Challenges Faced by Joe Biden: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Joe Biden's life and career.

Joe Biden is an American politician who served as the 46th President of the United States (2021-2025). A Democrat, he represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009. He also served as the 47th Vice President under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1968: Biden's withdrawal from 2024 Presidential Election Compared to Johnson's in 1968

Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election was compared to Lyndon B. Johnson's withdrawal from the 1968 presidential election.

December 18, 1972: Death of wife and daughter in car accident

On December 18, 1972, Joe Biden's wife Neilia and one-year-old daughter Naomi were killed in an automobile accident in Hockessin, Delaware. His sons Beau and Hunter were injured.

1976: Use of Hubert Humphrey Passage

In 1976, Joe Biden used a passage by Hubert Humphrey without proper attribution.

1980: Historical Reference to Jimmy Carter

In 2024, Joe 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 in 1980.

September 23, 1987: Withdrawal from Presidential Race

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

February 1988: Surgery for Intracranial Berry Aneurysm

In February 1988, Joe Biden underwent surgery to correct a leaking intracranial berry aneurysm and later had a second aneurysm surgically repaired in May. He also suffered a pulmonary embolism while recuperating.

1988: Unsuccessful run for Democratic presidential nomination

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

1988: Robert Bork Nomination Hearings

In 1988, as chair, Joe Biden presided over the contentious U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Robert Bork. Biden reversed his previous approval of a hypothetical Bork nomination, objecting to Bork's originalism and its conflict with unenumerated rights in the U.S. Constitution. Bork's nomination was rejected.

1991: Opposed the Gulf War

In 1991, Biden opposed the Gulf War.

1991: Clarence Thomas Nomination Hearings

In 1991, during Clarence Thomas's nomination hearings, Joe Biden's questions were often convoluted. After the committee hearing closed, Anita Hill accused Thomas of making unwelcome sexual comments. Biden's handling of the hearings was criticized.

1992: Economic perception worse only in 1992

According to Gallup, public perception of the economy in 2024 was worse only in 2008 and 1992, helping Trump win the 2024 presidential election.

1993: Vote on Homosexuality and Military Service

In 1993, Joe Biden voted for a provision that deemed homosexuality incompatible with military life, banning gay people from serving in the armed forces.

1993: Alleged Sexual Assault by Tara Reade

In late March 2020, Tara Reade accused Joe Biden of having sexually assaulted her in 1993.

1994: Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act Passage

In 1994, Joe Biden helped pass the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, including a ban on assault weapons, and the Violence Against Women Act. This act was considered his most significant legislation, though later criticized for resulting in mass incarceration, a sentiment Biden later echoed.

1996: Vote on the Defense of Marriage Act

In 1996, Joe Biden voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, barring people in such marriages from equal protection under federal law and allowing states to do the same.

October 2002: Vote in Favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq

In October 2002, Joe Biden voted in favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq, approving the U.S. invasion of Iraq. As chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he assembled witnesses to testify in favor of the authorization.

January 3, 2008: Withdrawal from 2008 Presidential Race

On January 3, 2008, Joe Biden placed fifth in the Iowa caucuses and withdrew from the 2008 presidential race that evening.

2008: Economic perception worse only in 2008

According to Gallup, public perception of the economy in 2024 was worse only in 2008 and 1992, helping Trump win the 2024 presidential election.

July 2009: Acknowledged Misreading the Economy

In July 2009, amidst rising unemployment, Joe Biden acknowledged that the Obama administration had "misread how bad the economy was" despite confidence in the stimulus package's job creation potential.

May 2011: Opposed Bin Laden Mission

In May 2011, some reports suggest that Joe Biden opposed proceeding with the U.S. mission to kill Osama bin Laden, lest failure adversely affect Obama's reelection prospects.

2011: Consideration of Replacing Biden

In late 2011, White House Chief of Staff William M. Daley conducted secret polling and focus group research on the idea of replacing Joe Biden with Hillary Clinton as Obama's running mate for the 2012 election. However, the notion was dropped.

October 2013: Cut Out of Talks

In October 2013, Joe Biden played little part in discussions that led to the passage of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014, which resolved the federal government shutdown of 2013 and the 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.

2013: Biden's memory lapses as Vice President

During the investigation into Joe Biden's handling of classified documents, special counsel Robert Hur noted that Biden couldn't recall when he stopped being Vice President, referencing 2013. Hur also mentioned that Biden did not remember when his son Beau died, suggesting significant limitations to his memory.

2014: Deportations reach Highest Level Since 2014

From October 2023 to September 2024, deportations from the U.S. reached the highest level since 2014.

2014: Continuing Appropriations Act Passed

2015: Death of Beau Biden

In 2015, Beau Biden, Joe Biden's son, died of brain cancer.

March 2019: Accusations of Inappropriate Physical Contact

In March 2019 and April 2019, eight women accused Joe Biden of inappropriate physical contact, such as embracing, touching, or kissing.

