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 served as the 47th Vice President under Barack Obama (2009-2017). Before becoming Vice President, Biden represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate for 36 years, from 1973 to 2009.

Sections (7)

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

December 18, 1972: Death of Wife and Daughter

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 were injured.

1976: Used Hubert Humphrey passage

Two years earlier before August 1987, during his 1988 presidential campaign, Biden had used a 1976 passage by Hubert Humphrey in a speech.

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.

February 1988: Underwent Surgery for Brain Aneurysm

In February 1988, Biden underwent surgery to correct a leaking intracranial berry aneurysm, following several episodes of severe neck pain. While recuperating, he also suffered a pulmonary embolism. A second aneurysm was surgically repaired in May. His health issues kept him away from the Senate for seven months.

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.

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.

1992: Public Perception of Economy Similar to 2024

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: Tara Reade alleges assault by Biden

In 1993, Tara Reade alleges she was sexually assaulted by Joe Biden.

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.

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.

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.

2008: Public Perception of Economy Similar to 2024

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

2008: Worst Year for Stocks Since 2008

Stocks had had their worst year since 2008 before recovering.

April 2009: Biden's swine flu outbreak response leads to White House retraction

In April 2009, Joe Biden's off-message response to a question regarding the swine flu outbreak led to a swift retraction by the White House and revived Biden's reputation for gaffes.

July 2009: Biden acknowledges misreading the economy

In July 2009, amid rising unemployment, Joe Biden acknowledged that the Obama administration had "misread how bad the economy was," while maintaining confidence in the stimulus package.

May 2011: Biden possibly opposed mission to kill Osama bin Laden

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.

October 2013: Biden plays little part in resolving federal government shutdown

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.

2014: The New Yorker Notes Biden's Exaggerations

According to The New York Times, Biden often embellishes elements of his life or exaggerates, a trait also noted by The New Yorker in 2014.

2014: Deportation Statistics Reference Point

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

2014: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 resolved government shutdown

The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014, which resolved the federal government shutdown of 2013 and the debt-ceiling crisis of 2013 was passed in 2014.

2015: Death of Beau Biden

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

March 2019: Women accuse Biden of inappropriate physical contact

In March 2019, eight women accused Joe Biden of inappropriate physical contact.

April 2019: Biden pledges to be more respectful

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

September 2019: Trump pressures Ukraine to investigate Biden

In September 2019, it was reported that Donald Trump had 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: Tara Reade accuses Biden of inappropriate physical contact

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

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: Trump Administration's Deal with the Taliban

In February 2020, the Trump administration made a deal with the Taliban to completely withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan by May 1, 2021.

March 2020: Tara Reade accuses Biden of sexual assault

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

2020: Biden targeted by Trump

In 2020, Joe Biden was a frequent target of Donald Trump.

January 6, 2021: Trump's Supporters March to the Capitol

On January 6, 2021, Trump urged his supporters to march to the Capitol while Congress was in session to formalize Biden's victory, leading to hundreds storming the building. During the attack on January 6, 2021, Biden addressed the nation, condemning the events.

March 2021: Inflation Above Federal Reserve Target

The inflation rate remained above the Federal Reserve's 2% target every month since March 2021, resulting in elevated interest rates to combat inflation.

May 1, 2021: Deadline for U.S. Troop Withdrawal Delayed

The Trump administration had made a deal with the Taliban to completely withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan by May 1, 2021.

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: Biden's Approval Rating Begins to Decline

In August 2021, Biden's approval rating began to decline, reaching the low forties by December due to events like the Afghanistan withdrawal.

2021: Surge in Illegal Border Crossings

Illegal border crossings at the Mexico–United States border began to surge in 2021 when Biden assumed office.

2021: Inflation Surge

The period from 2021 to 2023 saw an inflation surge that overshadowed Joe Biden's presidency.

June 2022: Inflation peaked at 9.1%

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

July 21, 2022: Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19

On July 21, 2022, Biden tested positive for COVID-19 with reportedly mild symptoms and was treated with Paxlovid.

July 30, 2022: Biden Tests Positive Again for COVID-19

On July 30, 2022, Biden tested positive again for COVID-19 and returned to isolation.

September 2022: Biden Says U.S. Forces Would Defend Taiwan

In a September 2022 interview with 60 Minutes, Biden said that U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of "an unprecedented attack" by the Chinese.

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November 2022: Classified Documents Found at Penn Biden Center

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

December 2022: Biden signs No TikTok on Government Devices Act

In December 2022, Biden signed the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, prohibiting the use of TikTok on devices owned by the federal government.

2022: Economic Slowdown and Recession Concerns

After 5.9% growth in 2021, real GDP growth cooled in 2022 to 2.1%, after slightly negative growth in the first half spurred recession concerns.

