Joe Biden
Took office in the COVID-19 pandemic and signed the American Rescue Plan, a bipartisan infrastructure law, the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Inflation hit a 40-year high of 9.1% in June 2022. He withdrew from the 2024 race after a widely criticized debate, and ended his term with sweeping pardons, including for his son.
The economy, first day to last
Shaded areas show the years in office, with a few years before and after for comparison. Budget years run October to September, so a new president's first budget year starts the fall after they take office.
National debt
Jan 20, 2021: $27.75 trillion → Jan 17, 2025: $36.21 trillion
Debt compared with the economy
Debt as a share of GDP. Above 100% means the debt is bigger than a year of everything the country produces.
Deficits and surpluses
Money borrowed each budget year (below the line) or paid down (above).
Unemployment
Jan 2021: 6.4% → Jan 2025: 4.0%. Monthly rates; the chart shows yearly averages.
Inflation
How much prices rose each year (consumer price index).
Cost of living
What everyday prices and paychecks did while in office.
Prices use the consumer price index (MeasuringWorth). The minimum wage is the federal rate set by Congress.
Executive orders
162 orders, numbered 13985–14146.
Orders signed each year
Source: Federal Register: Biden executive orders (full list of every order).
Notable orders
Advancing racial equityEO 13985January 20, 2021
Directed every agency to review whether its programs create barriers for underserved communities. Revoked in 2025.
Federal RegisterClimate and the Keystone XL pipelineEO 13990January 20, 2021
Revoked the permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline and ordered a review of Trump-era environmental rules.
Federal RegisterTackling the climate crisisEO 14008January 27, 2021
Paused new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters and set a goal of conserving 30% of U.S. land and water by 2030.
Federal RegisterPromoting access to votingEO 14019March 7, 2021
Directed agencies to help people register and vote. Critics argued it put federal agencies into election work.
Federal RegisterCOVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractorsEO 14042September 9, 2021
Required employees of federal contractors to be vaccinated. Blocked by federal courts and later withdrawn.
Federal RegisterArtificial intelligence safetyEO 14110October 30, 2023
Required developers of the most powerful AI systems to share safety test results with the government. Revoked in 2025.
Federal RegisterEvery executive order 162Search, filter by topic or year, and open any order's full text
- EO 13985January 20, 2021Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal GovernmentRevoked
- EO 13986January 20, 2021Ensuring a Lawful and Accurate Enumeration and Apportionment Pursuant to the Decennial CensusRevoked
- EO 13987January 20, 2021Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government to Provide a Unified and Effective Response To Combat COVID-19 and To Provide United States Leadership on Global Health and SecurityRevoked
- EO 13988January 20, 2021Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual OrientationRevoked
- EO 13989January 20, 2021Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch PersonnelRevoked
- EO 13990January 20, 2021Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate CrisisRevoked
- EO 13991January 20, 2021Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-WearingRevoked
- EO 13992January 20, 2021Revocation of Certain Executive Orders Concerning Federal RegulationRevoked
- EO 13993January 20, 2021Revision of Civil Immigration Enforcement Policies and PrioritiesRevoked
- EO 13994January 21, 2021Ensuring a Data-Driven Response to COVID-19 and Future High-Consequence Public Health ThreatsRevoked
- EO 13995January 21, 2021Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and RecoveryRevoked
- EO 13996January 21, 2021Establishing the COVID-19 Pandemic Testing Board and Ensuring a Sustainable Public Health Workforce for COVID-19 and Other Biological ThreatsRevoked
- EO 13997January 21, 2021Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19Revoked
- EO 13998January 21, 2021Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International TravelRevoked
- EO 13999January 21, 2021Protecting Worker Health and SafetyRevoked
- EO 14000January 21, 2021Supporting the Reopening and Continuing Operation of Schools and Early Childhood Education ProvidersRevoked
- EO 14001January 21, 2021A Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain
- EO 14002January 22, 2021Economic Relief Related to the COVID-19 PandemicRevoked
- EO 14003January 22, 2021Protecting the Federal WorkforceRevoked
- EO 14004January 25, 2021Enabling All Qualified Americans to Serve Their Country in UniformRevoked
- EO 14005January 25, 2021Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America's Workers
- EO 14006January 26, 2021Reforming Our Incarceration System To Eliminate the Use of Privately Operated Criminal Detention FacilitiesRevoked
- EO 14007January 27, 2021President's Council of Advisors on Science and TechnologyRevoked
