Let’s stop and, roughly halfway through his term, and take a look at how Biden has handled the Presidency, breaking down his accomplishments and missteps, grading each.
Foreign
Policy and Military
Climate Change: This is the really big win. Reducing American emissions by 40% by 2030 is a major victory, and the looming existential threat of climate disaster seems like less of an apocalyptic reality than it did just a year ago. It was a game changer – more electric cars, clean air provisions, and renewable energy priorities (the bill also reduces drug prices). Manchin and Sinema weakened it, of course, but overall this was a success – as was the U.S. rejoining the Paris Climate accords, after Trump had reneged on our commitment. 27/30: A-
Afghanistan: While Americans agree that the U.S. couldn’t remain in Afghanistan, they also agree that the withdrawal was a mess. Reminiscent of the Fall of Saigon, it was tragic to see the Taliban regain control so quickly – and women’s rights, especially, were devastating to watch as they eroded. Yes, the occupation had to end, but this was not what anyone wanted. 13/20: D
Ukraine: When Putin decided to invade their neighbor, the U.S. came to their aid, and has been a major supporter of president Zelensky, as well as a major arms dealer. Strong sanctions also helped. Thanks to American muscle, Ukraine did not fold. The response to the war also strengthened both NATO and the EU – a major achievement. How the war will end is yet to be seen, but at this stage, this is one of the best-hoped-for outcomes. 20/20: A
Al-Zawahiri: One of the leaders of Al-Qaeda, the assassination of Zawahiri did send a strong message to the world, and Afghanistan in particular, that America is still committed to minimizing the effects of terrorism, and seeking retribution for Osama bin Laden’s closest allies. 9/10: A-
China and Saudi Arabia: Biden had two tricky foreign policy PR moments to navigate. The first was when Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi rather recklessly visited Taiwan. It could have been worse, and some credit is due for avoiding a bigger scandal, but China withdrew from major points of cooperation, and relations soured to their worst levels in decades. In Saudi Arabia meanwhile, giving a fist bump to murderous dictator MBS was not a great look. 6/10: D-
Immigration:
Biden stopped the border wall “state of emergency” and rolled back a lot of the
most draconian policies of the Trump administration – but hasn’t replaced it
with anything meaningful or made any improvements to handle a crisis that has
existed since before the Trump era. It’s better than a few years ago, but still
not great. 7/10: C-
Overall
Foreign Policy and Military grade: 82/100: B-
Domestic
Policy
Pandemic Response: This was a huge challenge, right out the gate. The vaccine rollout took up much of 2020 and 2021 – we can now safely say Covid is endemic. Most Americans got the jabs, and for free, and the government also gave free testing kits, and continues to do so. Schools reopened, and hospitals stopped looking like war zones. There’s still vaccine hesitancy, though, especially in the under-5 category. 26/30: B+
Infrastructure Bill: Long overdue, a massive investment in infrastructure was needed. A better electrical grid, clean water resources, rail investment, and even broadband internet access provisions. Our infrastructure needed help, and it (mostly) got it. 18/20: A-
Gun Legislation: After Uvalde Congress finally took action, ending decades of obstruction. More background checks, a partial close to the “boyfriend loophole”, better red flag laws, and mental health services for those affected by gun violence. That said, it didn’t tackle the critical, and much bigger issue of assault weapons. 15/20: C
Chips Act: A bipartisan bill that produces more semiconductor chips in the United States, to address the shortages and build up manufacturing, lessening reliance on China. 10/10: A
Supreme Court Appointments: Ketanji Brown Jackson becomes the first black female justice, and was exceptionally qualified for the job. She replaced Stephen Breyer – a reliably liberal seat. 10/10: A
Juneteenth National Independence Day and Anti-lynching Act: The first new public holiday since the 1980s. Nice. Meanwhile, incredibly, lynching was not classified as a federal crime until this Presidency 5/5: A
Abortion
Rights: Admittedly, there is not a lot the Executive branch can do about
abortion rights. In the wake of the Dobbs disaster, Biden’s response was slow
and, to many, inadequate. As always, at the start of his Presidency the rights
and funding were restored for NGOs abroad, after the Trump years. Some abortion
safeguards were made for federal workers, but a far more aggressive push to
protect bodily autonomy was – and still is – needed. 2/5: F
Overall
Domestic Policy grade: 86/100: B/B+
Economy
American Recovery Act: Designed to specifically address issues of the pandemic’s economic toll, this blockbuster gave a lifeline to the Americans who needed it. The Child Care Tax Credit, alone, was a monumental policy decision, that brought ½ of American children out of poverty – at least through 2021. It was good, if something of a mixed bag. 22/25: B+
Inflation and Supply Chain: This was bad, and things became unmanageable for a few months there. Gas prices, food prices, the basics skyrocketed – but this wasn’t like the 70s, where it lasted for years. Yes, inflation spiked, and part of that was due to Biden’s policies, but a lot was also due to Ukraine and the supply chain. Things have cooled down significantly, and so hopefully the aberration is now over. 19/25: C+
Unemployment and Workplace Transitions: Unemployment levels are at the lowest they’ve been in decades. We recovered the jobs lost from the pandemic and then some. That has allowed workers to be choosy and demand better wages and more flexibility, hopefully with companies taking a more relaxed line with hybrid and at-home working models. We’ll see how it shakes out for now, but Biden’s economic recovery deserves the credit for lowest unemployment in half a century. 20/20: A
Student Loan Forgiveness: This was huge – for the first years of his Presidency Biden paused federal loans, and then forgave $10,000 including reimbursements if you paid them off during the pause. About 1 in 5 people with federal loans will have their debt entirely or nearly entirely wiped out. Debt has been a shackle for a generation and this will significantly help. For those with greater amounts, it still gets rid of years payments down the line, and the accumulated interest that would have cost. 17/20: B
Unionization:
It’s really great to have a pro-labor President in the White House. After
decades of union decline, the service sector (Starbucks) and retail (Amazon)
are starting to unionize, secure in their knowledge that the Federal Government
supports them. Biden also secured a $15 minimum wage for all federal employees.
More to come on this front, hopefully. 8/10: B-
Overall
Economy grade: 85/100: B
So, all
told, as we add up Biden’s first two years (so far) we have an 82, 85, and 86 –
an 84% overall, just about a B. Definite missteps and problems (Afghanistan, inadequate
abortion response) but overall lots of successes (unemployment, climate
change). At this moment in time, Biden’s legacy (if not his popularity) seems decidedly
solid. If Trump had been reelected I seriously doubt he’d have earned even a
20/100 overall.
