnbaldoni/2020/08/20/how-empathy-defines-joe-biden/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Nagle|first=Molly|date=December 19, 2020|title=Nearly 50 years after death of wife and daughter, empathy remains at Joe Biden's core|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/50-years-death-wife-daughter-empathy-remains-joe/story?id=74814251|access-date=March 17, 2021|agency=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302080416/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/50-years-death-wife-daughter-empathy-remains-joe/story?id=74814251|url-status=live}}</ref>

Journalist and TV anchor [[Wolf Blitzer]] has called Biden loquacious;<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=January 12, 2006|title=Transcripts|work=[[The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer|The Situation Room]]|publisher=CNN|url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0601/12/sitroom.01.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719103425/https://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0601/12/sitroom.01.html|archive-date=July 19, 2008}}</ref> journalist Mark Bowden has said that he is famous for "talking too much", leaning in close "like an old pal with something urgent to tell you".<ref name="The Atlantic" /> He often deviates from prepared remarks,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Smith|first=Ben|date=December 2, 2008|title=Biden, enemy of the prepared remarks|newspaper=[[Politico]]|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2008/12/biden-enemy-of-the-prepared-remarks-014500|url-status=live|access-date=December 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911131530/https://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2008/12/biden-enemy-of-the-prepared-remarks-014500|archive-date=September 11, 2015}}</ref> and sometimes "puts his foot in his mouth".<ref name="nyt-no2" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Tapper|first=Jake|author-link=Jake Tapper|date=January 31, 2007|title=A Biden Problem: Foot in Mouth|agency=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=2838420|url-status=live|access-date=September 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827211803/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=2838420|archive-date=August 27, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Halperin|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Halperin|date=August 23, 2008|title=Halperin on Biden: Pros and Cons|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=https://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1835480,00.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722092813/https://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1835480,00.html|archive-date=July 22, 2014}}</ref> Biden has a reputation for being prone to [[political gaffe|gaffes]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/joe-biden-news-joe-biden-gaffe-joe-biden-speech-mistakes-watch-joe-biden-in-latest-gaffe-has-two-words-to-say-made-in-america-101665383434183.html |access-date=August 23, 2023 |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |first=Mallika |last=Bhagat |title=Watch: Joe Biden's latest gaffe- a rocky start and a counting problem |quote='Let me start off with two words: Made in America' |date=October 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Luke |last=O'Neil |date=April 25, 2019 |title='I am a gaffe machine': a history of Joe Biden's biggest blunders |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/25/joe-biden-2020-public-gaffes-mistakes-history |access-date=January 26, 2021 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202133135/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/25/joe-biden-2020-public-gaffes-mistakes-history |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Broder |first=John M. |date=September 11, 2008 |title=Hanging On to Biden's Every Word: Biden living up to his gaffe-prone reputation |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/us/politics/12biden.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |quote=But, boy, does he say some curious things. A day on the campaign trail without a cringe-inducing gaffe is a rare blessing. He has not been too blessed lately.... a human verbal wrecking crew.}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' wrote that Biden's "weak filters make him capable of blurting out pretty much anything".<ref name="nyt-no2" />

According to ''The New York Times'', Biden often embellishes elements of his life or exaggerates, a trait also noted by ''[[The New Yorker]]'' in 2014.<ref name="The New Yorker">{{Cite magazine |last=Osnos |first=Evan |date=July 20, 2014 |title=The Evolution of Joe Biden |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/07/28/biden-agenda |access-date=December 6, 2022 |magazine=The New Yorker}}</ref><ref name="The New York Times">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Shear |first1=Michael D. |last2=Qiu |first2=Linda |date=October 10, 2022 |title=Biden, Storyteller in Chief, Spins Yarns That Often Unravel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/10/us/politics/biden-exaggeration-falsehood.html |accessdate=October 11, 2022 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> For instance, he has claimed to have been more active in the [[civil rights movement]] than he actually was, and has falsely recalled being an excellent student who earned three college degrees.<ref name="The New Yorker" /> The ''Times'' wrote, "Mr. Biden's folksiness can veer into folklore, with dates that don't quite add up and details that are exaggerated or wrong, the factual edges shaved off to make them more powerful for audiences."<ref name="The New York Times" />

