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. is an American politician who served as the 46th president of the United States (2021-2025). As a member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 47th vice president (2009-2017) and as a U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973-2009).

Sections (7)

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

1976: Supported measure forbidding use of federal funds for transporting students

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

1976: Use of Hubert Humphrey Passage

Two years prior to the events of the passage, in 1976, Joe Biden used a passage by Hubert Humphrey in a speech, later acknowledging that politicians often borrow from one another.

1977: Co-sponsored amendment closing loopholes

In 1977, Joe Biden co-sponsored an amendment closing loopholes in the 1976 measure that forbade the use of federal funds for transporting students.

1978: President Carter signed amendment into law

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

1984: Objected to Strategic Defense Initiative plan

In a congressional hearing in 1984, Joe Biden objected to the Strategic Defense Initiative plan to construct autonomous systems of ICBM defense.

1988: Robert Bork Nomination Hearings

In 1988, as chair, Joe Biden presided over the contentious U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Robert Bork. Biden reversed his earlier approval of a hypothetical Bork nomination, and Bork's nomination was ultimately rejected.

1989: Biden was viewed as being close to the credit card company MBNA

Since 1989, 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

During Clarence Thomas's nomination hearings in 1991, Joe Biden's questioning was noted for its complexity. He faced criticism for his handling of Anita Hill's accusations against Thomas, leading to controversy.

1991: Opposed the Gulf War

In 1991, Joe Biden opposed the Gulf War, taking a stance against military intervention in the Middle East.

1993: Vote on Homosexuality and Military Service

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

1993: Alleged Sexual Assault by Tara Reade

In 1993, Tara Reade alleged that Joe Biden sexually assaulted her. This accusation resurfaced in March 2020, intensifying scrutiny of Biden's past behavior.

1994: Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act Passage

In 1994, Joe Biden helped pass the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which included a ban on assault weapons and the Violence Against Women Act. Biden later expressed regret for passing this bill due to its impact on mass incarceration.

1996: Defense of Marriage Act Vote

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

October 2002: Vote in Favor of Iraq War Authorization

In October 2002, Joe Biden voted in favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq, later calling it a 'mistake' by 2005.

2002: Voted in Favor of Iraq War Resolution

In 2002, Joe Biden voted in favor of the Iraq War Resolution, a decision that would later be viewed with scrutiny.

2005: Criticism of the Iraq War

By 2005, Joe Biden had become a critic of the Iraq War, calling his earlier vote a 'mistake,' though he did not push for withdrawal.

2005: Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention Act

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

2006: Shift in Stance on Iraq War

By late 2006, Joe Biden's stance on the Iraq War had shifted considerably, marking a change in his foreign policy views.

April 2009: Biden makes off-message remark on swine flu outbreak

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

August 2012: Biden makes 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", which drew attention to his propensity for colorful remarks.

2013: Robert Hur's report on Biden's memory

In 2013, as part of the investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents, special counsel Robert Hur noted that Biden did not remember when he was vice president or when his son Beau died, characterizing his memory as having "significant limitations".

2014: Hunter Biden Joins Burisma

Hunter Biden's pardon covered any criminal behavior since 2014—the year that Hunter joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

2014: Biden's Exaggerations Noted by The New Yorker

In 2014, The New Yorker noted that Joe Biden often embellishes elements of his life or exaggerates, a trait also pointed out by The New York Times.

2014: Start Date for Hunter Biden Pardon Coverage

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

2014: Biden Pardons Family

President Biden issued pardons for more of his family members and other high-profile figures, covering federal offenses they committed or may have committed between 2014 and the day of the pardon.

April 2019: Biden pledges to be more respectful

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

September 2019: Trump pressures Zelenskyy to investigate Biden

In September 2019, it was reported that then-President Donald Trump pressured Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, leading to a political scandal and Trump's impeachment.

2019: Regret for Treatment of Anita Hill

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

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, alleged that he sexually assaulted her in 1993. Biden and his campaign denied the allegations.

