Challenges Faced by Joe Biden: Obstacles and Turning Points

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

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. served as the 46th U.S. President (2021-2025). A Democrat, he previously 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

December 18, 1972: Wife and Daughter Killed 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.

September 23, 1987: Withdrew from 1988 presidential race

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

February 1988: Underwent surgery for intracranial berry aneurysm

In February 1988, Biden underwent surgery to correct a leaking intracranial berry aneurysm, which led to a seven-month absence from the Senate due to recuperation and subsequent pulmonary embolism.

1988: Unsuccessful run for Democratic presidential nomination

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

1991: Opposed the Gulf War

In 1991, Joe Biden opposed the Gulf War.

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

On January 3, 2008, Biden placed fifth in the Iowa caucuses with less than one percent of the state delegates and subsequently withdrew from the 2008 presidential race.

April 2009: Swine flu outbreak gaffe

In April 2009, during the beginning of the swine flu outbreak, Biden's off-message response to a question led to a swift retraction by the White House, reviving his reputation for gaffes.

May 2011: Opposed Proceeding with the U.S. mission to kill Osama bin Laden

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

2013: Biden's memory lapses

In 2013, during the investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents, special counsel Robert Hur noted Biden's memory lapses, including not remembering when he was vice president.

March 2019: Accusations of inappropriate physical contact

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

April 2019: Pledge to be more respectful of people's personal space

In April 2019, after multiple accusations of inappropriate physical contact, Biden pledged to be more "respectful of people's personal space".

September 2019: Trump pressured Ukrainian president to investigate Biden

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

March 2020: Tara Reade accuses Biden of sexual assault

In late March 2020, Tara Reade, who had previously accused Joe Biden of inappropriate physical contact in 2019, accused him of sexual assault that allegedly occurred in 1993. Biden and his campaign denied the allegation.

2020: Biden Campaign Promise on Private Prisons

Despite his 2020 campaign promise to end the practice, in the final year of his presidency, the Biden administration worked to extend at least 14 contracts with private prison companies to run immigrant detention centers.

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

On January 6, 2021, supporters of Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol during the joint session of Congress assembled to count electoral votes and formalize Joe Biden's victory. Biden condemned the events as an unprecedented assault.

August 2021: Approval rating decline

In August 2021, Joe Biden's approval rating began to decline, 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.

2021: Border Crossings Surge

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

June 2022: Inflation Peaked at 9.1%

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

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

On July 21, 2022, Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 and was treated with Paxlovid while working in isolation at the White House.

November 2022: Classified Documents Found at Penn Biden Center

In November 2022, Biden's attorneys discovered classified documents dating from his vice presidency in a "locked closet" at the Penn Biden Center, which were subsequently reported to and recovered by the U.S. National Archives.

2022: Bill codifying Roe protections fails in the Senate

In 2022, a bill codifying the protections of Roe v. Wade passed the House, but was unable to clear the Senate filibuster.

January 11, 2023: House Launches Investigative Committee into Biden's Family Business Activities

On January 11, 2023, the House of Representatives launched an investigative committee into the foreign business activities of Biden's son, Hunter, and brother, James, also investigating alleged corruption related to the Hunter Biden laptop controversy.

January 12, 2023: Garland Appoints Special Counsel to Investigate Classified Documents

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 Biden.

February 4, 2023: Biden Orders Downing of Suspected Chinese Surveillance Balloon

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

March 2023: Bank Failures and Opposition to Bailout

In March 2023, following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and other U.S. banks, Joe Biden opposed a taxpayer-funded bailout, attributing the bank's failure in part to the rollback of Dodd-Frank regulations.

July 2023: Biden Addresses Heat Waves

In July 2023, as heat waves impacted the United States, Biden announced measures to protect the population, linking the events to climate change.

September 2023: COVID-19 Student Loan Pause Extended

In September 2023, Biden extended the COVID-19 student loan pause, which included an "on ramp" period to provide additional protections.

October 2023: Record Low Approval Rating Among Democrats

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

October 2023: Deportations Increase

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

October 2023: Hamas Attack on Israel and Biden's Response

In October 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, leading to an intensified conflict. Biden stated his support for Israel, condemned Hamas, deployed aircraft carriers, and called for additional military aid while also addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

December 13, 2023: House of Representatives Formalizes Impeachment Inquiry

On December 13, 2023, the House of Representatives voted 221–212 to formalize an impeachment inquiry into Biden, based on allegations of corruption by Biden and his family.

