President Joe Biden, born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is the 46th President of the United States. He grew up in a working-class family and later moved to Delaware, where he began his long career in public service. After earning a degree in history and political science from the University of Delaware, he went on to receive a law degree from Syracuse University in 1968. Biden’s early years were marked by personal tragedy. In 1972, shortly after winning his first Senate election, his wife Neilia and daughter Naomi died in a car crash. He raised his surviving sons, Beau and Hunter, as a single father before marrying Jill Biden in 1977. Together, they have a daughter, Ashley.
Biden’s political career began when he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Delaware in 1972 at age 29, making him one of the youngest senators in U.S. history. He served in the Senate from 1973 to 2009. During this time, he chaired both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He played a key role in passing major crime legislation in the 1990s and helped shape U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He also led the effort to pass the Violence Against Women Act in 1994, which remains one of his signature legislative achievements.
In 2008, Biden was selected as Barack Obama’s running mate. He served as Vice President from 2009 to 2017, working on key issues such as economic recovery from the Great Recession, foreign policy, and healthcare. Biden was a major figure in the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, aimed at boosting the economy after the 2008 crisis. He also spearheaded the Cancer Moonshot initiative and became a close advisor to President Obama on international affairs.
In 2020, Biden ran for president and defeated incumbent Donald Trump. He was inaugurated on January 20, 2021, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman and person of color to hold that office. As President, Biden focused on four major issues: the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, climate change, and restoring American leadership abroad. He signed the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, which included stimulus checks, expanded unemployment benefits, and vaccine funding. He also passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve transportation, internet access, and clean energy.
Biden’s climate agenda included rejoining the Paris Agreement and signing the Inflation Reduction Act, which committed billions of dollars to clean energy and emission reduction. His administration also pushed for student loan forgiveness and extended the repayment pause during the pandemic. On gun control, Biden signed modest reforms, including expanded background checks and funding for mental health programs. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Biden strongly supported federal protections for abortion rights.
Foreign policy under President Joe Biden has included strong support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, including military aid and sanctions against Russia. He also withdrew U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021, ending America’s longest war, although the withdrawal was criticized for being chaotic. His administration took a firm stance on China, balancing competition with cooperation on climate issues. In the Middle East, Biden aimed to reset relations with Saudi Arabia while reaffirming support for Israel and a two-state solution with Palestine.
Biden has faced challenges during his presidency, including criticism over immigration policies and the southern border crisis. Although he reversed many Trump-era policies, the surge in border crossings has remained a concern. His administration has been under scrutiny regarding the investigation into his son Hunter Biden’s business activities, though no direct involvement by Joe Biden has been proven.
At 81 years old, President Biden is the oldest U.S. president in history. Questions about his age and health have been raised, especially as he campaigns for reelection in 2024. Still, he remains a symbol of steady leadership for many supporters. With a long history in American politics, President Joe Biden continues to shape domestic and international policy while facing both praise and criticism across the political spectrum.