April 2019: Accusations of Inappropriate Physical Contact

In March 2019 and April 2019, eight women accused Joe Biden of inappropriate physical contact, such as embracing, touching, or kissing. In April 2019, Biden pledged to be more "respectful of people's personal space".

September 2019: Trump Pressured Ukraine to Investigate Biden

In September 2019, it was reported that Donald Trump pressured Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate alleged wrongdoing by Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, leading to a political scandal and Trump's impeachment.

2019: Accusations of Inappropriate Physical Contact

In 2019, eight women, including Tara Reade, accused Joe Biden of inappropriate physical contact.

March 2020: Tara Reade Accuses Biden of Sexual Assault

In late March 2020, Tara Reade, who previously accused Biden of inappropriate physical contact in 2019, alleged that he sexually assaulted her in 1993. Biden and his campaign denied the sexual assault allegation.

December 2020: CPI before Biden Term

Between December 2020 and December 2024, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 21.3% overall, with an annualized inflation rate of 5.3% throughout Biden's term in office.

January 6, 2021: Attack on the U.S. Capitol

On January 6, 2021, supporters of Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol Building while Congress was in session to certify the election results, which formalized Joe Biden's victory. Biden addressed the nation, condemning the events. Congress eventually certified Biden and Harris as the winners.

March 2021: Inflation Rate Surpasses Federal Reserve Target

Starting in March 2021, the inflation rate remained above the Federal Reserve's 2% target every month.

August 2021: Biden's Approval Rating Begins to Decline

In August 2021, Joe Biden's approval rating began to decline after maintaining a rating above 50% during his presidency's first eight months. This decline was attributed to the Afghanistan withdrawal, increasing hospitalizations from the Delta variant, high inflation and gas prices, disarray within the Democratic Party, and a general decline in popularity customary in politics.

2021: Surge in Border Crossings

In 2021, when President Biden assumed office, illegal border crossings at the Mexico–United States border began to surge.

2021: 2021-2023 inflation surge

Journalist Ronald Brownstein compared Joe Biden to Jimmy Carter: Biden's presidency was overshadowed by the 2021–2023 inflation surge, much as the 1970s energy crisis and stagflation overshadowed Carter's presidency.

June 2022: Inflation Peak

In June 2022, during Joe Biden's presidency, inflation peaked at 9.1%.

July 21, 2022: Biden tests positive for COVID-19

On July 21, 2022, Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced mild symptoms. He was treated with Paxlovid, according to the White House, and worked in isolation.

November 2022: Discovery of classified documents at Penn Biden Center

In November 2022, President Biden's attorneys found classified documents dating from his vice presidency in a "locked closet" at the Penn Biden Center.

January 11, 2023: House launches investigation into Hunter and James Biden

On January 11, 2023, the House of Representatives launched an investigative committee into the foreign business activities of President Biden's son, Hunter, and brother, James.

January 12, 2023: Appointment of Special Counsel Robert K. Hur

On January 12, 2023, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Robert K. Hur as special counsel to investigate the "possible unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or other records" related to President Biden.

February 4, 2023: Shooting down of suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

On February 4, 2023, President Biden ordered the United States Air Force to shoot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina.

March 2023: Bank Failures and Biden's Response

In March 2023, several U.S. banks failed, leading to a decline in global bank stock prices. President Biden opposed a taxpayer bailout and attributed the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank to a partial rollback of Dodd-Frank regulations.

October 2023: Record Low Approval Rating Among Democrats

By October 2023, Gallup found that Joe Biden's approval rating among Democrats had reached a record low of 75%.

October 2023: Deportations Reach Highest Level Since 2014

From October 2023 to September 2024, deportations from the U.S. reached the highest level since 2014.

October 2023: Response to Hamas attack on Israel

In October 2023, following the Hamas attack on Israel, President Biden voiced strong support for Israel, condemned Hamas, deployed aircraft carriers to the region, and requested an additional $14 billion in military aid for Israel.

December 13, 2023: House votes to formalize impeachment inquiry into Biden

On December 13, 2023, the House of Representatives voted 221–212 to formalize an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

December 2023: No evidence of wrongdoing by Biden found

As of December 2023, Congressional investigations, including by the House Oversight committee, have discovered no evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden.

December 2023: Record High Border Crossings

In December 2023, illegal border crossings at the Mexico–United States border reached an all-time monthly high.

2023: Removal of Basal-Cell Carcinoma From Chest

In 2023, Joe Biden underwent the removal of a basal-cell carcinoma from his chest, before undergoing Mohs surgery to remove skin cancer lesions from his forehead in September 4.

2023: Lowest Approval Rating Among Modern U.S. Presidents

In 2023, Joe Biden's approval rating was recorded as the lowest of any modern U.S. president after three years in office.

2023: Debt Limit Deal

In 2023, President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an agreement, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, to raise the U.S. debt limit and suspend it until January 2025, averting a potential default.

2023: 2021-2023 inflation surge

January 17, 2024: House Passes Resolution Denouncing Biden's Border Handling

On January 17, 2024, the House of Representatives passed a Republican-led non-binding resolution denouncing the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the U.S. southern border by a vote of 225–187.

