"My fellow Americans, I close today where I began, with a sacred oath. Before God and all of you, I give you my word. I will always level with you. I will defend the Constitution. I will defend our democracy. I will defend America. I will give my all in your service thinking not of power, but of possibilities. Not of personal interest, but of the public good. And together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear." These words were not spoken as Biden withdrew from the race, but were part of his inaugural address as the 46th President of the United States.
Biden's path to the White House was paved by decades of experience in Washington. After serving as a Senator from Delaware and two terms as Barack Obama's Vice President, he emerged victorious from a heated 2020 election against former President Donald Trump.
"A Cabinet that looks like America"
Upon taking office, Biden assembled what he called "a Cabinet that looks like America," incorporating representatives from various groups in American society – including women, black Americans, Latinos, and LGBTQ+ individuals. In his first months in office, he focused on the COVID-19 pandemic that was still raging worldwide and significantly impacting one of the world's most important economies. He initially allocated about $1.9 trillion to stimulate the economy in the wake of the pandemic, despite widespread Republican opposition. He swiftly reversed several of his predecessor's policies, including rejoining the Paris Agreement, lifting the travel ban from several Muslim-majority countries, and halting construction of the US-Mexico border wall
The President also spearheaded his economic plan "Bidenomics," aimed to create jobs and expand healthcare access. A key achievement was the passage of the CHIPS Act, designed to boost domestic semiconductor production and reduce dependence on China. However, Biden's administration has grappled with persistent inflation and rising prices, even as it touts job creation and lower unemployment rates. Nevertheless, in February, he boasted that his administration had created about 14.8 million new jobs and lowered the overall unemployment rate.
Geopolitical alliances, Zelenskyy, and Israel
In foreign policy, Biden has championed multilateralism and strategic alliances. He supported the US return to the nuclear deal with Iran if the latter fulfilled its commitments under the agreement, which ultimately did not happen. Biden has spoken numerous times about the Iranian nuclear issue, making it clear that Tehran will never have a nuclear weapon as long as he is in the White House.
After about a year in office, Biden decided to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan, leading to the return of Taliban rule and, most notably, the infamous images of the hasty exit of forces alongside attempts by residents to flee the country.
During Biden's term, two major wars broke out on the world stage – Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Israel's war against Hamas. In response to Ukraine, Biden orchestrated sweeping sanctions against Russia and rallied Western support for Kyiv. Following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Biden stood firmly with Israel while working to prevent regional escalation. His warning to potential interventionists – "To anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: Don't" – became an iconic moment of his presidency.
The US-China rivalry has remained a central focus, with Biden forging the AUKUS alliance with Britain and Australia to counter Beijing's influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Domestically, the ongoing immigration crisis at the southern border has posed significant challenges. The influx of migrants into major cities has fueled political debates and became a contentious issue in the lead-up to the presidential election.
As Biden's term progresses, his legacy will likely be shaped by his handling of these multifaceted challenges, from pandemic recovery to geopolitical crises and domestic policy reforms.