=== Job approval === {{See also|2021 opinion polling on the Biden administration|l1=2021|2022 opinion polling on the Biden administration|l2=2022|2023 opinion polling on the Biden administration|l3=2023|2024–2025 opinion polling on the Biden administration}}

According to [[Morning Consult]] polling, Biden maintained an [[Opinion poll|approval rating]] above 50% during his presidency's first eight months. In August 2021, it began to decline, reaching the low forties by December.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Jones |first=Jeffrey M. |date=December 21, 2021 |title=Joe Biden's Job Approval Rating Steady in December |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/358343/joe-biden-job-approval-rating-steady-december.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123222342/https://news.gallup.com/poll/358343/joe-biden-job-approval-rating-steady-december.aspx |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |access-date=February 2, 2022 |publisher=[[Gallup, Inc.]]}}</ref> This was attributed to the Afghanistan withdrawal, increasing hospitalizations from the [[SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant|Delta variant]], [[2021–2023 inflation surge|high inflation and gas prices]], disarray within the Democratic Party, and a general decline in popularity customary in politics.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{cite web|last1=Frostenson |first1=Sarah |date=October 12, 2021 |title=Why Has Biden's Approval Rating Gotten So Low So Quickly? |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-has-bidens-approval-rating-gotten-so-low-so-quickly/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012100615/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-has-bidens-approval-rating-gotten-so-low-so-quickly/ |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=[[FiveThirtyEight]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Graham |first1=David A. |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Six Theories of Joe Biden's Crumbling Popularity |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/11/biden-approval-rating/620751/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112230703/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/11/biden-approval-rating/620751/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |magazine=[[The Atlantic]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rupar |first1=Aaron |date=September 20, 2021 |title=Why Biden's approval numbers have sagged, explained by an expert |url=https://www.vox.com/2021/9/20/22678173/biden-polls-approval-rating-morning-consult |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028195231/https://www.vox.com/2021/9/20/22678173/biden-polls-approval-rating-morning-consult |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Montanaro |first1=Domenico |date=September 2, 2021 |title=Biden's Approval Rating Hits A New Low After The Afghanistan Withdrawal |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/09/02/1033433959/biden-approval-rating-afghanistan-withdrawal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027035207/https://www.npr.org/2021/09/02/1033433959/biden-approval-rating-afghanistan-withdrawal |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref>}} In 2023, Biden's approval rating was the lowest of any modern{{efn|The source defines "modern" presidents as all seven presidents before Biden, or presidents since 1979: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.|name=}} U.S. president after three years in office.<ref name="gallup2023end">{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/547763/biden-ends-2023-job-approval.aspx|title=Biden Ends 2023 With 39% Job Approval|first=Megan|last=Brenan|date=December 22, 2023|publisher=Gallup, Inc.}}</ref>

