Conclusion of Joe Biden’s presidency
President Joe Biden’s time as president has been marked by many important decisions and events that have shaped the country. From legislative actions to global challenges, his legacy left a lasting impression on both the United States and the world. Leaving office at 82, he claims the title of the oldest president in United States history.
One of Biden’s key achievements as president was ending President Donald Trump’s travel ban on Muslim countries, in which Trump implemented in early 2017. Additionally, Biden has made significant efforts to support the LGBTQ+ community, allowing trans troops to join the military and signing a same-sex marriage law.
During his presidency, Biden was faced with critical decisions regarding the involvement of the U.S. in foreign wars, including supporting Ukraine against Russia and supporting Israel against Hamas.
By all means, not all of Biden’s decisions have been widely accepted, with some sparking significant debate, such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan, allowing a Taliban takeover along with his decision to halt the Keystone oil pipeline, which critics claim cost jobs.
“He should’ve called for a ceasefire when this entire genocide started, and he should have actually kept his word and stopped all ‘aid’ to Israel when they invaded Rafah, which he said he would do but instead decided to give Israel more money,” said senior Armann Shezad
During his last days in office, Biden granted clemency to 4,000 individuals as well as pardoning 39 others convicted of non-violent crimes, allowing 37 prisoners to have their death sentence commuted to life in prison without parole. Just three convicted mass murderers face the federal death penalty.
On a more domestic note, Biden passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, or Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill was an investment to modernize U.S. infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, and ensure every American had access to high-speed internet. It also aims to create jobs, improve sustainability, and address critical needs like lead pipe replacement, EV infrastructure, and climate.
“I think that was probably one of the most successful parts of his presidency was getting that bill into Congress and providing money to communities from there,” said Social Studies teacher Kathleen Cassidy.
One of Biden’s most personal and controversial decisions was pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of illegal gun possession and tax crimes although Biden pledged that he would not do so along with pardoning five members of his family not so because they did anything wrong but because he feared the incoming political attacks from Trump.