Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Joe Biden

Public opinion and media debates around Joe Biden—discover key moments of controversy.

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

1976: Supported measure forbidding federal funds for busing

In 1976, Biden supported a measure that forbade the use of federal funds for transporting students beyond the school closest to them, reflecting his stance against busing to remedy de facto segregation.

1976: Used passage by Hubert Humphrey

Two years before declaring his candidacy for president, in 1976, Biden used a passage by Hubert Humphrey in a speech.

1977: Co-sponsored amendment closing busing loopholes

In 1977, Biden co-sponsored an amendment aimed at closing loopholes in the 1976 measure that restricted the use of federal funds for student transportation, further solidifying his opposition to race-integration busing.

1978: Amendment signed into law

In 1978, the amendment co-sponsored by Biden in 1977, closing loopholes in the measure forbidding the use of federal funds for transporting students beyond the school closest to them, was signed into law by President Carter.

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

In 1988, as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Biden presided over the contentious U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearing of Robert Bork. Biden reversed his earlier approval of a hypothetical Bork nomination and ultimately opposed Bork, whose nomination was rejected by the committee and the full Senate.

1989: Biden close to MBNA

Since 1989, Joe Biden was viewed as being close to the credit card company MBNA, a major contributor to his campaigns.

1991: Oversaw Clarence Thomas's nomination hearings

In 1991, Biden oversaw Clarence Thomas's nomination hearings, where his questioning was criticized as convoluted. The hearings were reopened after Anita Hill's accusations of sexual harassment against Thomas became public, leading to controversy over Biden's handling of the situation.

1993: Voted for provision deeming homosexuality incompatible with military life

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

1993: Alleged sexual assault by Joe Biden

In March 2020, Tara Reade accused Joe Biden of sexually assaulting her in 1993. Biden and his campaign denied the allegation.

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

In 1994, Biden played a key role in passing the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which included a ban on assault weapons and the Violence Against Women Act. This act has been both praised and criticized for its impact on crime and incarceration rates.

1996: Voted for the Defense of Marriage Act

In 1996, Biden voted for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. DOMA was later ruled unconstitutional in 2015.

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

In October 2002, Biden, as chair 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 later called this vote a "mistake".

2005: Called vote for Iraq War a mistake

By 2005, Biden described his 2002 vote in favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq as a "mistake", but he did not push for withdrawal.

2005: Voted for Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act

In 2005, Biden was one of 18 Democrats who voted for the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, despite opposition from leading Democrats and consumer rights organizations.

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.

2014: Biden's embellishments

According to The New Yorker in 2014, Joe Biden often embellishes elements of his life or exaggerates.

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.

2019: Expressed regret to Anita Hill

In 2019, Biden told Anita Hill he regretted his treatment of her during the 1991 Clarence Thomas nomination hearings; however, Hill stated afterward that she remained unsatisfied.

2019: Accusations of inappropriate physical contact

In 2019, Tara Reade was one of eight women who accused Joe Biden of inappropriate physical contact.

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.

2021: Biden revoked Trump's security clearance

In 2021, Joe Biden revoked Donald Trump's security clearance due to his role in inciting the January 6 Capitol attack.

September 2, 2022: Biden's "Battle for the Soul of the Nation" Speech

On September 2, 2022, 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" off camera, drawing criticism from Republican commentators.

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.

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.

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.

October 2023: Record high domestic oil production

Despite Joe Biden's clean energy policies, domestic oil production reached a record high in October 2023.

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.

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.

June 2024: Biden's Pledge Not to Pardon Hunter

In June 2024, Joe Biden pledged not to pardon his son Hunter.

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: Clemency Act for Nonviolent Felons

In December 2024, Biden granted clemency to about 1,500 nonviolent felons in home confinement, generating controversy due to the inclusion of individuals like Michael Conahan and Rita Crundwell.