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. 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: Use of Hubert Humphrey Passage

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

1976: Supported measure forbidding federal funds for transporting students

Joe Biden supported a 1976 measure forbidding the use of federal funds for transporting students beyond the school closest to them.

1977: Co-sponsored amendment closing loopholes

Joe Biden co-sponsored a 1977 amendment closing loopholes in the measure forbidding the use of federal funds for transporting students.

1978: President Carter signed amendment into law

President Carter signed the 1977 amendment co-sponsored by Joe Biden into law in 1978.

1989: Biden Close to Credit Card Company MBNA

Since 1989, while a senator, Joe Biden was viewed as being close to the credit card company MBNA, a major contributor to his campaigns, sometimes being called the "senator from MBNA".

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.

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.

2005: Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act Passage

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

2006: Shift in Stance on Iraq War

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

April 2009: Swine Flu Gaffe

In April 2009, Joe Biden made an off-message response during the beginning of the swine flu outbreak, leading to a swift retraction by the White House and reviving his reputation for gaffes.

March 23, 2010: Hot Mic Incident

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

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.

August 2012: Colorful Remarks

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

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: Hunter Biden Joins Burisma

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

2014: The New Yorker notes Biden's embellishments

In 2014, The New Yorker, along with The New York Times, noted that Joe Biden often embellishes elements of his life or exaggerates facts. This included claims of being more active in the civil rights movement than he was and falsely stating he was an excellent student with three college degrees.

2014: Pardon for 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.

2014: Pardons 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 federal offenses committed or potentially committed since 2014.

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: Regret Over Treatment of 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: 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.

2020: Biden's Campaign Promise on Private Prisons

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

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.

2021: Biden revokes Trump's security clearance

In 2021, Joe Biden revoked Donald Trump's security clearance due to Trump's role in inciting the January 6 Capitol attack. Former presidents have traditionally been granted access to intelligence briefings, although this is at the discretion of the current president.

September 2, 2022: Biden's Philadelphia Speech

On September 2, 2022, President Biden gave a nationally broadcast speech in Philadelphia, calling for a "battle for the soul of the nation" and referring to Trump supporters as "semi-fascists".

September 2022: Statement on defending Taiwan

In September 2022, during an interview with 60 Minutes, President Biden stated that U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of an "unprecedented attack" by China, contrasting with the U.S. policy of "strategic ambiguity".

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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 1, 2024: Pardon for 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.

December 12, 2024: Clemency Act for 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.

December 2024: Pardoned Hunter Biden

In December 2024, Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden following his conviction on gun and tax charges.

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%.

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.