February 8, 2024: Hur announces no charges against Biden

On February 8, 2024, Special Counsel Robert Hur announced that no charges would be brought against President Biden regarding the classified documents matter.

February 2024: Alexander Smirnov charged with making false statements

In February 2024, Alexander Smirnov, a former intelligence informant, was charged with making false statements about bribery allegations against Joe Biden. Smirnov admitted to publicizing a false story provided by Russian intelligence officials with the intention of damaging Biden's reelection campaign.

February 29, 2024: Response to killing of Palestinian civilians receiving food aid

Following the killing of Palestinian civilians receiving food aid on February 29, 2024, President Biden acknowledged that the level of aid entering Gaza was insufficient.

March 2024: Majority disapproval of Israeli conduct

According to a March 2024 Gallup poll, a strong majority of Americans disapproved of Israeli conduct during the war.

April 2024: Gaza war protests on university campuses

Starting in April 2024, widespread Gaza war protests emerged on university campuses, denouncing Biden's stance on the conflict.

June 2024: Biden Issues Executive Action Offering Amnesty to Unauthorized Immigrants

In June 2024, Joe Biden issued an executive action offering amnesty to unauthorized immigrants married to American citizens, which included a pathway to U.S. residency and citizenship. The program was later struck down.

June 2024: Concerns about Biden's Mental Acuity

In June 2024, concerns about Joe Biden's mental acuity were widely covered by the media following a weak performance in a presidential debate. Although Biden initially stated he was fit to serve two terms, after the 2024 election he suggested he might be too old for a second term.

June 27, 2024: First presidential debate between Biden and Trump

On June 27, 2024, the first presidential debate was held between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Biden's performance was widely criticized, leading to questions about his health and age. He faced calls to withdraw from the race.

July 2024: All-Time Low Approval Rating

In July 2024, just before Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election, Gallup found his approval rating had fallen to an all-time low of 36%.

July 17, 2024: Biden tests positive for COVID-19 again

On July 17, 2024, Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 again.

September 2024: Deportations Reach Highest Level Since 2014

From October 2023 to September 2024, deportations from the U.S. reached the highest level since 2014.

September 25, 2024: House of Representatives condemns U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan

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.

December 2024: Gallup poll assesses Biden's presidency

A December 2024 Gallup poll found that 54% of Americans thought Joe Biden's presidency was below average or poor, 26% average, and 19% above average or outstanding. Americans largely offered negative assessments of Biden's presidency on economic, national, and international issues.

December 2024: End of Biden's Term Inflation and CPI Data

In December 2024, the last full month of Joe Biden's term as president, the inflation rate reached 2.9% and the core inflation rate reached 3.2% on an annual basis. Between December 2020 and December 2024, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 21.3% overall, with an annualized inflation rate of 5.3% throughout Biden's term in office.

2024: Public frustration over inflation

In 2024, Journalist Amy Walter argued that the public deemed Joe Biden's presidency a failure, particularly due to frustration over inflation, which voters considered the most important element of the economy.

2024: Withdrawal from 2024 presidential candidacy

In 2024, after facing scrutiny regarding his age and health following the first presidential debate, Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy for reelection.

2024: Trump defeats Harris in the general election

In the 2024 general election, Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris. A YouGov poll conducted on November 6–7, 2024, found that if Joe Biden had been the Democratic nominee, Trump would have won the popular vote by 49% to 42%.

2024: Dean Phillips runs against Biden in Democratic presidential primaries

U.S. Representative Dean Phillips ran against Joe Biden in the 2024 Democratic presidential primaries, campaigning as a younger alternative. Biden won the New Hampshire primary as a write-in candidate. On March 6, 2024 Phillips suspended his campaign and endorsed Biden, who became the presumptive nominee on March 12, 2024.

2024: Harris's loss to Trump in 2024 presidential election

When Joe Biden left office in 2025, journalists and many Democrats viewed his presidency as a failure due to age and health concerns, public frustration over inflation, and Harris's loss to Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

January 2025: Biden Declares Equal Rights Amendment Ratified

In January 2025, Joe Biden declared the lapsed Equal Rights Amendment ratified as the "28th Amendment" to the constitution. The declaration has no formal effect.

January 2025: Biden claims he could have defeated Trump

In a January 2025 interview, Joe Biden claimed he could have defeated Donald Trump had he not been persuaded to withdraw from the election, despite trailing behind Trump in polling. In 2024, Trump won the popular vote over Kamala Harris by 49.8% to 48.3%.

May 18, 2025: Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer

On May 18, 2025, Joe Biden's office announced that he had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer with bone metastasis during a routine physical examination. He confirmed that he had begun treatment on May 30.

2025: Biden's cognitive health and age

As of 2025, Joe Biden was the oldest sitting president in U.S. history. There were perceptions, particularly among Republicans and some media figures, that his cognitive health was declining. Concerns were raised about Biden's aging and decline in acuity.