[[Gallup, Inc.]] found Biden's approval ratings to be consistently above 50% during his first few months in office,<ref name="Gallup Approval">{{cite web|first=Jeffrey M.|last=Jones|date=February 4, 2021|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/329348/biden-begins-term-job-approval.aspx|title=Biden Begins Term With 57% Job Approval|publisher= [[Gallup, Inc.]]|accessdate=November 9, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Saad |first=Lydia |date=April 23, 2021 |title=Biden Job Approval a Respectable 57% at 100 Days |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/348974/biden-job-approval-respectable-100-days.aspx |access-date=October 1, 2021 |publisher=[[Gallup, Inc.]]}}</ref> but by August, his ratings began to decline.<ref>{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Cillizza|authorlink=Chris Cillizza|date=August 18, 2021|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/18/politics/joe-biden-polls-president-afghanistan/index.html|title=Joe Biden's political honeymoon is officially over|agency=[[CNN]]|accessdate=November 9, 2024}}</ref> He had a 98% approval rating from Democrats in February 2021, but by December only 78% approved of his presidency.<ref name="BidenGallup">{{cite web|title=Presidential Job Approval Center |url=https://news.gallup.com/interactives/185273/presidential-job-approval-center.aspx |access-date=July 31, 2022 |publisher=[[Gallup, Inc.]]}}</ref><ref name="Gallup Approval" /> By October 2023, his rating among Democrats had reached a record low of 75%.<ref name="gallup2023end" /><ref>{{cite web|first=Megan|last=Brenan|date=October 26, 2023|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/513305/democrats-ratings-biden-slip-overall-approval.aspx|title=Democrats' Rating of Biden Slips; Overall Approval at 37%|publisher=[[Gallup, Inc.]]|accessdate=November 9, 2024}}</ref> His approval rating among Republicans has been consistently in the single digits, aside from his first few months in office.<ref name="BidenGallup" /> Additionally, Gallup noted that Biden's public support eroded each year he was in office: he averaged 49% approval in his first year,<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeffrey M.|last=Jones|date=January 18, 2022|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/389033/biden-year-one-approval-ratings-subpar-extremely-polarized.aspx|title=Biden Year One Approval Ratings Subpar, Extremely Polarized|publisher=[[Gallup, Inc.]]|accessdate=November 9, 2024}}</ref> 41% in his second,<ref>{{cite web|last=Jones |first=Jeffrey M. |date=January 25, 2023 |title=Biden Averaged 41% Job Approval in His Second Year |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/468806/biden-averaged-job-approval-second-year.aspx |access-date=January 9, 2024 |publisher=[[Gallup, Inc.]]}}</ref> 40% in his third,<ref>{{cite web|last=Jones |first=Jeffrey M. |date=January 25, 2024 |title=Biden's Third-Year Job Approval Average of 39.8% Second Worst |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/609188/biden-third-year-job-approval-average-second-worst.aspx |access-date=January 28, 2024 |publisher=[[Gallup, Inc.]]}}</ref> and 39% in his fourth.<ref name="gallup20250117" /> In July 2024, just before he withdrew from the 2024 presidential election, Gallup found his approval rating had fallen to an all-time low of 36%.<ref>{{cite web|first=Megan |last=Brenan |date=July 23, 2024 |title=Biden's Approval Rating Hit New Low Before Exit From Race|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/647633/biden-approval-rating-hit-new-low-exit-race.aspx|access-date=July 31, 2024 |publisher=[[Gallup, Inc.]]}}</ref> Gallup found that Biden had an average approval rating of 42.2% throughout his presidency, which was lower than all other presidents' except Trump's first term, at 41.1%. Biden's final approval rating in January 2025 was 40%, which was low but still higher than several other presidents' final approval ratings.<ref name="gallup20250117" /> Gallup's averaged polls of Biden's presidency found that he was the second-least popular president in its polling history, ahead of Trump.<ref name="gallup20250117">{{cite web|last=Jones |first=Jeffrey M. |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Biden Job Approval Second Lowest Among Post-WWII Presidents |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/655298/biden-job-approval-second-lowest-among-post-wwii-presidents.aspx |access-date=March 14, 2025 |publisher=[[Gallup, Inc.]]}}</ref>

CNN and CBS News found Biden's final approval rating to be 37% and 36%, respectively.<ref>{{cite news|last1=De Pinto |first1=Jennifer |last2=Salvanto |first2=Anthony |last3=Backus |first3=Fred |last4=Khanna |first4=Kabir |date=January 19, 2025 |title=Biden's presidency viewed negatively by most Americans — CBS News poll |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-presidency-opinion-poll-2025-01-19/ |access-date=March 14, 2025 |publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Agiesta |first=Jennifer |date=January 15, 2025 |title=CNN Poll: Biden leaves office with his approval rating matching the lowest of his term |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/15/politics/cnn-poll-biden-presidency/index.html |access-date=March 14, 2025 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Polling aggregator [[FiveThirtyEight]] found that Biden had a final average approval rating of 37%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-approval-rating/|title=How popular is Joe Biden?|website=FiveThirtyEight|access-date=February 3, 2025|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204153001/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-approval-rating/ |archive-date=February 4, 2025}}</ref>

