George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from January 20, 2001 to January 20, 2009. A Republican and former governor of Texas, his presidency was shaped by the response to the September 11, 2001 attacks and consequential domestic policies.
Bush's presidency is most widely remembered for the response to the September 11 attacks, the launch of the global War on Terror, and military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Decisions on intelligence, national security, and counterterrorism had long-lasting international and political effects.
On the domestic front, his administration passed major laws including the No Child Left Behind education reform and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, and he appointed two Supreme Court justices. The 2008 financial crisis and emergency responses also significantly influenced assessments of his record.
Led U.S. response to 9/11 and launched the War on Terror; Ordered U.S. invasions of Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003); Enacted No Child Left Behind education reform (2001); Created Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit (2003); Appointed Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito; Responded to the 2008 financial crisis, including signing the TARP bailout
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
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Henry M. Paulson was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, replacing John Snow.
The U.S. Supreme Court, in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, held that the military commissions established to try Guantánamo detainees lacked proper Congressional authorization and violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Geneva Conventions.
President Bush nominated Henry M. Paulson Jr., then CEO of Goldman Sachs, to succeed John W. Snow as Secretary of the Treasury after Snow announced his resignation.
U.S. forces carried out an airstrike in Baquba, Iraq, that fatally wounded Abu Musab al‑Zarqawi, the leader of al‑Qaeda in Iraq, who died of his wounds the same day.
On May 1, 2006, large, nationwide demonstrations and marches—centered on immigrant rights and calls for legalization—drew hundreds of thousands of participants across the United States and directly challenged the pace and content of President George W. Bush’s proposed comprehensive immigration reforms.
President George W. Bush sent his administration’s fiscal year 2007 budget proposal to Congress, outlining spending priorities and tax and defense policy guidance for the coming year.
The U.S. Senate confirmed President Bush's nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court by a 58–42 vote.
President George W. Bush delivered the 2006 State of the Union to a joint session of Congress, outlining priorities on the Iraq War, immigration reform, the economy, and homeland security.
Civil-rights leader Coretta Scott King died on January 30, 2006, and President Bush issued a statement of condolence honoring her lifetime of activism.
In the wake of Hamas's Jan 25 legislative victory, the Bush administration announced it would suspend direct U.S. aid to any Palestinian government led by Hamas and conditioned engagement on Hamas renouncing violence and recognizing Israel.
Hamas secured a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, defeating the long-dominant Fatah party.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10–8 along party lines to recommend Samuel A. Alito Jr.'s nomination to the full Senate for confirmation to the Supreme Court.