The Presidents of the USA

John Biden was born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to a working-class family. His father, Joseph Biden Sr., was a used car salesman, and his mother, Catherine Eugenia "Jean" Finnegan, instilled in him a strong sense of perseverance and compassion. The family faced economic hardships during John’s early years, moving to Claymont, Delaware, when he was ten years old in search of better opportunities.

Biden attended Archmere Academy, a Catholic prep school, where he excelled as a student and football player despite a stutter that made public speaking challenging. He went on to study history and political science at the University of Delaware and later earned a law degree from Syracuse University.
His marriage to Neilia Hunter in 1966 marked the beginning of a family life marked by both joy and tragedy, including the devastating loss of his wife and daughter in a car accident in 1972 (a few weeks after Biden was elected senator).
Biden met teacher Jill Tracy Jacobs in 1975 on a blind date. They married at the United Nations chapel in New York on June 17, 1977

John Biden’s political career began in 1970 when he was elected to the New Castle County Council. His ability to connect with voters and his keen interest in public policy quickly set him apart. In 1972, at just 29 years old, Biden became one of the youngest individuals ever elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Delaware. However, tragedy struck shortly after his election when his wife, Neilia, and their daughter, Naomi, were killed in a car accident. Biden’s resilience during this time, as he commuted daily from Washington, D.C., to Delaware to be with his two sons, Beau and Hunter, became a defining feature of his character.

During his time in the Senate, Biden became a prominent voice on foreign relations, criminal justice, and domestic policy. He chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1987 to 1995, where he oversaw significant legislation, including the 1994 Crime Bill and the Violence Against Women Act. Biden was also a long-time member and later chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he played a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, including issues related to NATO expansion, arms control, and interventions in the Balkans.

Biden ran for president in 1988 but withdrew after allegations of plagiarism in his campaign speeches. His second presidential bid in 2008 was similarly unsuccessful, but it paved the way for him to join Barack Obama’s ticket as vice president. Serving two terms as vice president from 2009 to 2017, Biden was instrumental in implementing major initiatives like the Affordable Care Act and the Recovery Act, which helped steer the U.S. economy out of the Great Recession.

John Biden announced his candidacy for president in April 2019, framing his campaign around the “battle for the soul of the nation.” His platform emphasized unity, empathy, and a return to stability in governance after a tumultuous political era. The campaign focused on healthcare, economic recovery, climate change, and restoring America’s standing on the global stage.

Despite a crowded Democratic primary field, Biden’s reputation as a seasoned statesman and his ability to connect with working-class voters secured him the nomination. In the general election, he faced incumbent President Donald Trump in one of the most divisive elections in modern U.S. history. Amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice protests, and widespread political polarization, Biden’s message of “Build Back Better” resonated with a broad coalition of voters.

On November 7, 2020, Biden was declared the winner after securing 306 Electoral College votes and over 81 million popular votes—the highest in U.S. history at the time. His running mate, Kamala Harris, also made history as the first woman and person of South Asian and African descent to be elected vice president.

President John Biden’s tenure began on January 20, 2021, amid a period of profound national challenges. His administration’s priorities included combating the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing economic inequities, and tackling climate change. Within his first 100 days, Biden signed into law the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, providing economic relief to millions of Americans and funding vaccine distribution efforts that accelerated the country’s recovery from the pandemic.

On the international front, Biden sought to restore alliances strained during the previous administration. He rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, recommitted to NATO, and worked to strengthen U.S. relations with allies in Europe and Asia. However, his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by August 2021 was met with both praise and criticism. While it ended America’s longest war, the chaotic evacuation from Kabul drew significant scrutiny.

Biden’s domestic agenda focused on transformative investments in infrastructure, education, and clean energy. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed in late 2021, aimed to modernize America’s roads, bridges, and public transit systems while creating millions of jobs. His Build Back Better proposal, although ambitious, faced challenges in Congress, resulting in scaled-down versions of its provisions being enacted.

Social justice was another cornerstone of Biden’s presidency. He signed executive orders aimed at advancing racial equity and combating discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. His administration also worked to protect voting rights, although legislative efforts were often stymied by partisan gridlock.
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022 marked a significant moment in Biden’s presidency. He strongly condemned the ruling and called for legislative protections for reproductive rights, reflecting his broader commitment to defending individual freedoms.

As the world grappled with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Biden’s leadership was pivotal in coordinating international support for Ukraine. His administration imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia and provided billions in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, underscoring the U.S.’s commitment to democracy and sovereignty.

Economic recovery under Biden saw mixed results. While unemployment reached historic lows and job growth remained strong, inflation emerged as a persistent challenge. Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act aimed to address these concerns by targeting healthcare costs, clean energy investments, and corporate tax reforms.

Throughout his presidency, Biden emphasized unity and the need for bipartisan cooperation, though political polarization often impeded significant legislative progress. Despite these challenges, his administration’s achievements in healthcare, infrastructure, and climate policy left a lasting impact.

Concerns about Biden's age and health persisted throughout his term, with Biden's staffers and family members insulating him from scrutiny and managing declines in his acuity. He initially ran for reelection and, after the Democratic primaries, became the party's presumptive nominee in the 2024 presidential election. After his performance in the first presidential debate, renewed scrutiny from across the political spectrum about his cognitive ability led him to withdraw his candidacy. He was replaced by Vice President Harris, who lost to Trump in the general election, and Biden retired after Trump was inaugurated.

As the oldest president in U.S. history at the time of his inauguration, he brought decades of experience to the role, navigating the nation through unprecedented challenges. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his commitment to restoring America’s global standing earned him respect both at home and abroad.

Biden’s presidency was marked by significant legislative achievements, particularly in infrastructure and climate policy. While his tenure faced criticism for partisan gridlock and challenges such as inflation, his efforts to promote unity and bipartisan cooperation reflected his deep belief in the power of democracy.

As a lifelong advocate for justice and equality, Biden’s work on healthcare, racial equity, and workers’ rights cemented his place as a champion of the middle class and underserved communities. His legacy endures as a testament to the power of perseverance, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the American people.