Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Joe Biden

1 day ago : Biden slams Trump's rhetoric, defends Democratic party, and discusses future.

Joe Biden criticizes Trump's presidential conduct, questioning his rhetoric in a BBC interview. He also suggests Democrats wouldn't have won even if he withdrew sooner. Biden defends his actions and discusses current political issues.

1934: Midterm Election Performance

The 2022 midterm election was the first since 1934 in which the president's party lost no state legislative chambers.

1968: Humphrey loses election to Nixon

In 1968, Hubert Humphrey lost the presidential election to Richard Nixon.

1968: Clerked at a Wilmington Law Firm

In 1968, Joe Biden clerked at a Wilmington law firm headed by Republican William Prickett.

1969: Practiced Law and Joined the Democratic Forum

In 1969, Joe Biden practiced law, first as a public defender and then at a law firm, and joined the Democratic Forum.

1969: Admitted to Delaware Bar

In 1969, Joe Biden was admitted to the Delaware bar.

1970: Biden ran for the New Castle County Council

In 1970, Joe Biden ran for the fourth district seat on the New Castle County Council.

1970: Elected to New Castle County Council

In 1970, Joe Biden was elected to the New Castle County Council.

January 5, 1971: Took office on the New Castle County Council

On January 5, 1971, Joe Biden took office on the New Castle County Council.

1972: Elected as U.S. Senator from Delaware

In 1972, Joe Biden was elected as the junior U.S. Senator from Delaware, defeating Republican incumbent J. Caleb Boggs.

1972: Elected to the U.S. Senate

In 1972, Joe Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate.

January 1, 1973: End of term on the New Castle County Council

On January 1, 1973, Joe Biden's term on the New Castle County Council ended.

1973: Biden began serving as a U.S. Senator for Delaware

In 1973, Joe Biden began representing Delaware in the U.S. Senate.

1976: Endorsed Jimmy Carter for president

In 1976, Joe Biden was the first U.S. senator to endorse Governor Jimmy Carter for president in the Democratic primary.

1978: Reelected to the U.S. Senate

In 1978, Joe Biden was reelected to the U.S. Senate.

1979: Arms control work with Soviet foreign minister Andrei Gromyko

In 1979, after Congress failed to ratify the SALT II Treaty, Joe Biden met with Soviet foreign minister Andrei Gromyko and secured changes.

1980: Carter Lost a Contest While Appearing on the Ballot

In 1980, Jimmy Carter lost a contest while appearing on the ballot. Biden lost the American Samoa contest to venture capitalist Jason Palmer, becoming the first incumbent president to lose a contest while appearing on the ballot since Jimmy Carter.

1980: Carter loses reelection to Reagan

In 1980, Jimmy Carter lost his reelection bid to Ronald Reagan.

1981: Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary

In 1981, Biden became a ranking minority member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, a position he held until 1987.

1981: Became ranking minority member of the Senate Judiciary Committee

In 1981, Joe Biden became the ranking minority member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

1984: Objected to the Strategic Defense Initiative

In 1984, Joe Biden objected to the Strategic Defense Initiative plan to construct autonomous systems of ICBM defense in a congressional hearing.

1984: Reelected to the U.S. Senate

In 1984, Joe Biden was reelected to the U.S. Senate.

1984: Democratic floor manager for the Comprehensive Crime Control Act

In 1984, Joe Biden was the Democratic floor manager for the successful passage of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act.

1986: Midterm Election Gains in Governorships

The 2022 midterm election was the first since 1986 in which the incumbent president's party achieved a net gain in governorships.

June 9, 1987: Declared candidacy for 1988 Democratic presidential nomination

On June 9, 1987, Biden declared his candidacy for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination.

September 23, 1987: Withdrew from 1988 presidential race

On September 23, 1987, Biden withdrew his candidacy for the 1988 presidential nomination due to plagiarism accusations and false claims about his academic record.

1987: Chaired Senate Committee on the Judiciary

In 1987, Biden became the chair of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, a position he held until 1995.

1988: Presidential Campaign

Biden was considered a strong candidate for president in 1988 due to his image, speaking ability, and high profile.

1988: Unsuccessful run for Democratic presidential nomination

In 1988, Joe Biden ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination.