- EO 14008January 27, 2021Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and AbroadRevoked
- EO 14009January 28, 2021Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care ActRevoked
- EO 14010February 2, 2021Creating a Comprehensive Regional Framework To Address the Causes of Migration, To Manage Migration Throughout North and Central America, and To Provide Safe and Orderly Processing of Asylum Seekers at the United States BorderRevoked
- EO 14011February 2, 2021Establishment of Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of FamiliesRevoked
- EO 14012February 2, 2021Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New AmericansRevoked
- EO 14013February 4, 2021Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs To Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on MigrationRevoked
- EO 14014February 10, 2021Blocking Property With Respect to the Situation in Burma
- EO 14015February 14, 2021Establishment of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood PartnershipsRevoked
- EO 14016February 17, 2021Revocation of Executive Order 13801
- EO 14017February 24, 2021America's Supply ChainsPartially superseded
- EO 14018February 24, 2021Revocation of Certain Presidential ActionsRevoked
- EO 14019March 7, 2021Promoting Access to VotingRevoked
- EO 14020March 8, 2021Establishment of the White House Gender Policy CouncilRevoked
- EO 14021March 8, 2021Guaranteeing an Educational Environment Free From Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Including Sexual Orientation or Gender IdentityRevoked
- EO 14022April 1, 2021Termination of Emergency With Respect to the International Criminal CourtRevoked
- EO 14023April 9, 2021Establishment of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United StatesRevoked
- EO 14024April 15, 2021Blocking Property With Respect to Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian FederationAmended
- EO 14025April 26, 2021Worker Organizing and Empowerment
- EO 14026April 27, 2021Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal ContractorsRevoked
- EO 14027May 7, 2021Establishment of the Climate Change Support OfficeRevoked
- EO 14028May 12, 2021Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity
- EO 14029May 14, 2021Revocation of Certain Presidential Actions and Technical AmendmentRevoked
- EO 14030May 20, 2021Climate-Related Financial RiskRevoked
- EO 14031May 28, 2021Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific IslandersRevoked
- EO 14032June 3, 2021Addressing the Threat From Securities Investments That Finance Certain Companies of the People's Republic of China
- EO 14033June 8, 2021Blocking Property and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Certain Persons Contributing to the Destabilizing Situation in the Western BalkansAmended
- EO 14034June 9, 2021Protecting Americans' Sensitive Data From Foreign AdversariesAmended
- EO 14035June 25, 2021Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal WorkforceRevoked
- EO 14036July 9, 2021Promoting Competition in the American EconomyRevoked
- EO 14037August 5, 2021Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and TrucksRevoked
- EO 14038August 9, 2021Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus
- EO 14039August 20, 2021Blocking Property With Respect to Certain Russian Energy Export Pipelines
- EO 14040September 3, 2021Declassification Reviews of Certain Documents Concerning the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001
- EO 14041September 3, 2021White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Historically Black Colleges and UniversitiesRevoked
- EO 14042September 9, 2021Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal ContractorsRevoked
- EO 14043September 9, 2021Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal EmployeesRevoked
- EO 14044September 13, 2021Amending Executive Order 14007Revoked
- EO 14045September 13, 2021White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for HispanicsRevoked
- EO 14046September 17, 2021Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons With Respect to the Humanitarian and Human Rights Crisis in Ethiopia
- EO 14047September 17, 2021Adding Measles to the List of Quarantinable Communicable Diseases
- EO 14048September 30, 2021Continuance or Reestablishment of Certain Federal Advisory Committees and Amendments to Other Executive OrdersSuperseded
- EO 14049October 11, 2021White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and UniversitiesRevoked
- EO 14050October 19, 2021White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black AmericansRevoked
- EO 14051October 31, 2021Designation To Exercise Authority Over the National Defense Stockpile
- EO 14052November 15, 2021Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs ActRevoked
- EO 14053November 15, 2021Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People
- EO 14054November 18, 2021Termination of Emergency With Respect to the Situation in Burundi
- EO 14055November 18, 2021Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service ContractsRevoked
- EO 14056December 1, 2021The National Space CouncilRevoked