=== Media depictions === {{See also|Saturday Night Live parodies of Joe Biden|l1=''Saturday Night Live'' parodies of Joe Biden}} Nine men have portrayed Biden on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', starting with [[Kevin Nealon]] in 1991. [[Jason Sudeikis]] portrayed Biden during the 2008 election and reprised the role many times. During the 2020 election, Biden was played by [[John Mulaney]], [[Alex Moffat]], [[Mikey Day]], [[Woody Harrelson]], and [[Jim Carrey]]. In 2024, [[Dana Carvey]] played the role.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url= https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/joe-biden-snl-actors|title= Everyone Who Has Played Joe Biden on SNL|publisher= [[NBC]]|date= September 27, 2024|accessdate= October 12, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/saturday-night-live-nate-bargatze-dana-carvey|title= Dana Carvey's Joe Biden Is the Real Star of 'Saturday Night Live'|magazine= Vanity Fair|accessdate= October 12, 2024}}</ref> In 2016, [[Greg Kinnear]] portrayed Biden in the [[HBO]] television film ''[[Confirmation (film)|Confirmation]]'', about the [[Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination|Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination hearings]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Miller |first=Liz Shannon |date=June 10, 2016 |title=Greg Kinnear Doesn't Do Impressions, But He Did Channel Joe Biden in 'Confirmation' (Consider This) |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/greg-kinnear-joe-biden-confirmation-emmys-1201682835/ |access-date=November 10, 2024 |website=IndieWire}}</ref>

Biden appears in episodes of ''[[Parks and Recreation]]'' during his time as vice president.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/tv/article/Parks-and-Rec-nbc-joe-biden-leslie-knope-15516894.php|title=According to 'Parks and Rec' creator, President Biden is a great actor|first=Dan|last=Gentile|publisher=[[SFGate]]|website=sfgate.com|access-date=October 16, 2025|date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> He appears as himself in a 2016 episode of ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit|Law & Order: SVU]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/09/29/joe-biden-law--order-svu-cameo/91261270/|title=The internet is here for Joe Biden's cameo on 'Law & Order: SVU'|first=Erin|last=Jensen|publisher=[[USA Today]]|website=usatoday.com|access-date=October 16, 2025|date=September 29, 2016}}</ref>

''[[The Onion]]'' featured a series of articles about a [[Joe Biden (The Onion)|fictionalized Joe Biden]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Joe Biden| work=[[The Onion]]| url=https://theonion.com/tag/joe-biden/page/22/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Rollins| first=Samantha| title=The 6 Best Onion Parodies of Joe Biden| work=[[The Week]]| date=January 8, 2015| url=https://theweek.com/articles/468552/6-best-onion-parodies-joe-biden}}</ref>

== Assessments == A December 2024 Gallup poll found that 54% of Americans thought Biden's presidency was below average or poor, 26% average, and 19% above average or outstanding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/654878/americans-think-history-rate-biden-presidency-negatively.aspx|title=Americans Think History Will Rate Biden Presidency Negatively|date=January 7, 2025|publisher=Gallup, Inc.|first1=Jeffrey M.|last1=Jones|access-date=January 10, 2025}}</ref> Gallup found that Americans largely offered negative assessments of Biden's presidency on economic, national, and international issues. Of 18 issue areas Gallup tracked, a majority of Americans said the U.S. lost ground in six, including the economy in general, immigration, and the country's position in the world. A plurality found that the U.S. declined in six other areas, including national infrastructure and energy, education, and trade relations with other countries. A plurality felt the U.S. made progress in only one indicator under Biden: the conditions of [[LGBTQ people|gay, lesbian, and transgender people]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/655112/americans-little-progress-key-areas-biden.aspx |title=Americans See Little Progress in Key Areas Under Biden |date=January 14, 2025 |publisher=Gallup, Inc. |first1=Megan |last1=Brenan |access-date=January 15, 2025 |quote=More think the U.S. lost than gained ground in a majority of economic, national and international areas}}</ref>