1988: Presided over Robert Bork's Supreme Court confirmation hearings

In 1988, as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Biden presided over the contentious U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Robert Bork. Biden reversed his previous approval of Bork, objecting to Bork's originalism and the view that the U.S. Constitution provides rights to liberty and privacy beyond those explicitly enumerated in its text. Bork's nomination was rejected.

1990: Reelected to the U.S. Senate

In 1990, Joe Biden was reelected to the U.S. Senate.

1991: Clarence Thomas Nomination Hearings

During Clarence Thomas's nomination hearings in 1991, Biden faced criticism for his handling of Anita Hill's accusations against Thomas. He allowed Hill to testify, but did not permit testimony from other witnesses. Thomas was confirmed by the Senate, with Biden opposed. Liberal legal advocates and women's groups felt Biden mishandled the hearings.

1991: Co-taught seminar at Widener University School of Law

From 1991, Joe Biden co-taught a seminar on constitutional law at Widener University School of Law as an adjunct professor.

1991: Interested in the Yugoslav Wars

In 1991, Biden became interested in the Yugoslav Wars after hearing about Serbian abuses during the Croatian War of Independence.

1991: Opposed Gulf War

In 1991, Joe Biden opposed the Gulf War.

1991: Kevin Nealon portrays Biden on SNL

In 1991, Kevin Nealon became the first of nine men to portray Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live.

April 1993: Met with Serbian leader Slobodan Milošević

In April 1993, Biden had a tense three-hour meeting with Serbian leader Slobodan Milošević to discuss the Bosnian War.

1994: Helped pass the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act

In 1994, Joe Biden helped pass the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which included a ban on assault weapons, and the Violence Against Women Act.

1995: End of term as chair of Senate Committee on the Judiciary

In 1995, Biden's term as the chair of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary ended, after which he became a ranking minority member.

1996: Reelected to the U.S. Senate

In 1996, Joe Biden was reelected to the U.S. Senate.

1997: Ranking Minority Member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee

In 1997, Biden became the ranking minority member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

1997: End of term as ranking minority member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary

In 1997, Biden's term as ranking minority member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary ended.

1999: Supported NATO bombing of Yugoslavia

In 1999, during the Kosovo War, Biden supported the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia and co-sponsored the McCain-Biden Kosovo Resolution.

2000: Clinton Vetoes Bankruptcy Legislation

In 2000, Bill Clinton vetoed bankruptcy legislation sponsored by Biden, which was sought by credit card issuers. The bill later passed in 2005.

2000: William Roth defeated in Senate race

In 2000, William Roth, the senior senator to Joe Biden, was defeated.

June 2001: Chaired Senate Foreign Relations Committee

In June 2001, Biden became the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a position he held until 2003.

October 2002: Voted in favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq

In October 2002, Biden, as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, voted in favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq, approving the U.S. invasion of Iraq. He assembled witnesses to testify in favor of the authorization, who misrepresented the intent, history, and status of Saddam and his government.

2002: Voted in favor of the Iraq War Resolution

In 2002, Joe Biden voted in favor of the Iraq War Resolution.

2002: Reelected to the U.S. Senate

In 2002, Joe Biden was reelected to the U.S. Senate.

2003: End of term as chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee

In 2003, Biden's term as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee ended.

2005: Greenhouse gas emissions baseline

According to an analysis by the Rhodium Group, the Inflation Reduction Act aimed to lower U.S. greenhouse gas emissions between 31% and 44% below the 2005 levels by 2030.

2005: Baseline for U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction

At an international climate summit in April, President Biden announced that the U.S. would cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50%-52% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.

2005: Called Vote a Mistake

By 2005, Biden called his 2002 vote in favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq a "mistake", though he did not push for withdrawal. He supported appropriations for the occupation.

2005: Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act Passed

In 2005, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, which Biden supported, passed. He was one of only 18 Democrats to vote for it, despite opposition from leading Democrats and consumer rights organizations. The original version of the bill was vetoed in 2000.

2006: Shifted Stance on Iraq War

By late 2006, Biden's stance on the Iraq War had shifted considerably. He opposed the troop surge of 2007.

2006: Biden-Gelb Iraqi federalization plan

In 2006, Joe Biden helped create the Biden-Gelb Iraqi federalization plan.

January 2007: Declared candidacy in the 2008 elections

In January 2007, Biden declared his candidacy in the 2008 elections, focusing on the Iraq War and his foreign policy experience.

