Joe Biden (full name Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.) is an American politician who served as the 46th President of the United States from 2021 to 2025. A lifelong member of the Democratic Party, Biden previously served as the 47th Vice President of the United States under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013 and represented the state of Delaware in the United States Senate from 1973 until 2009. His decades-long career in public service has spanned transformative eras in American domestic policy, foreign relations, and transatlantic diplomacy.
Background and Education: Born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden moved with his family to Delaware during his youth. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965 and earned his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968.
Legal Practice: Before entering politics full-time, Biden practiced law as an attorney in Wilmington, Delaware, and served briefly on the New Castle County Council.
Election to the Senate: In 1972, at the age of 29, Biden was elected to the United States Senate from Delaware, becoming one of the youngest senators in American history. He was subsequently re-elected six times.
Key Leadership Roles: He built a prominent legislative record, serving for many years as either chairman or ranking member of both the Senate Judiciary Committee—where he oversaw landmark legislation such as the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act and the Violence Against Women Act—and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, shaping American foreign policy on European security, arms control, and international interventions.
Obama Administration: Selected by Barack Obama as his vice-presidential running mate, Biden served two terms as Vice President. In this role, he acted as a key presidential advisor, managed high-stakes legislative negotiations with Congress, oversaw the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and undertook crucial diplomatic missions abroad.
Electoral Victory: Following his presidential campaign, Biden assumed office in January 2021 amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic and deep domestic political polarization.
Domestic and Economic Agenda: His administration passed monumental legislative packages, including the American Rescue Plan, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, aiming to revitalize American manufacturing, transition toward clean energy, and rebuild national infrastructure.
Foreign Policy and Alliances: On the international stage, Biden prioritized reinforcing traditional alliances—particularly NATO—coordinating a unified Western response to geopolitical conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, and navigating complex strategic competition with global powers.