Journalist [[Amy Walter]], editor of the nonpartisan ''[[The Cook Political Report]]'', argued that the public deemed Biden's presidency a failure particularly due to frustration over inflation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walter |first1=Amy |date=December 11, 2024 |title=Democrats' Solution For Winning in 2028 Won't Come From Over-Analyzing 2024 Results |url=https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/national/national-politics/democrats-solution-winning-2028-wont-come-over-analyzing-2024?check_logged_in=1 |access-date=December 11, 2024 |website=The Cook Political Report}}</ref> Economists debate the extent to which Biden's policies were responsible for inflation,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|magazine|url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/post-neoliberal-delusion|title=The Post-Neoliberal Delusion and the Tragedy of Bidenomics|first1=Jason|last1=Furman|date=February 10, 2025|access-date=February 10, 2025|quote=Jason Furman is Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy at Harvard University. He was Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers from 2013 to 2017.|website=Foreign Affairs|volume=104|issue=2}}</ref> but according to Gallup, public perception of the economy in 2024 was worse only in 2008 and 1992, helping Trump win the 2024 presidential election.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/653303/political-fundamentals-foreshadowed-trump-victory.aspx|title=Political Fundamentals Foreshadowed Trump Victory|date=November 8, 2024|access-date=November 15, 2024|publisher=Gallup, Inc.|first1=Megan|last1=Brenan|first2=Jeffrey M.|last2=Jones|first3=Lydia|last3=Saad}}</ref>

The [[Siena College Research Institute]]'s 2022 survey [[Historical rankings of presidents of the United States#2022 Siena College|ranked Biden]] 19th out of 45 presidents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scri.siena.edu/2022/06/22/american-presidents-greatest-and-worst/|title=American Presidents: Greatest and Worst|publisher=[[Siena College Research Institute]]|date=June 22, 2022|access-date=January 20, 2025}}</ref> The 2024 ''Presidential Greatness Project Expert'' survey ranked Biden 14th.<ref name="bc">{{cite web |last=Chappell |first=Bill |date=February 19, 2024 |title=In historians' Presidents Day survey, Biden vs. Trump is not a close call |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/02/19/1232447088/historians-presidents-survey-trump-last-biden-14th |access-date=August 23, 2025 |publisher=NPR}}</ref> A February 2024 [[American Political Science Association]] poll of historians and scholars also ranked Biden the 14th-greatest president, diverging from public assessments. The pollsters noted that Biden's ranking was unusually high for a presidency without military victories or institutional expansion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Peter |date=February 18, 2024 |title=Poll Ranks Biden as 14th-Best President, With Trump Last |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/18/us/politics/biden-trump-presidential-rankings.html |access-date=August 23, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Vaughn |first1=Justin |last2=Rottinghaus |first2=Brandon |date=February 18, 2024 |title=Opinion: We know how voters feel about Trump and Biden. But how do the experts rank their presidencies? |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-02-18/trump-biden-presidents-day-ranking-poll-election-2024 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name="bc" />

When Biden left office in 2025, journalists and many Democrats viewed his presidency as a failure due to [[Age and health concerns about Joe Biden|age and health concerns]], public frustration over inflation, and Harris's loss to Trump in the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 presidential election]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.vox.com/politics/394712/joe-biden-president-legacy-inflation-manchin|title=The president who could not choose|date=January 14, 2025|access-date=January 16, 2025|website=Vox|first1=Dylan|last1=Matthews}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' called the conclusion of Biden's presidency a "tragedy".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/jan/18/biden-presidency-legacy-trump-election|title=An American tragedy: how Biden paved the way for Trump's White House return|first1=David|last1=Smith|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=January 18, 2025|date=January 18, 2025|quote=To admirers, Biden will remain one of the most consequential one-term presidents in US history - to detractors, he was undone by a fatal flaw.}}</ref> == See also == * [[Bibliography of Joe Biden]] * [[Electoral history of Joe Biden]] * [[List of presidents of the United States]] * [[List of presidents of the United States by previous experience]] * [[List of things named after Joe Biden]]

== Notes == <templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" /><div class="reflist reflist-lower-alpha"><references group="lower-alpha" /></div>