September 2007: Endorsed plan dividing Iraq

In September 2007, Biden advocated dividing Iraq into a loose federation of three ethnic states, and a non-binding resolution endorsing the plan passed the Senate, but the idea failed to gain traction.

2007: Got to know Obama

During 2007, Biden and Obama got to know each other. Obama appreciated Biden's campaign style and appeal to working-class voters, and Biden said he became convinced Obama was "the real deal".

2007: Chaired Senate Foreign Relations Committee again

In 2007, Biden chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee again, holding the position until 2009.

January 3, 2008: Placed fifth in Iowa caucuses and withdrew from race

On January 3, 2008, Biden placed fifth in the Iowa caucuses, garnering slightly less than one percent of the state delegates. He withdrew from the race that evening.

August 2008: Chosen as Obama's running mate

In August 2008, Obama and Biden met in secret to discuss the possibility of a place for Biden in the Obama administration, and developed a strong personal rapport. On August 22, Obama announced that Biden would be his running mate. Biden was officially nominated for vice president on August 27 at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

September 2008: Voted for Emergency Economic Stabilization Act

In September 2008, Biden voted for the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 as the financial crisis reached its peak.

2008: 2008 campaign raised his stature

Despite its lack of success, Biden's 2008 campaign raised his stature in the political world. In particular, it changed the relationship between Biden and Obama.

2008: Jason Sudeikis portrays Biden on SNL

During the 2008 election season, Jason Sudeikis portrayed Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live and reprised the role numerous times.

2008: Ended teaching seminar at Widener University School of Law

In 2008, Joe Biden ended co-teaching a seminar on constitutional law at Widener University School of Law.

2008: Unsuccessful run for Democratic presidential nomination and selection as VP running mate

In 2008, Joe Biden unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, but was later chosen as Barack Obama's running mate.

2008: Reelected to the U.S. Senate

In 2008, Joe Biden was reelected to the U.S. Senate.

2008: Campaigning for president

Throughout 2008, Biden focused on the Iraq War, his record as chairman of major Senate committees, and his foreign-policy experience. Biden was noted for his one-liners during the campaign.

January 2009: Resigned from the Senate

Having been reelected to the Senate as well as the vice presidency, Biden made a point of not resigning from the Senate before he was sworn in for his seventh term in January 2009. He resigned from the Senate on January 15.

January 20, 2009: Biden sworn in as Vice President

On January 20, 2009, Joe Biden was sworn in as Vice President of the United States. He was the first vice president from Delaware and the first Roman Catholic vice president.

May 2009: Biden visits Kosovo and affirms U.S. position

In May 2009, Joe Biden visited Kosovo and affirmed the U.S. position that its "independence is irreversible".

2009: End of term as chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee

In 2009, Biden's term as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee ended.

2009: Became Vice President

In 2009, Joe Biden became the 47th Vice President of the United States under President Barack Obama.

October 2010: Obama asked him to remain as running mate

In October 2010, Biden said Obama had asked him to remain as his running mate for the 2012 presidential election.

December 2010: Biden instrumental in tax compromise

In December 2010, Joe 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. The package passed as the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.

February 2011: Biden completes oversight of stimulus spending

In February 2011, Joe Biden completed his role overseeing infrastructure spending from the Obama stimulus package, reporting that fraud incidents with stimulus monies had been less than one percent.

2011: Biden oversees Iraq policy

In 2011, Joe Biden oversaw Iraq policy, becoming the Obama administration's point man in delivering messages to Iraqi leadership before the exit of U.S. troops.

2011: Consideration of replacing Biden with Hillary Clinton

In late 2011, White House Chief of Staff William M. Daley conducted some secret polling and focus group research on the idea of replacing Biden with Hillary Clinton as Obama's running mate. The notion was dropped when the results showed no appreciable improvement.

May 2012: Comfortable with same-sex marriage

Biden's May 2012 statement that he was "absolutely comfortable" with same-sex marriage gained considerable public attention in comparison to Obama's position. 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. Within days, Obama announced that he too supported same-sex marriage.

August 2012: Remark during reelection campaign

In August 2012, during the reelection campaign, Biden remarked before a mixed-race audience that Republican proposals to relax Wall Street regulations would "put y'all back in chains" again, which drew attention to his propensity for colorful remarks.