2020: 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 stormed the U.S. Capitol during the electoral vote count, disrupting the formalization of Biden's victory. Biden addressed the nation, condemning the events. Congress later certified Biden and Harris as the winners.

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.

June 2022: Inflation Peaked at 9.1%

In June 2022, inflation peaked at 9.1% during Biden's presidency, contributing to public frustration and declining approval ratings.

September 2, 2022: Philadelphia Speech

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

November 2022: Discovery of Classified Documents at Penn Biden Center

In November 2022, attorneys for President Biden discovered classified documents dating back to his time as vice president in a "locked closet" at the Penn Biden Center. These documents were reported to the U.S. National Archives and subsequently recovered the following day.

January 11, 2023: House Investigation into Biden Family's Foreign 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 his brother, James. Representative James Comer, the committee's chair, also investigated alleged corruption related to the Hunter Biden laptop controversy.

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 strong support for Israel and condemned the attack, deploying aircraft carriers and requesting $14 billion in military aid to Israel. He later pressured Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supported "humanitarian pauses" for aid delivery, while rejecting calls for a ceasefire. Biden also directed the U.S. military to help deliver humanitarian aid and asked Israel to pause its invasion of Gaza for at least three days to allow for hostage negotiations.

December 13, 2023: House Vote to Formalize Impeachment Inquiry

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

December 2023: No Evidence of Wrongdoing Found

As of December 2023, congressional investigations, including by the House Oversight committee, had discovered no evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden.

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

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

February 2024: Alexander Smirnov charged with making false statements

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

March 2024: Public Disapproval of Israeli Conduct

In March 2024, a Gallup poll revealed that a strong majority of Americans disapproved of Israeli conduct during the war in Gaza. This sentiment underscored significant domestic opposition to American involvement and support for Israel.

April 2024: Gaza War Protests on University Campuses

Beginning in April 2024, widespread protests against the Gaza war emerged on university campuses. The protests were used to denounce President Biden's policies and actions regarding the conflict.

June 2024: Biden Issues Executive Action on Immigration

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

June 2024: Media Coverage of Concerns About Biden's Mental Acuity

In June 2024, the media widely covered public concern about Joe Biden's mental acuity after a weak performance in a presidential debate. While Biden repeatedly asserted his fitness for two terms, he later acknowledged potential age-related limitations.

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, with commentators noting he frequently lost his train of thought and gave meandering answers. The debate raised questions about his health and age, leading to calls for him to withdraw from the race.

August 2024: U.S. Aid to Afghanistan Post-Withdrawal

As of August 2024, the U.S. remained the biggest aid donor to Afghanistan post-withdrawal, having spent at least $20.7 billion. This U.S. funding helped support the Taliban government and stabilized Afghanistan's economy.

September 25, 2024: House Resolution Condemning Biden Administration's 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, 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, covering all federal offenses between 2014 and December 1, 2024.

December 12, 2024: Clemency 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, marking the largest single-day clemency act in history. The act generated controversy.

December 2024: Biden pardoned Hunter Biden

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

2024: Biden's presidency deemed a failure

In 2024, according to Gallup, public perception of the economy was worse only in 2008 and 1992, helping Trump win the 2024 presidential election. Journalist Amy Walter argued that Biden's presidency was deemed a failure by the public, particularly due to frustration over inflation.

2024: Withdrew Candidacy for Reelection

In 2024, after a poor performance in the first presidential debate and renewed scrutiny about his cognitive ability, Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy for reelection.

January 2025: Biden Declares Equal Rights Amendment Ratified

In January 2025, President Biden declared the lapsed Equal Rights Amendment ratified as the "28th Amendment" to the Constitution. However, this declaration had no formal legal effect, and the National Archives did not intend to certify the amendment.

2025: Biden's Cognitive Health Perceived to Decline

As of 2025, Joe Biden was the oldest sitting president in U.S. history. There were perceptions, particularly among Republicans and some media figures, and privately by some Democrats, that his cognitive health was declining. His family and White House staffers worked to shield him from scrutiny regarding his aging and diminished acuity.