Bye, Biden! The Milestones of his Mandate
By Margaux Baudry, Read: 4 minutes
On January 20th, 2025, Biden gave the keys to the Oval Office back to his predecessor President Trump. Joe Biden was elected on the 3rd of November 2020 and took possession of the White House on January 20th, 2021. His campaign became the 1st in history to raise over $1 billion from donors. He defeated Trump 306-232 in the Electoral College and had a 4-point margin in the popular vote.
After 4 years as the head of the United States, here is a summary of his mandate!
Biden’s Mandate by Numbers (numbers from October 2024):
Jobs and Unemployment: The US created more than 15 million jobs between January 2021 and September 2024. The rate of unemployment is 4.1%, it has dropped and stayed lower longer than during any previous administration. In January and May 2023, it reached 3.4%, the lowest since May 1969.
Wages and Inflation: Prices spiked, and inflation reached its highest level in over 40 years, with the Consumer Price Index increasing by 19.9% and gasoline prices by 33.3%. After adjusting for inflation, “real” weekly earnings have dropped 1.8%. Inflation was identified by 41% of Americans polled in May 2024 as their biggest financial worry.
Crime (according to the FBI): From 2020 to 2023, the number of murders dropped by 14.5%; the aggravated assault rate decreased by 13.6 points; and the property crime rate dropped by 50.2 points. However, the motor vehicle theft rate increased by 70.6 points.
Home prices and Homeownership: From January 2021 to June 2024, house prices have increased by 37%. Hence, the preliminary median sales price of existing single-family homes went from $432, 900 to $308, 000. However, the rate of homeownership has stayed stable, decreasing 0,2%.
Health Insurance: From 2020 to 2023, the number of uninsured Americans decreased from 9.7% to 7.6% (-6.6 million people).
Refugees: More than 100,000 refugees resettled in the US in the fiscal year 2024 (which ended in September), the largest number in 30 years. However , the number is lower than the 125, 000 refugees that Biden pledged to accept as a candidate. Overall, during Biden’s full 44 months in office, 195, 521 refugees were admitted. That’s a monthly average of 4,444 refugees, 141% higher than Trump’s monthly average.
A list of the Biden-Harris Administration Record can be found on the website of the White House. As well as a -very- emotional letter from the former President himself, where he declares:
“America is an idea stronger than any army and larger than any ocean. It’s the most powerful idea in the history of the world.”
On a less dramatic note, here is the Hit or Miss list from the 2021-2025 mandate.
The Hits from Biden’s Mandate
Biden’s mandate started during the second wave of COVID, during which his administration managed to articulate a clear, logical plan and implement an effective vaccine rollout.
He also managed to double the number of Americans who have access to affordable healthcare through the American Rescue Plan. Nearly 24 million Americans enrolled for Affordable Care Act health insurance for 2025, compared to the 12 million who signed up during the last year of the Trump administration.
Polls from August 2024 showcase that Biden’s sustained support towards Ukraine has been welcomed with open arms. Not only are the majority of Americans more favorable to Ukraine than to Russia, but more Americans want to maintain this support for as long as it takes!
The Misses from Biden’s Mandate
However, Biden’s administration failed in the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Although the US’s removal was decided during Trump’s mandate and 54% of those polled agreed with the withdrawal, 69% agreed the evacuation under Bien was poorly handled.
Moreover, Biden has not succeeded in controlling illegal migration, despite trying to push several bills such as the US Citizenship Act.
Finally, Biden’s biggest “miss” was his refusal to withdraw from his presidential campaign, even when significant donors and Democrats refused to support him. It left his legacy somewhat tarnished and the images of him struggling at the debate won’t easily fade from people’s memory…
Hence, Biden’s mandate -or Trump’s “vacation” between 2 presidencies- will be remembered by: the time he mistakenly called President Zelensky “President Putin” during a Nato summit and the time he mistakenly called Vice President Harris “Vice President Trump". Let’s just say, it is high time he took some days off… More seriously, whether you view it as progress or stagnation, Biden's presidency has undoubtedly left its mark on the fabric of American politics. Now, as he steps aside, the nation prepares for yet another chapter in its tumultuous and unpredictable story.