December 2012: Biden heads Gun Violence Task Force

In December 2012, Barack Obama named Joe Biden to head the Gun Violence Task Force, created to address the causes of school shootings and consider possible gun control measures in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

2012: Biden Supports Same-Sex Marriage

Biden has supported same-sex marriage since 2012.

2012: Was Obama's running mate

Biden remained as Obama's running mate for the 2012 election.

January 20, 2013: Biden inaugurated to second term

On January 20, 2013, Joe Biden was inaugurated to a second term as Vice President at a small ceremony at Number One Observatory Circle. A public ceremony took place on January 21.

2013: Biden's Violence Against Women Act reauthorized

In 2013, Joe Biden's Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized again, leading to related developments like the White House Council on Women and Girls.

2013: Biden negotiates deal to avert "fiscal cliff"

In the final days before the United States fell off the "fiscal cliff" in 2013, Joe Biden's relationship with Mitch 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.

January 2014: White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault

In January 2014, the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault was started with Joe Biden and Valerie Jarrett as co-chairs.

2014: Attention renewed to Biden-Gelb Iraqi federalization plan

In 2014, as the ISIL insurgency in Iraq intensified, renewed attention was paid to the Biden-Gelb Iraqi federalization plan of 2006.

October 21, 2015: Biden announces decision not to run for president

On October 21, 2015, Joe Biden announced his decision not to run for president, particularly due to the recent death of his son Beau.

August 2016: Biden visits Serbia and expresses condolences

In August 2016, Joe 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.

2016: Biden mentioned as a likely candidate for president

Between 2016 and 2019, media outlets often mentioned Joe Biden as a likely candidate for president in 2020.

2016: Biden considered a bid for president

During his second term, Joe Biden was often said to be preparing for a bid for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.

2016: Greg Kinnear portrays Biden in Confirmation

In 2016, Greg Kinnear portrayed Joe Biden in the HBO television film "Confirmation", which focused on the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination hearings.

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2016: Biden introduces Lady Gaga at the Academy Awards

In 2016, Joe Biden introduced Lady Gaga at the 88th Academy Awards and talked about sexual violence, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.

2017: Biden Signs With CAA

At the end of his presidency, Biden designated former senior advisors Anthony Bernal and Annie Tomasini to raise funds for the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Presidential Library. He later signed with talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which previously represented him from 2017 to 2020, to represent him in public engagements.

2017: Biden Proposed Reversing Corporate Tax Cuts

Biden proposed partially reversing the corporate tax cuts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

2017: Biden writes memoir and goes on book tour

In 2017, Joe Biden wrote a memoir, Promise Me, Dad, and went on a book tour.

[Joe Biden] Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose - Hardcover

Check it on Amazon

2017: End of Vice Presidency

In 2017, Joe Biden's term as Vice President of the United States concluded.

January 2018: Time for Biden PAC formed

In January 2018, a political action committee known as Time for Biden was formed.

April 25, 2019: Biden launches presidential campaign

On April 25, 2019, Joe Biden launched his campaign for president, citing concerns about the Trump administration and a "sense of duty."

2019: Biden and wife earn over $15 million

By 2019, Joe Biden and his wife reported that they had earned over $15 million since the end of his vice presidency from speaking engagements and book sales.

2019: Biden Supported Roe v. Wade and Repealing Hyde Amendment

In 2019, Biden said he supported Roe v. Wade and repealing the Hyde Amendment.

2019: Biden honorary professor at University of Pennsylvania

In 2019, Joe Biden was an honorary professor at the University of Pennsylvania, developing the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. He remained in that position into 2019.

2019: Biden's Performance in the 2019 elections

Throughout 2019, Joe Biden stayed generally ahead of other Democrats in national polls. Despite this, he finished fourth in the Iowa caucuses and fifth in the New Hampshire primary. He performed better in the Nevada caucuses, reaching the 15% required for delegates, but still finished 21.6 percentage points behind Bernie Sanders.

February 2020: US-Taliban Agreement

American forces had begun withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2020, under the provisions of a February 2020 US-Taliban agreement that set a May 1, 2021, deadline.

April 8, 2020: Sanders suspends campaign

On April 8, 2020, Bernie Sanders suspended his campaign, making Joe Biden the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee.

August 18, 2020: Biden officially becomes Democratic nominee

On August 18, 2020, at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Joe Biden officially became the Democratic Party nominee for president in the 2020 election.