- EO 14057December 8, 2021Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal SustainabilityRevoked
- EO 14058December 13, 2021Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery To Rebuild Trust in Government
- EO 14059December 15, 2021Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade
- EO 14060December 15, 2021Establishing the United States Council on Transnational Organized CrimeRevoked
- EO 14061December 22, 2021Adjustments of Certain Rates of PaySuperseded
- EO 14062January 26, 20222022 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States
- EO 14063February 4, 2022Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects
- EO 14064February 11, 2022Protecting Certain Property of Da Afghanistan Bank for the Benefit of the People of Afghanistan
- EO 14065February 21, 2022Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to Continued Russian Efforts To Undermine the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Ukraine
- EO 14066March 8, 2022Prohibiting Certain Imports and New Investments With Respect to Continued Russian Federation Efforts To Undermine the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Ukraine
- EO 14067March 9, 2022Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital AssetsRevoked
- EO 14068March 11, 2022Prohibiting Certain Imports, Exports, and New Investment With Respect to Continued Russian Federation AggressionAmended
- EO 14069March 15, 2022Advancing Economy, Efficiency, and Effectiveness in Federal Contracting by Promoting Pay Equity and TransparencyRevoked
- EO 14070April 5, 2022Continuing To Strengthen Americans' Access to Affordable, Quality Health CoverageRevoked
- EO 14071April 6, 2022Prohibiting New Investment in and Certain Services to the Russian Federation in Response to Continued Russian Federation Aggression
- EO 14072April 22, 2022Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Communities, and Local EconomiesRevoked
- EO 14073May 4, 2022Enhancing the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee
- EO 14074May 25, 2022Advancing Effective, Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices To Enhance Public Trust and Public SafetyRevoked
- EO 14075June 15, 2022Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex IndividualsRevoked
- EO 14076July 8, 2022Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care ServicesRevoked
- EO 14077July 15, 2022Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate Disputes Between Certain Railroads Represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and Their Employees Represented by Certain Labor Organizations
- EO 14078July 19, 2022Bolstering Efforts To Bring Hostages and Wrongfully Detained United States Nationals Home
- EO 14079August 3, 2022Securing Access to Reproductive and Other Healthcare ServicesRevoked
- EO 14080August 25, 2022Implementation of the CHIPS Act of 2022
- EO 14081September 12, 2022Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American BioeconomyRevoked
- EO 14082September 12, 2022Implementation of the Energy and Infrastructure Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022Revoked
- EO 14083September 15, 2022Ensuring Robust Consideration of Evolving National Security Risks by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States
- EO 14084September 30, 2022Promoting the Arts, the Humanities, and Museum and Library ServicesRevoked
- EO 14085October 3, 2022Expanding Eligibility for Certain Military Decorations and Awards
- EO 14086October 7, 2022Enhancing Safeguards for United States Signals Intelligence Activities
- EO 14087October 14, 2022Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for AmericansRevoked
- EO 14088October 24, 2022Taking Additional Steps To Address the National Emergency With Respect to the Situation in Nicaragua
- EO 14089December 13, 2022Establishing the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United StatesRevoked
- EO 14090December 23, 2022Adjustments of Certain Rates of PaySuperseded
- EO 14091February 16, 2023Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal GovernmentRevoked
- EO 14092March 14, 2023Reducing Gun Violence and Making Our Communities Safer
- EO 14093March 27, 2023Prohibition on Use by the United States Government of Commercial Spyware That Poses Risks to National Security
- EO 14094April 6, 2023Modernizing Regulatory ReviewRevoked
- EO 14095April 18, 2023Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers
- EO 14096April 21, 2023Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for AllRevoked
- EO 14097April 27, 2023Authority To Order the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty To Address International Drug Trafficking
- EO 14098May 4, 2023Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons Destabilizing Sudan and Undermining the Goal of a Democratic Transition
- EO 14099May 9, 2023Moving Beyond COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal WorkersRevoked
- EO 14100June 9, 2023Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Military Caregivers, and Survivors
- EO 14101June 23, 2023Strengthening Access to Affordable, High-Quality Contraception and Family Planning Services