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: Biden Blocks National Railroad Strike

In 2022, President Biden blocked a national railroad strike planned by multiple labor unions.

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.

February 4, 2023: U.S. Shoots Down 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.

March 2023: Bank Failures and Regulatory Response

In March 2023, three U.S. banks failed, triggering a decline in global bank stock prices. President Biden expressed opposition to a bailout by taxpayers and claimed the rollback of Dodd-Frank regulations contributed to the bank's failure.

September 2023: COVID-19 Student Loan Pause Extended

President Biden extended the COVID-19 student loan pause through September 2023, with an "on ramp" period that extended some protections through September 30, 2024.

October 2023: Biden's Approval Rating Among Democrats Reaches Record Low

By October 2023, Biden's rating among Democrats had reached a record low of 75%.

October 2023: Increased Deportations

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

October 2023: Biden Responds to Hamas Attack on Israel

In October 2023, following Hamas's surprise attack on Israel, Biden stated his unequivocal support for Israel, condemned the attack, deployed aircraft carriers, and called for additional military aid. He also later pressured Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

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 13, 2023: House Formalizes Impeachment Inquiry into Biden

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

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

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

2023: Biden's Approval Rating Lowest of Modern Presidents

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

2023: Debt Limit Standoff and Agreement

In 2023, President Biden and congressional Republicans engaged in a standoff after the U.S. hit its debt limit. Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached a deal to raise the debt limit, averting a potential default.

2023: Inflation Surge

The period from 2021 to 2023 saw an inflation surge that overshadowed Joe Biden's presidency.

January 17, 2024: House Passes Resolution Denouncing Border Policy

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 with some Democratic support.

February 8, 2024: No Charges Brought Against Biden in Classified Documents Case

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

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

In February 2024, Alexander Smirnov, a former intelligence informant who was prominent in the bribery allegations against Biden, was charged with making false statements.

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

Following the killing of Palestinian civilians receiving food aid on February 29, 2024, Biden stated that the current level of aid flowing into Gaza was insufficient.

March 2024: Gallup Poll Shows Disapproval of Israeli Conduct

A March 2024 Gallup poll found that a strong majority of Americans disapproved of Israeli conduct during the war.

April 2024: Gaza War Protests Emerge on University Campuses

Beginning in April 2024, widespread Gaza war protests emerged on university campuses, denouncing Biden.

April 2024: Biden signs Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act

In April 2024, Biden signed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which would ban social networking services if they are determined to be a "foreign adversary controlled application".

May 2024: Biden Continues to Support Israel Amid Domestic Opposition

As of May 2024, Biden has continued to support Israel during the course of the war despite significant domestic opposition to American involvement and subsequent widespread protests.

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 2024: Biden administration increases tariffs on Chinese goods

In May 2024, the Biden administration doubled tariffs on solar cells imported from China and more than tripled tariffs on lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries imported from China. It also raised tariffs on imports of Chinese steel, aluminum, and medical materials.

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: Biden Issues Executive Action on Immigration

In June 2024, Biden issued an executive action offering amnesty to unauthorized immigrants married to American citizens, including a pathway to residency and citizenship, initially affecting about 500,000 people. The program was later struck down.

June 2024: Media Covers Concern About Biden's Mental Acuity After Debate

The media widely covered public concern about Biden's mental acuity after a weak performance in a June 2024 presidential debate.

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%.

July 17, 2024: Biden Again Tests Positive for COVID-19

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

September 2024: High Deportation Levels

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

September 25, 2024: House Condemns 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.

September 30, 2024: Extension of COVID-19 Student Loan Pause

Biden extended the COVID-19 student loan pause through September 2023, with an "on ramp" period that extended some of the pause's protections against credit reporting, collection efforts, and late payment fees through September 30, 2024.

October 2024: Biden Refuses to Block Port Strike

President Biden refused to block a port strike from the International Longshoremen's Association in October 2024.

December 2024: Gallup poll on Biden's presidency

A December 2024 Gallup poll indicated that 54% of Americans viewed Joe Biden's presidency as below average or poor, 26% as average, and 19% as above average or outstanding, with negative assessments on economic, national, and international issues.

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.

January 2025: Debt Limit Suspended

At the beginning of the 118th Congress, Biden and congressional Republicans engaged in a standoff after the U.S. hit its debt limit, which raised the risk that the U.S. would default on its debt. Biden and House speaker Kevin McCarthy struck a deal to raise the debt limit, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which suspended the debt limit until January 2025.

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 Declares ERA Ratified

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

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.

February 7, 2025: Trump Revokes Biden's Security Clearance

On February 7, 2025, Donald Trump revoked Biden's security clearance, ending his access to classified information.

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.