November 2020: Biden elected president

In November 2020, Joe Biden was elected the 46th president of the United States, defeating the incumbent, Donald Trump.

2020: Biden Signs With CAA

At the end of his presidency, Biden designated former senior advisors Anthony Bernal and Annie Tomasini to raise funds for the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Presidential Library. He later signed with talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which previously represented him from 2017 to 2020, to represent him in public engagements.

2020: Biden mentioned as a likely candidate for president

Between 2016 and 2019, media outlets often mentioned Joe Biden as a likely candidate for president in 2020.

2020: Biden Vows to Nominate Black Woman to Supreme Court

During his 2020 campaign, President Biden vowed to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court if a vacancy occurred.

2020: Biden portrayed by multiple actors on SNL

During the 2020 election season, Joe Biden was portrayed by John Mulaney, Alex Moffat, Mikey Day, Woody Harrelson, and Jim Carrey on Saturday Night Live.

2020: Biden Ran on Decriminalizing Cannabis

In 2020, Biden also ran on decriminalizing cannabis, after advocating harsher penalties for drug use as a senator.

2020: Biden reused "a bunch of malarkey" phrase

In 2020, Joe Biden reused the phrase "a bunch of malarkey" during his presidential campaign. He originally used the phrase during the 2012 vice-presidential debate.

2020: Biden's Victory Over Trump

In February 2024, pollsters noted that Biden's ranking was unusually high and experts polled generally regarded Biden's signature accomplishment as his victory over Trump in the 2020 election.

2020: Elected President of the United States

In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris defeated Donald Trump and Mike Pence.

January 20, 2021: Biden Inaugurated as President

On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States, becoming the oldest person to assume the office at 78. He was also the second Catholic U.S. president and the first president elected from Delaware on January 20, 2021.

February 2021: Ending Support for Saudi-Led Campaign in Yemen

In February 2021, the Biden administration announced that the United States was ending its support for the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen and revoked the designation of Yemen's Houthis as terrorists.

March 2021: Biden Proposes American Jobs Plan

As part of his Build Back Better agenda, in late March 2021, President Biden proposed the American Jobs Plan, a $2 trillion package addressing transport, utilities, broadband infrastructure, housing, schools, manufacturing, research, and workforce development.

June 2021: First Trip Abroad as President

In June 2021, President Biden made his first trip abroad, visiting Belgium, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, attending G7, NATO, and EU summits, and holding talks with Vladimir Putin.

July 2021: Biden Urges Vaccination Amid Delta Variant Spread

In July 2021, amid a slowing of the COVID-19 vaccination rate in the country and the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, Biden emphasized the importance of Americans getting vaccinated.

August 2021: Senate Passes Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

In August 2021, the Senate passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, covering transport, utilities, and broadband.

September 2021: Announcement of AUKUS Security Pact

In September 2021, President Biden announced AUKUS, a security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, to ensure "peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific".

November 2021: House Approves Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

In early November 2021, the House approved the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in a bipartisan manner, and Biden signed the bill into law in mid-November 2021.

2021: Judicial Nominations and Diversity

By the end of 2021, President Biden had 40 of his nominees to the federal judiciary confirmed, and prioritized diversity in his judicial appointments.

2021: Biden Officially Recognized Armenian Genocide

In 2021, Biden officially recognized the Armenian genocide, becoming the first U.S. president to do so.

2021: Became 46th President of the United States

In 2021, Joe Biden assumed office as the 46th President of the United States.

2021: Biden Signs American Rescue Plan Act

In 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package aimed at supporting the U.S. recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The package included direct payments, unemployment benefits extension, and funds for vaccine distribution in 2021.

2021: Biden Promotes Climate Agreement at COP26

In 2021, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), President Biden promoted an agreement for the U.S. and the European Union to cut methane emissions by a third by 2030 and pledged to double climate funding to developing countries by 2024.

2021: Introduction of U.S. Citizenship Act

In 2021, on his first day in office, President Biden proposed the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.

2021: Introduction of the Honoring our PACT Act

The Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 was introduced in 2021 and signed into law by Biden on August 10, 2022. The act intends to significantly improve healthcare access and funding for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, including burn pits, during military service.

January 2022: Minimum Wage Increase for Federal Contractors

In January 2022, an executive order to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors to $15 per hour went into effect for 390,000 workers.