- EO 14102July 13, 2023Ordering the Selected Reserve and Certain Members of the Individual Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty
- EO 14103July 28, 20232023 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States
- EO 14104July 28, 2023Federal Research and Development in Support of Domestic Manufacturing and United States Jobs
- EO 14105August 9, 2023Addressing United States Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concern
- EO 14106August 14, 2023United States Coast Guard Officer Personnel Management
- EO 14107September 6, 2023Exemption of Paul H. Maurer From Mandatory Separation
- EO 14108September 20, 2023Ensuring the People of East Palestine Are Protected Now and in the Future
- EO 14109September 29, 2023Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees and Amendments to Other Executive OrdersPartially superseded
- EO 14110October 30, 2023Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial IntelligenceRevoked
- EO 14111November 27, 2023Interagency Security Committee
- EO 14112December 6, 2023Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations To Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-DeterminationRevoked
- EO 14113December 21, 2023Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay
- EO 14114December 22, 2023Taking Additional Steps With Respect to the Russian Federation's Harmful Activities
- EO 14115February 1, 2024Imposing Certain Sanctions on Persons Undermining Peace, Security, and Stability in the West BankRevoked
- EO 14116February 21, 2024Amending Regulations Relating to the Safeguarding of Vessels, Harbors, Ports, and Waterfront Facilities of the United States
- EO 14117February 28, 2024Preventing Access to Americans' Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern
- EO 14118March 4, 2024Termination of Emergency With Respect to the Situation in Zimbabwe
- EO 14119March 6, 2024Scaling and Expanding the Use of Registered Apprenticeships in Industries and the Federal Government and Promoting Labor-Management ForumsRevoked
- EO 14120March 18, 2024Advancing Women's Health Research and Innovation
- EO 14121March 27, 2024Recognizing and Honoring Women's History
- EO 14122April 12, 2024COVID-19 and Public Health Preparedness and Response
- EO 14123June 14, 2024White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience
- EO 14124July 17, 2024White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Hispanic-Serving InstitutionsRevoked
- EO 14125July 24, 2024Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate a Dispute Between New Jersey Transit Rail Operations and Its Locomotive Engineers Represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
- EO 14126September 6, 2024Investing in America and Investing in American WorkersRevoked
- EO 14127September 26, 2024Combating Emerging Firearms Threats and Improving School-Based Active-Shooter Drills
- EO 14128November 21, 2024Establishing a Second Emergency Board To Investigate a Dispute Between New Jersey Transit Rail Operations and Its Locomotive Engineers Represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
- EO 14129December 18, 2024Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on December 24, 2024
- EO 14130December 20, 20242024 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States
- EO 14131December 20, 2024Amendments to Executive Orders Relating to Certain Certificates and Badges
- EO 14132December 23, 2024Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay
- EO 14133December 30, 2024Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on January 9, 2025
- EO 14134January 3, 2025Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of AgricultureRevoked
- EO 14135January 3, 2025Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Homeland SecurityRevoked
- EO 14136January 3, 2025Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of JusticeRevoked
- EO 14137January 3, 2025Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of the TreasuryRevoked
- EO 14138January 3, 2025Providing an Order of Succession Within the Office of Management and BudgetRevoked
- EO 14139January 3, 2025Providing an Order of Succession Within the Office of the National Cyber DirectorRevoked
- EO 14140January 8, 2025Taking Additional Steps With Respect to the Situation in the Western Balkans
- EO 14141January 14, 2025Advancing United States Leadership in Artificial Intelligence InfrastructureRevoked
- EO 14142January 15, 2025Taking Additional Steps With Respect to the Situation in Syria
- EO 14143January 16, 2025Providing for the Appointment of Alumni of AmeriCorps to the Competitive ServiceRevoked
- EO 14144January 16, 2025Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation's CybersecurityAmended
- EO 14145January 19, 2025Helping Left-Behind Communities Make a Comeback
- EO 14146January 19, 2025Partial Revocation of Executive Order 13961
Source: Executive Orders Archive, compiled from the American Presidency Project and the Federal Register. Topics are the archive's automated tags; "Revoked" and similar labels come from the Federal Register's records.
