President Joe Biden will conclude his 50-year political career on Wednesday with a final Oval Office address, aiming to solidify a legacy overshadowed by the Democrats’ inability to prevent Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Initially running as a transitional candidate in 2020, Biden, at the unprecedented age of 80, chose to seek reelection, believing he was the only Democrat capable of defeating Trump. However, after a poor showing in a July debate, Biden was forced out of the race. His exit has drawn criticism from Democrats who blame him for the party’s losses in November, when Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign failed to secure any battleground states.
During his presidency, Biden and his team oversaw economic recovery from COVID-19, revitalized infrastructure, boosted semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced climate initiatives. Despite these accomplishments, he struggled to bridge the country’s divisions and halt global democratic backsliding. His signature achievement—defeating Trump in 2020—proved fleeting, with the Republican president-elect vowing to dismantle much of his administration’s progress.
In a letter released by the White House on Wednesday, Biden reflected on the ongoing challenges to America’s identity and called on citizens to defend the nation’s values of equality and liberty. “I ran for president because I believed the soul of America was at stake,” he wrote. “That remains true today.”
White House officials remain optimistic about Biden’s long-term legacy, citing his extensive legislative achievements, which they believe will have lasting benefits. Allies, such as Senator Chris Coons, credit Biden with navigating the U.S. through crises, including the pandemic and the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol attack.
Although his administration spearheaded vaccine distribution and economic recovery, persistent inflation and high costs tarnished his economic record, giving Republicans the opportunity to gain ground in elections. Critics, however, argue that decades of rising inequality cannot be reversed in just a few years, despite the administration’s significant policy efforts.
On the foreign policy front, Biden highlights the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the unified Western response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and strengthened international alliances as key achievements. Yet, the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, which resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. troops, and Biden’s support for Israel during its conflict with Hamas have drawn significant criticism, including within his own party.
Ultimately, observers like Vincent Rigby, a former Canadian national security adviser, suggest that Biden may be remembered as an “interlude” president—one who achieved meaningful progress but was ultimately overshadowed by Trump’s resurgence. “He held the line, but Trump came back,” Rigby said, encapsulating the mixed sentiments surrounding Biden’s presidency.