February 2022: Russian Invasion of Ukraine

In February 2022, the Russian Armed Forces under President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine. President Biden responded by imposing severe sanctions on Russia and authorizing over $8 billion in weapons shipments to Ukraine.

February 2022: Counterterrorism Raid in Syria

In early February 2022, President Biden ordered a counterterrorism raid in northern Syria that resulted in the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, the second leader of the Islamic State.

April 2022: Biden Signs Postal Service Reform Act

In April 2022, President 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.

June 25, 2022: Biden Signs Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

On June 25, 2022, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law, aimed at addressing gun reform issues following the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

August 7, 2022: Senate Passes Inflation Reduction Act

On August 7, 2022, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act with a 51-50 vote, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie. The bill aims to raise $739 billion and authorize $370 billion in spending on energy and climate change, $300 billion in deficit reduction, Affordable Care Act subsidies, prescription drug reform, and tax reform.

August 9, 2022: Biden Signs CHIPS and Science Act

President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law on August 9, 2022. It provided billions in funding to boost domestic research and manufacture of semiconductors.

August 10, 2022: Biden Signs Honoring our PACT Act

On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. The act intends to improve healthcare access and funding for veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service.

September 2, 2022: Biden's Speech on the Soul of the Nation

On September 2, 2022, President Biden delivered a nationally broadcast speech in Philadelphia calling for a "battle for the soul of the nation" and referred to Trump supporters as "semi-fascists", which drew criticism.

October 6, 2022: Pardon for Cannabis Possession

On October 6, 2022, President Biden pardoned all Americans convicted of "small" amounts of cannabis possession under federal law.

2022: House Passed Bill Codifying Roe

After Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, he criticized near-total bans on abortion access passed in a majority of Republican-controlled states, and took measures to protect abortion rights in the United States. 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.

2022: Congress approves aid to Ukraine

In 2022, Congress approved about $113 billion in aid to Ukraine.

2022: Biden Signs Respect for Marriage Act

In 2022, President 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 and interracial marriages.

2022: Inflation Reduction Act

In 2022, the Build Back Better Act was reworked into the Inflation Reduction Act, addressing deficit reduction, climate change, healthcare, and tax reform.

April 25, 2023: Biden Confirms Reelection Run in 2024

On April 25, 2023, Biden confirmed he would run for reelection as president in the 2024 election, with Harris again as his running mate.

July 2023: Biden Announces Measures to Combat Heat Waves

In July 2023, amidst heat waves in the United States, President Biden announced measures to protect the population, linking the heat waves to climate change.

October 2023: Biden administration requests additional aid for Ukraine

In October 2023, the Biden administration requested an additional $61.4 billion in aid for Ukraine for the year ahead, but delays in the passage of further aid by the House of Representatives inhibited progress.

December 22, 2023: Pardons for Cannabis Use on Federal Lands

On December 22, 2023, President Biden pardoned Americans for cannabis use or possession on federal lands, regardless of charges or prosecution.

January 2024: Milestone in Humanitarian Parole Admissions

As of January 2024, over a million migrants had been admitted to the U.S. under humanitarian parole during the Biden administration.

January 2024: Biden Supports Bipartisan Immigration Deal

In January 2024, President Biden expressed support for a proposed bipartisan immigration deal led by Senators Kyrsten Sinema and James Lankford, which included measures to close the border under certain conditions and mandate detention for asylum seekers.

April 2024: Plan to Protect Natural Water Sources

In April 2024, President Biden unveiled a plan to protect and restore natural water sources, including 3.2 million hectares of wetlands and 161,000 km of waterways.

April 2024: Additional aid to Ukraine added

In April 2024, an additional $61 billion in aid to Ukraine was added after delays in the passage of further aid by the House of Representatives.

May 2024: Exception Granted for Ukraine to Use Weapons Against Russian Military Targets

In May 2024, Biden granted an exception for Ukraine to utilize weapons against Russian military targets in the vicinity of Kharkiv for "counter-fire" purposes, after consistently refusing such requests throughout the conflict.

May 31, 2024: Biden Announces Support for Israeli Ceasefire Proposal

On May 31, 2024, Biden announced his support for an Israeli ceasefire proposal, stating that Hamas was "no longer capable" of another large-scale attack.

