Biden's Legacy Under Scrutiny: Former Aides Reflect on His Time in Office

A former senior White House staffer shared candid observations about President Joe Biden, describing him as "a different person" compared to his earlier days in the administration.

Speaking to the BBC, the aide remarked, "Watching Biden speak, I'm like, oh my God, this is a different person. Maybe it's simply that when you're there every day, you don't see it."

The comments come as Biden prepares to leave the White House following a challenging presidency marked by both achievements and setbacks.

According to the report, Biden has expressed regret over his decision not to run for re-election after Vice President Kamala Harris lost to President-elect Donald Trump. "I think I could have beaten him," Biden reportedly said.

Reflecting on the administration's trajectory, the former staffer noted a shift in the White House's dynamic over time. "As things started to become a grind, and you lose that sense of getting big things done, it can give way to infighting and frustration," they said.

This sentiment was echoed by another senior official who lamented the administration’s declining decisiveness as the presidency progressed.

Democratic strategist Susan Estrich added that Biden’s legacy would inevitably be tied to Trump’s return to the presidency.

"He’d like his legacy to be that he rescued us from Trump," Estrich said. "But sadly, for him, his legacy is Trump again. He is the bridge from Trump One to Trump Two."

Throughout his tenure, Biden sought to focus on restoring economic stability and strengthening America’s global leadership.

Speaking to USA Today, Biden shared his hopes for how history would remember him: "I hope that history says that I came in and I had a plan how to restore the economy and reestablish America's leadership in the world. And I hope it records that I did it with honesty and integrity, that I said what was on my mind."

However, challenges throughout his presidency—ranging from domestic policy gridlock to international crises—have complicated his legacy.

The report also highlighted insights from BBC journalist Anthony Zurcher, who inquired about how history would judge Biden’s time in office. Attorney General Merrick Garland offered a neutral response, saying, "I'll leave that to the historians."

As Biden reflects on his time in office, his presidency remains a subject of debate. Supporters point to his efforts to address critical issues, while critics highlight perceived missteps and missed opportunities.

The juxtaposition of achievements and challenges has made Biden’s legacy a complex and evolving narrative.

The transition of power to President-elect Trump marks a defining moment for the nation and serves as a pivotal chapter in Biden’s career.

While some aides and strategists view his presidency as a period of transition and reflection, others argue that its ultimate impact will only be fully understood with time.

In the end, Biden's vision of restoring America’s leadership and fostering unity will be weighed against the realities of political division and economic uncertainty that defined his years in office.

How history ultimately judges his legacy remains an open question, shaped by the perspectives of those who served alongside him and the enduring influence of his policies.