Scholarly assessment examines Biden presidency as Democrats face crucial midterm elections
With the November 3, 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, a new scholarly volume offers the first comprehensive historical assessment of Joe Biden's presidency, which concluded on January 20, 2025, when Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second nonconsecutive term as the 47th president.
Julian Zelizer, the Malcolm Stevenson Forbes, Class of 1941 Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University and a CNN Political Analyst, has edited The Presidency of Joseph R. Biden, published by Princeton University Press. The book brings together 16 scholars to examine Biden's four years in office through a historical lens, covering topics including education, reproductive rights, the economy, labor relations, climate policy, race, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the culture wars.
In an interview with Here & Now's Scott Tong, Zelizer discussed the challenge of writing what historians call a "first draft of history" while political passions remain fresh. This approach mirrors his 2022 edited volume, The Presidency of Donald J. Trump: A First Historical Assessment, demonstrating his commitment to applying scholarly rigor to contemporary presidencies.
Biden's Record and Achievements
Biden's tenure began with his inauguration at age 78, making him the oldest president in American history, breaking the record previously set by Ronald Reagan. He became the first president to turn 80 while in office. His administration secured major legislative victories, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, collectively totaling approximately $4 trillion in spending. Biden also appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, making her the first Black woman to serve on the Court.
The former president's legacy takes on particular significance as Democrats face a challenging political landscape. Republicans won a 53-45 majority in the Senate in the 2024 elections and currently hold control as the midterms approach, with all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats to be contested. Biden's four-year record will likely feature prominently in Democratic campaigns as the party seeks to regain congressional control.
The End of Biden's Presidency
Biden's presidency ended under unusual circumstances. On July 21, 2024, he withdrew from the presidential race following a debate performance on June 27, 2024, that drew widespread criticism. His decision made him the first president since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 to decline to seek reelection.
Zelizer's book examines the intense political polarization that defined the Biden years, analyzing both the administration's policy achievements and the deep partisan divisions that characterized American politics during this period. The volume seeks to provide historical perspective on a presidency that unfolded amid extraordinary political turbulence.
For Democrats preparing for the upcoming midterms, understanding the lessons of the Biden presidency may prove crucial. The scholarly assessment offers insights into what strategies succeeded, what opportunities were missed, and how the party's approach to governance resonated with voters during a period of significant domestic and international challenges.
As the nation moves forward under Trump's second term, the historical evaluation of Biden's presidency provides a foundation for understanding the political dynamics that will shape the 2026 elections and beyond.