December 2023: No Evidence of Wrongdoing by Biden Discovered by Congressional Investigations

As of December 2023, congressional investigations, including by the House Oversight committee, have discovered no evidence of wrongdoing by Biden, despite the ongoing impeachment inquiry.

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

In 2023, Joe Biden had a basal-cell carcinoma removed from his chest.

2023: Lowest Approval Rating

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

January 2024: Biden Supports Bipartisan Immigration Deal

In January 2024, Biden expressed support for a proposed bipartisan immigration deal led by Senators Kyrsten Sinema and James Lankford.

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

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

February 8, 2024: No Charges to be Brought Against Biden Regarding Classified Documents

On February 8, 2024, Robert Hur announced that no charges would be brought against Biden following the investigation into the handling of classified documents.

February 2024: Informant in Bribery Allegations Charged with Making False Statements

In February 2024, Alexander Smirnov, a former intelligence informant prominent in the bribery allegations against Biden, was charged with making false statements, admitting he had publicized a false story given to him by Russian intelligence officials to damage Biden's reelection campaign.

February 29, 2024: Biden Comments on Insufficient Aid to Gaza After Civilian Killings

Following the killing of Palestinian civilians receiving food aid on February 29, 2024, Biden commented that the current level of aid flowing into Gaza was insufficient, leading to increased efforts to provide assistance.

March 2024: Majority of Americans Disapprove of Israeli Conduct

In March 2024, a Gallup poll revealed that a strong majority of Americans disapproved of Israeli conduct during the war, reflecting significant domestic opposition to American involvement.

April 2024: Gaza War Protests Emerge on University Campuses

Beginning in April 2024, widespread Gaza war protests emerged on university campuses, denouncing Biden's policies and the American involvement in the conflict.

June 2024: Biden Issues Executive Order on Border Restrictions

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

June 2024: Public concern about Biden's mental acuity

In June 2024, public concern about Joe Biden's mental acuity was widely covered by the media after a weak performance in a presidential debate, although it received limited coverage beforehand.

June 27, 2024: First presidential debate

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

July 2024: All-time Low Approval Rating

In July 2024, just before he withdrew from the 2024 presidential election, Gallup found that Joe Biden's 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 Increase

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

September 25, 2024: House Condemns Biden Administration for Afghanistan Withdrawal

On September 25, 2024, the United States House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the Biden administration for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Ten Democrats and all Republicans voted in favor of the resolution.

September 30, 2024: End of 'On Ramp' Period for Student Loan Pause Protections

On September 30, 2024, the "on ramp" period, which extended certain protections against credit reporting, collection efforts, and late payment fees from the COVID-19 student loan pause, came to an end.

December 1, 2024: Pardon of Hunter Biden

On December 1, 2024, Biden issued a "full and unconditional" pardon to his son Hunter that covered all federal offenses between that day and 2014, breaking his June 2024 pledge not to do so.

December 2024: Gallup poll on Biden's presidency

In December 2024, a 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; the poll indicated negative assessments of his presidency on economic, national, and international issues.

2024: Withdrew Candidacy

After intensifying scrutiny of his age and health following the first presidential debate, Biden withdrew his candidacy for the 2024 election.

2024: Public perception of Biden's presidency as failure

In 2024, Amy Walter, editor of The Cook Political Report, argued that the public deemed Joe Biden's presidency a failure due to frustration over inflation, which contributed to Trump winning the 2024 presidential election.

2024: Harris' loss to Trump in presidential election

In 2024, Harris lost to Trump in the presidential election, which contributed to the view of Joe Biden's presidency as a failure when he left office in 2025.

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.

2025: Biden as Oldest Sitting President

As of 2025, Biden was the oldest sitting president in U.S. history, facing scrutiny over his cognitive health and advanced aging, with family and White House staff insulating him from certain public exposures.

2025: Trump Fills Judicial Vacancies

In 2025, President Trump filled judicial vacancies on the Third Circuit, including one in Delaware that Biden had not filled, flipping the Third Circuit to a conservative majority.

2025: Assessment of Biden's presidency upon leaving office

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. The Guardian called the conclusion of Biden's presidency a "tragedy".