Joe Biden — 46th U.S. President (2021

President Details

President Number: 46
Years in Office: 2021 - 2025
Term Dates: January 20, 2021 – January 20, 2025
Political Party: Democratic
Vice President(s): Kamala Harris

Legacy Summary

Biden's presidency focused on managing the COVID-19 pandemic's aftermath and stabilizing the economy through the American Rescue Plan, while passing major legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to invest in infrastructure, clean energy, and health care.

On foreign policy he oversaw the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan and led sustained U.S. support for Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion; his tenure emphasized restoring alliances, addressing global challenges, and shaping the federal judiciary with key appointments.

Notable Actions

Passed the American Rescue Plan for COVID-19 relief (2021); Enacted the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021); Signed the Inflation Reduction Act advancing climate and health policy (2022); Oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021); Led sustained U.S. support for Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion; Appointed Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court

Timeline Entries

Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.

Showing 12 of 255 entries.

Browse full timeline

Announces sweeping COVID-19 vaccine requirements for federal workers and large employers

September 9, 2021 • Joe Biden

Executive Action

Announces sweeping COVID-19 vaccine requirements for federal workers and large employers

On 2021-09-09 President Biden announced a package of actions requiring federal employees and contractors to be vaccinated and directing OSHA to implement a rule requiring vaccination or weekly testing for private employers with 100 or more employees.

Visits Louisiana to survey Hurricane Ida damage and pledge federal assistance

September 3, 2021 • Joe Biden

Crisis Response

Visits Louisiana to survey Hurricane Ida damage and pledge federal assistance

President Biden traveled to Louisiana to view damage from Hurricane Ida, meet with state and local officials, and pledge continued federal support for recovery efforts.

U.S. Completes Final Military Withdrawal from Afghanistan

August 31, 2021 • Joe Biden

Foreign Policy

U.S. Completes Final Military Withdrawal from Afghanistan

U.S. forces completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan as the last military flights departed Kabul, formally ending America’s nearly 20-year combat presence there.

President Biden Approves Federal Emergency Declaration for Louisiana After Hurricane Ida

August 30, 2021 • Joe Biden

Crisis Response

President Biden Approves Federal Emergency Declaration for Louisiana After Hurricane Ida

President Biden approved an emergency declaration for Louisiana authorizing federal assistance after Hurricane Ida made landfall and caused widespread damage.

U.S. Conducts Drone Strike at Kabul Airport Targeting Suspected ISIS-K Threat

August 29, 2021 • Joe Biden

Military Action

U.S. Conducts Drone Strike at Kabul Airport Targeting Suspected ISIS-K Threat

U.S. forces carried out a drone strike around Kabul airport that officials said targeted an ISIS-K operative believed to be planning an attack on evacuation efforts.

Suicide Bombing at Kabul Airport Kills U.S. Service Members and Afghan Civilians

August 26, 2021 • Joe Biden

Crisis Response

Suicide Bombing at Kabul Airport Kills U.S. Service Members and Afghan Civilians

An ISIS-K suicide bombing near the Abbey Gate of Kabul airport killed 13 U.S. service members and dozens of Afghan civilians during evacuation operations.

FDA Grants Full Approval to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Comirnaty)

August 23, 2021 • Joe Biden

Domestic Policy

FDA Grants Full Approval to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Comirnaty)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (branded Comirnaty) for people 16 and older, the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive full FDA approval.

President Biden Delivers White House Address Defending Afghanistan Withdrawal

August 16, 2021 • Joe Biden

Speech

President Biden Delivers White House Address Defending Afghanistan Withdrawal

Biden gave a televised address defending his decision to withdraw U.S. forces, accepting responsibility for the outcome while reiterating the U.S. commitment to evacuate Americans and at-risk Afghans.

Taliban Seizes Kabul; U.S. Begins Large-Scale Evacuation Operations

August 15, 2021 • Joe Biden

Crisis Response

Taliban Seizes Kabul; U.S. Begins Large-Scale Evacuation Operations

Taliban forces entered and took control of Kabul, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, and U.S. diplomatic operations shifted to mass evacuations from Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Biden Orders 3,000 Additional U.S. Troops to Afghanistan to Secure Kabul Evacuation

August 14, 2021 • Joe Biden

Military Action

Biden Orders 3,000 Additional U.S. Troops to Afghanistan to Secure Kabul Evacuation

President Biden authorized the deployment of approximately 3,000 additional U.S. troops to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul to assist with security and evacuation operations amid the Taliban advance.

Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

August 10, 2021 • Joe Biden

Legislation

Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The U.S. Senate approved a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill by a 69–30 vote, clearing a major legislative hurdle en route to final congressional action and the president's signature.

Administration Extends Pause on Federal Student Loan Payments Through January 31, 2022

August 6, 2021 • Joe Biden

Domestic Policy

Administration Extends Pause on Federal Student Loan Payments Through January 31, 2022

The Department of Education announced an extension of the pandemic-era pause on federal student loan payments, interest accrual, and collections through January 31, 2022.

← Back to Timeline