Listen To Story Above

Biden’s presidency concluded with a stark contrast to his initial promise of national healing. His pledge to “restore the soul” of America and relegate Donald Trump to a historical footnote fell short of its ambitious goals.

Princeton University historian Sean Wilentz, who engaged with Biden twice at the White House, reflected that the president’s approach was fundamentally about normalizing American politics. “Let’s try to get things back to normal as best we can,” Wilentz recalls of Biden’s stance.

Reality proved more complex. Despite notable achievements in bipartisan legislation and international diplomacy, Biden’s presidency couldn’t prevent Trump’s political resurgence. The electoral outcome dealt a devastating blow to the veteran politician’s final chapter.

“The fact is, the abnormality did not end,” said Wilentz. “He may not have appreciated what he was up against.”

As Biden prepares for his farewell address from the Oval Office, public opinion reflects a challenging legacy. Recent AP-NORC polling reveals only a quarter of Americans rate him as good or great, falling below Trump’s numbers at his departure.

Nevertheless, Biden’s inner circle maintains optimism about his historical impact. Steve Ricchetti, his longtime adviser and White House counselor, argues, “We lost a close election under closely contested, hard-fought issues, but that doesn’t mean that what we did and how we did it hasn’t helped change the country for the better.”

The question of Biden’s place in American political history looms large. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware poses a profound query: “Which one is the aberration, Biden or Trump? Has the United States permanently moved in a populist and right-wing direction, and Biden was just a temporary interruption?”

Biden’s journey from youngest senator to oldest president parallels significant moments in American history. Initially viewed as too senior for another presidential run after serving as Obama’s vice president, he emerged from retirement following Trump’s controversial Charlottesville remarks.

His presidency saw substantial legislative achievements, including infrastructure development, clean energy initiatives, and healthcare reforms. Senator Chris Murphy notes, “There were these powerful entities that the Democratic Party had been unsuccessful in confronting. And Biden beat them all.”

Yet challenges persisted. Economic inflation, border issues, and foreign policy complications, particularly regarding Afghanistan and the Israel-Hamas conflict, complicated his tenure. Despite accomplishments, voter concerns centered on practical matters like rising costs and immigration.

David Axelrod, a former Obama adviser, observed, “Biden was very interested in becoming a historic president. That was sort of an obsession. So he had a hard time acknowledging mistakes or failure.”

Biden’s decision to seek reelection, despite age concerns, ultimately led to his withdrawal following a challenging debate performance. His endorsement of Vice President Harris couldn’t prevent Trump’s comeback.

In his final Rose Garden address, Biden remained optimistic about America’s future, urging citizens to “keep the faith.” When questioned about potential regrets, Biden maintained he could have won had he stayed in the race.

White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt draws parallels to previous presidents who left office amid low approval ratings but achieved significant reforms, suggesting history might view Biden’s presidency more favorably with time.