== References == === Citations === {{reflist}}

=== Works cited === {{refbegin|30em}} * {{cite book|last=Bronner |first=Ethan |author-link=Ethan Bronner |title=Battle for Justice: How the Bork Nomination Shook America |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |year=1989 |isbn=978-0-393-02690-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/battleforjustice00bron_0}} * {{cite book|last=Gadsden |first=Brett |title=Between North and South: Delaware, Desegregation, and the Myth of American Sectionalism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZFQE3bLDsS4C |date=October 8, 2012 |publisher=[[University of Pennsylvania Press]] |isbn=978-0-8122-0797-2}} * {{cite book|last1=Mayer |first1=Jane |author-link=Jane Mayer |last2=Abramson |first2=Jill |author-link2=Jill Abramson |title=Strange Justice: The Selling of Clarence Thomas |publisher=Houghton Mifflin |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-395-63318-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/strangejusticese00maye}} * {{cite book|first=Richard |last=Wolffe |author-link=Richard Wolffe |title=Renegade: The Making of a President |publisher=Crown Publishers |location=New York |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-307-46312-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/renegademakingof00wolf}} * {{cite book|last=Taylor |first=Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JMxWRDTR_sMC |title=See How They Run: Electing the President in an Age of Mediaocracy |publisher=Alfred A. Knopf |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-394-57059-4 }} * {{cite book|last=Witcover |first=Jules |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780061791987 |title=Joe Biden: A Life of Trial and Redemption |publisher=William Morrow |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-06-179198-7 |location=New York City |author-link=Jules Witcover }} {{refend}}

== Further reading == {{refbegin}} * {{cite book |last1=Barone |first1=Michael |author-link=Michael Barone (pundit) |first2=Richard E. |last2=Cohen |author-link2=Richard E. Cohen |year=2008 |title=The Almanac of American Politics |url=https://archive.org/details/almanacofamerica00mich_0/ |url-access=registration |publisher=[[National Journal Group]] |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-89234-116-0}} * {{Cite magazine |last=Draper |first=Robert |date=August 18, 2024 |title=Joe Biden's Interrupted Presidency |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/18/magazine/joe-biden-president-legacy.html |access-date=August 18, 2024 |magazine=The New York Times Magazine}} * {{cite book |last1=Levingston |first1=Steven |last2=Dyson |first2=Michael |year=2019 |title=Barack and Joe: The Making of an Extraordinary Partnership |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rqyHDwAAQBAJ |publisher=[[Hachette Books]] |location=New York |isbn=978-0-316-48788-7}} * {{cite book |editor-first=Charles |editor-last=Moritz |year=1987 |title=Current Biography Yearbook 1987 |title-link=Current Biography |publisher=[[H. W. Wilson Company]] |location=New York}} * {{cite book |last=Whipple |first=Chris |author-link=Chris Whipple |year=2023 |title=The Fight of His Life: Inside Joe Biden's White House |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1CWjEAAAQBAJ |publisher=[[Charles Scribner's Sons|Scribner]] |location=New York |isbn=978-1-9821-0643-0}} * {{cite book |first1=Jake |last1=Tapper |first2=Alex |last2=Thompson |year=2025 |title=Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again |url=https://www.amazon.com/Original-Sin-President-Cover-Up-Disastrous/dp/B0DTYKCJC9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1784LIFUUL48Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-qub6thm8G1IE4xnqWviw5duNoSTC8CeF3tTRrwOd003zG-xZ0TrSxwM7Wnd7gO8HLTwvO5PcMNlyFuOguZ5N3fvCwLYpfnttY0bIRl2AmRZvq5DfIL3AN-wZTulKl-SaBJ6R5w_evBLvkW3RhtbNoDPmviTQQTm2OxhmCpuCZi4a10fB1Xvkmx9c5QsR62qAg4I519j9LljFeYDSIM--4VlJpsXBCvYROufvKjQJFc.ksxV2RKkwpPKVNzhaopOV2RlZJrfLUAAym4VYPI_UZk&dib_tag=se&keywords=original+sin&qid=1740800556&sprefix=original+sin%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1 |publisher=[[Penguin Press]] |location=New York |isbn=979-8217060672}} {{refend}}

== External links == {{#invoke:Sister project links|main |auto=yes}} {{Library resources box|onlinebooks=yes|by=yes}}

=== Official === * [https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/president-biden/ President Joe Biden] official website (archived) * {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718211814/https://joebiden.com/ |date=July 18, 2024 |title=Presidential campaign website}} * [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/vp Obama White House biography] (archived) * [https://www.congress.gov/member/joseph-biden/B000444 Senator Joseph R. Biden] (1973–2009)

=== Other === * {{C-SPAN|34}} * {{New York Times topic|people/b/joseph_r_jr_biden|Joe Biden}} * [https://www.ontheissues.org/joe_biden.htm Joe Biden] at [[On the Issues]] * [https://www.politifact.com/personalities/joe-biden/ Joe Biden] at [[PolitiFact]]

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