Pardons and commutations
A pardon wipes out the punishment for a federal crime; a commutation shortens a sentence but leaves the conviction. Counts are by federal fiscal year. The 4,165 commutations are the most by any president. Two proclamations (2022 and 2023) also pardoned simple marijuana possession for thousands of people; those are not counted individually.
Granted each year
Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice, clemency statistics, which lists every recipient with the crime and sentence.
Notable grants: tap to see the crime
Hunter BidenPardonDecember 1, 2024
The crime: Lying on a gun purchase form (convicted by a jury, June 2024) and nine tax charges (pleaded guilty, September 2024). The pardon covers any federal offense from 2014 to 2024.
Sentence: Before sentencing (up to 25 years on the gun charges and 17 on the tax charges)
Why it drew attention: The president's son. Biden had said repeatedly, including in June 2024, that he would not pardon him.
SourcePreemptive pardons: Fauci, Milley, the January 6 committeePardonJanuary 20, 2025
The crime: None charged. Covered Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, members and staff of the House January 6 committee, and police officers who testified to it.
Sentence: None
Why it drew attention: Biden said it was to protect them from 'politically motivated prosecutions' threatened by the incoming administration. Critics called blanket pardons for uncharged people an abuse of the power.
SourceFive Biden family membersPardonJanuary 20, 2025
The crime: None charged. Covered his brothers James and Francis, sister Valerie Biden Owens and their spouses.
Sentence: None
Why it drew attention: Issued in his final minutes in office. House Republicans had investigated the family's business dealings.
Source37 of 40 federal death-row prisonersCommutationDecember 23, 2024
The crime: Murders, including of police officers, children and prison guards
Sentence: Death, changed to life without parole
Why it drew attention: Biden opposed the death penalty. He left out the Boston Marathon bomber and the Pittsburgh synagogue and Charleston church shooters.
SourceAbout 2,500 drug offendersCommutationJanuary 17, 2025
The crime: Nonviolent federal drug offenses
Sentence: Long sentences under older crack-cocaine laws since reduced by Congress
Why it drew attention: The largest single-day grant of clemency to that point.
SourceMichael ConahanCommutationDecember 12, 2024
The crime: Racketeering conspiracy in the Pennsylvania 'kids for cash' scheme: took kickbacks from a juvenile detention center while sending children there
Sentence: 17½ years; he had been released to home confinement during COVID
Why it drew attention: One of about 1,500 people on home confinement whose sentences were cut. His inclusion drew bipartisan criticism.
SourceLeonard PeltierCommutationJanuary 20, 2025
The crime: Murder of two FBI agents at Pine Ridge Reservation in 1975
Sentence: Two life terms; about 49 years served; moved to home confinement
Why it drew attention: Supported by Native American groups who questioned his trial; strongly opposed by the FBI.
