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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President George W. Bush signed the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 into law, reauthorizing federal farm, conservation, and nutrition programs.
U.S. and Pakistani intelligence and security forces captured senior al‑Qaeda operative Abu Zubaydah in Faisalabad, Pakistan.
President George W. Bush signed the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, which banned most 'soft money' donations to national political parties and regulated 'issue ads' near elections.
After more than two weeks of fighting, coalition commanders announced that the major combat phase of Operation Anaconda in the Shahi‑Kot/Arma Mountains had concluded.
President Bush signed the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002, providing temporary tax relief measures and extensions of unemployment benefits to support the post‑recession economy.
On March 5, 2002, President George W. Bush announced temporary tariffs on certain imported steel products—ranging up to 30% for some items—to protect the domestic steel industry.
U.S. and coalition forces launched Operation Anaconda, a major offensive against al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters in the Shah-i-Kot (Shahi-Kot) Valley.
President George W. Bush transmitted his administration's FY2003 budget to Congress, outlining spending priorities, deficit projections, and proposed tax and program changes.
President Bush delivered the 2002 State of the Union Address, outlining the administration’s post‑9/11 priorities in the 'war on terror,' including confronting regimes he called an 'axis of evil'—Iraq, Iran, and North Korea.
In the 2002 State of the Union, Bush outlined his post‑9/11 security agenda, identified Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as an 'axis of evil,' and called for expanded homeland security and defense measures.
In early January 2002 the U.S. began transferring suspected al-Qaeda and Taliban prisoners to the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to be held in military custody.
President George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act, a major reauthorization of federal K–12 education law that increased testing, accountability, and sanctions for low-performing schools.