Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Joe Biden

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

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. Prior to his presidency, he served as the 47th Vice President under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. His career encompasses decades of public service in both the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government.

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, Joe Biden supported a measure forbidding the use of federal funds for transporting students beyond the school closest to them.

1976: Used Passage by Hubert Humphrey

Two years prior to August 1987 Joe Biden used a 1976 passage by Hubert Humphrey in a speech.

1977: Co-sponsored amendment closing loopholes

In 1977, Joe Biden co-sponsored an amendment closing loopholes in a measure forbidding federal funds for busing.

1984: Objected to Strategic Defense Initiative

In a congressional hearing in 1984, Joe Biden objected to the Strategic Defense Initiative plan to construct autonomous systems of ICBM defense and excoriated Secretary of State George Shultz for the Reagan administration's support of South Africa despite its policy of apartheid.

1988: Robert Bork Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings

In 1988, as chair, Joe Biden presided over the highly contentious U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Robert Bork and ultimately voted against his confirmation.

1989: MBNA became a major contributor to Biden's campaigns

In 1989, the credit card company MBNA became a significant contributor to Joe Biden's political campaigns, leading to him sometimes being referred to as the "senator from MBNA".

1991: Clarence Thomas Nomination Hearings

In 1991, Joe Biden oversaw Clarence Thomas's nomination hearings, which included allegations of sexual harassment by Anita Hill. Biden's handling of the hearings was criticized, and Thomas was confirmed.

1993: Voted for Provision Banning Gay People from Military

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

1993: Alleged sexual assault

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

1994: Helped pass Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act

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. He later expressed regret for the 1994 crime law, unpopular among progressives and criticized for resulting in mass incarceration.

1996: Voted for 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: Voted in favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq

In October 2002, Joe 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.

2005: Called Iraq War Vote a Mistake

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

2005: Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act Passed

In 2005, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act passed, with Joe Biden being one of only 18 Democrats to vote for it. Leading Democrats and consumer rights organizations opposed it.

2006: Shifted stance on Iraq War

By late 2006, Joe Biden's stance on the Iraq War had shifted considerably.

April 2009: Swine flu outbreak response causes controversy

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

March 23, 2010: Hot mic incident

On March 23, 2010, Joe Biden was picked up on a hot mic telling Obama that his signing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was "a big fucking deal".

August 2012: Controversial remark

In August 2012, Joe Biden made a remark before a mixed-race audience that Republican proposals to relax Wall Street regulations would "put y'all back in chains" again drawing attention to his propensity for colorful remarks.

2014: Hunter Biden joins Burisma Board

In 2014 Hunter Biden joined the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

2014: The New Yorker noted Biden's tendency to exaggerate

In 2014, The New Yorker noted Joe Biden's tendency to embellish elements of his life or exaggerate details, a trait also highlighted by The New York Times.

2014: Start of offenses covered by Hunter Biden pardon

On December 1, 2024, President Biden issued a "full and unconditional" pardon to Hunter Biden that covered all federal offenses between 2014 and December 1, 2024.

2014: Pardons Issued for Family Members and High-Profile Figures

On his last day in office, President Biden issued pardons for more of his family members and other high-profile figures covering offenses committed since 2014, citing concern about "baseless and politically motivated investigations" during Trump's second term.

April 2019: Pledged to be more respectful of personal space

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

September 2019: Controversy with Ukrainian President

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, resulting in a political scandal and Trump's impeachment.

2019: Regret to Anita Hill

In 2019, Joe Biden told Anita Hill he regretted his treatment of her during the Clarence Thomas nomination hearings in 1991, but Hill remained unsatisfied.

2019: Biden supported Roe v. Wade and repealing the Hyde Amendment

In 2019, Joe Biden voiced his support for Roe v. Wade and advocated for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment, despite his personal opposition to abortion due to his Catholic faith.

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 had previously accused Biden of inappropriate physical contact in 2019, accused him of sexual assault, allegedly occurring in 1993. Biden and his campaign denied the allegation, citing inconsistencies in Reade's claims.

2020: Biden Promised to End Private Prison 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, despite his 2020 campaign promise to end the practice.

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 assembled to count the electoral votes and formalize Biden's victory. During the attack, Biden addressed the nation, calling the events "an unprecedented assault unlike anything we've seen in modern times".

2021: Biden Revokes Trump's Security Clearance

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

September 2, 2022: Biden Calls for "Battle for 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".

September 2022: Biden's Comments on Defending Taiwan

In a September 2022 interview, President Biden stated that U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of an "unprecedented attack" by China, a comment that contrasted with the U.S. policy of "strategic ambiguity." His administration subsequently walked back these statements.

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. The documents were reported to the U.S. National Archives, which recovered them the next day.

2022: House passed a bill codifying the protections of Roe v. Wade

In 2022, a bill to codify the protections of Roe v. Wade into federal law was passed by the House, but it was unable to clear the Senate filibuster.

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

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.

October 2023: Hamas Attack on Israel and U.S. Response

In October 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, leading to intensified conflict. President Biden stated his support for Israel, condemned Hamas, deployed aircraft carriers to the region, and requested $14 billion in military aid for Israel. He later pressured Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supported "humanitarian pauses."

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 President Biden.

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 by a vote of 225–187.

February 2024: Smirnov Charged with False Statements

In February 2024, Alexander Smirnov, a former intelligence informant, was charged with making false statements regarding bribery allegations against Joe Biden. Smirnov admitted to spreading a false story provided by Russian intelligence officials with the intent to damage Biden's reelection campaign.

June 2024: Biden issues executive action offering amnesty to unauthorized immigrants

In June 2024, Biden issued an executive action providing amnesty to unauthorized immigrants married to American citizens, offering a pathway to U.S. residency and citizenship, initially affecting around 500,000 people. This was later struck down.

December 1, 2024: Biden Issues Full Pardon to Hunter Biden

On December 1, 2024, President Biden issued a "full and unconditional" pardon to Hunter Biden that covered all federal offenses between 2014 and December 1, 2024. The pardon's sweeping extent was "unprecedented".

December 12, 2024: Biden Grants Clemency to Nonviolent Felons

On December 12, 2024, President Biden granted clemency to about 1,500 nonviolent felons in home confinement who had previously been released from prison. The act included felons such as Michael Conahan and Rita Crundwell, which generated controversy.

December 2024: Pardoned Hunter Biden

In December 2024, Joe Biden pardoned Hunter Biden following his conviction on gun and tax charges despite repeated promises that he would not do so.

January 2025: Biden declares Equal Rights Amendment ratified

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