SourceInvestigations and legal record
The same checklist for every president. Tap a row for details and sources.
ImpeachedNo — inquiry onlyPartly
The House voted 221–212 in December 2023 to formalize an impeachment inquiry into his family's business dealings. Its August 2024 report alleged 'impeachable conduct', but no articles were brought to a vote.
SourceCriminally chargedNoNo
Special counsel Robert Hur (February 2024) found evidence that Biden willfully kept and shared classified material after his vice presidency, but declined to charge him, describing him as a 'well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory'.
SourceConvictedNoNo
Never charged.
After leaving officeAutopen probe, no findingsPartly
A House Oversight Committee report (October 2025) argued that pardons signed with an autopen were 'void' and asked the Justice Department to review them. As of March 2026 the review was ongoing; no court has invalidated any Biden pardon.
SourceAides or cabinet convictedNoNo
No cabinet member or senior aide was convicted. Attorney General Merrick Garland was held in contempt of Congress (2024) and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was impeached by the House (2024); neither was prosecuted or removed. His son Hunter Biden was convicted and then pardoned.
Special counselsYes — threeYes
Robert Hur (Biden's classified documents), David Weiss (Hunter Biden) and Jack Smith (the Trump investigations), all appointed by Attorney General Garland.
SourceMisuse of DOJ, FBI or IRSAlleged — not establishedPartly
Republicans alleged the Justice Department targeted Trump and conservatives, citing Jack Smith's prosecutions, an FBI field office memo on 'radical traditionalist' Catholics (withdrawn in 2023) and a memo on threats at school board meetings. IRS whistleblowers alleged the Hunter Biden tax probe was slowed. No court or inspector general has found that the Trump prosecutions were politically directed; a federal judge did rule Smith's appointment unlawful.
SourcePeople around the president who were charged or penalized
Controversies and scandals
What happened, what was proven, and how it ended.
Afghanistan withdrawalDisputedAugust 2021
The Taliban took Kabul as U.S. forces left, leading to a chaotic evacuation. A suicide bombing at the airport's Abbey Gate killed 13 U.S. service members and about 170 Afghans.
Outcome: Reviews by the State Department and House Republicans faulted planning; who bears responsibility, including the prior administration's deal with the Taliban, is still debated.
SourceClassified documentsProven2022–2024
Classified records from his vice presidency were found at his Delaware home and a former office.
Outcome: The special counsel found evidence of willful retention but declined to charge him.
SourceConcealing his declineAlleged2023–2025
After a halting June 2024 debate, critics and later books alleged that aides hid signs of cognitive decline and ran parts of the presidency, including through the autopen.
Outcome: House Republicans investigated in 2025; no official finding has established that he was unable to serve.
SourcePardoning his son after promising not toProvenDecember 2024
After saying he would accept the jury's verdict and would not pardon Hunter, he issued a broad pardon covering 11 years.
Outcome: Criticized by members of both parties.
SourceInflation surgeDisputed2021–2022
Inflation reached 9.1% in June 2022, the highest since 1981.
Outcome: Economists still debate how much the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan contributed versus supply chains and energy prices.
SourceBorder surgeDisputed2021–2024
Encounters at the southern border reached record highs.
Outcome: The House impeached his homeland security secretary; the Senate dismissed the charges. A 2024 executive action sharply reduced crossings.
SourceFamily business dealingsAlleged2019–2024
House Republicans alleged that Biden benefited from his son's and brother's foreign business deals.
Outcome: The impeachment inquiry produced no articles; no evidence was presented that Biden received payments.
SourceStudent loan forgiveness struck downProven2023
He tried to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt per borrower, about $400 billion in total, without a vote of Congress.
Outcome: The Supreme Court struck it down 6–3 in Biden v. Nebraska.
SourceIn their own words
Widely quoted remarks, with the context they were said in.
I will not pardon him.
If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black.
The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.