June 2024: Executive Order on Border Restriction

In June 2024, President Biden issued an executive order allowing the president to restrict the Mexico–U.S. border.

June 27, 2024: First Presidential Debate

On June 27, 2024, the first presidential debate between Biden and Trump occurred, with Biden's performance being widely criticized. Commentators noted that he frequently lost his train of thought, and his answers were meandering. Several newspaper columnists declared Trump the winner, and polling indicated the majority of viewers believed Trump won the debate.

July 2024: Biden's Approval Rating Falls to All-Time Low

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%.

August 6, 2024: Harris Confirmed as Democratic Presidential Nominee

On August 6, 2024, Kamala Harris was confirmed as the Democratic presidential nominee after Biden withdrew his candidacy.

August 2024: US aid to Afghanistan

As of August 2024, the U.S. remained Afghanistan's biggest aid donor as of August 2024, spending at least $20.7 billion post-withdrawal. U.S. funding has helped support the Taliban government and stabilize Afghanistan's economy.

August 2024: Ankara Prisoner Exchange

In August 2024, President Biden negotiated and oversaw the 2024 Ankara prisoner exchange, involving the release of 26 people including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan.

November 2024: Ceasefire Agreement in Israel–Hezbollah Conflict

In November 2024, the Biden administration announced that it had helped broker a ceasefire agreement in the Israel–Hezbollah conflict.

December 12, 2024: Clemency for Nonviolent Felons

On December 12, 2024, President Biden granted clemency to about 1,500 nonviolent felons in home confinement, marking the largest single-day clemency act in history. This act generated controversy because it included felons such as Michael Conahan and Rita Crundwell.

December 23, 2024: Commutation of Death Row Inmates

On December 23, 2024, President Biden commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates.

2024: Biden Wins Democratic Nomination

In 2024, Biden won 15 of 16 primaries on Super Tuesday. On March 6, Phillips suspended his campaign and endorsed Biden. On March 12, Biden reached more than the 1,968 delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination, becoming the presumptive nominee.

2024: Dana Carvey portrays Biden on SNL

In 2024, Dana Carvey portrayed Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live.

2024: Harris loses election to Trump

In 2024, Kamala Harris lost the presidential election to Donald Trump.

2024: Kamala Harris defeated by Donald Trump

In 2024, Kamala Harris was defeated by Donald Trump in the presidential election.

2024: Trump Defeats Harris in General Election

In 2024, Trump defeated Harris in the general election. Also, the Senate went Republican for the first time since 2018.

2024: Withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election candidacy.

In 2024, after renewed scrutiny of his cognitive ability, Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy for reelection in the 2024 presidential election.

2024: Public Deems Biden's Presidency a Failure

In 2024, journalist Amy Walter argued that Biden's presidency was deemed a failure by the public, particularly due to frustration over inflation, which helped Trump win the 2024 presidential election.

2024: Biden's Reelection Campaign

Throughout 2024, Biden campaigned for reelection, promoting higher economic growth and recovery and stating his intention to "finish the job".

January 2025: Biden's Final Approval Rating

Biden's final approval rating in January 2025 was 40%, which was low but still higher than several other presidents' final approval ratings.

January 2025: Biden Claims He Could Have Defeated Trump

In January 2025, during a nationally televised speech after the election, Biden congratulated Trump and promised a "peaceful and orderly" transition of power. In an interview later that month, Biden claimed he could have defeated Trump had he not been persuaded to withdraw from the election.

January 20, 2025: End of Biden's Term

On January 20, 2025, Biden's term ended upon Trump's second inauguration.

April 15, 2025: Biden Criticizes Trump Administration at ACRD Conference

On April 15, 2025, 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. In his address, he criticized the Trump administration's handling of the Social Security Administration.

2025: End of Presidency

Joe Biden's term as president ended in 2025.

2025: Biden leaves office

When Joe Biden left office in 2025, many journalists and Democrats considered his presidency a failure due to concerns about his age and health, public frustration with inflation, and Kamala Harris' defeat in the 2024 election.

2030: Target Year for Emissions Reduction

According to an analysis by the Rhodium Group, the Inflation Reduction Act aimed to lower U.S. greenhouse gas emissions between 31% and 44% below the 2005 levels by 2030.

2030: U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Target

At an international climate summit in April, President Biden announced that the U.S. would cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50%-52% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.