Forgive us of this political post…
…so here we sre again. As we stand on the edge of a transition, Joe Biden’s presidency will conclude in just five days. The nation prepares for the inauguration of Donald Trump, marking his return to the White House for a second term—a rare occurrence, echoing Grover Cleveland’s nonconsecutive presidencies. Move over, Grover; Trump is back.
At moments like this, it’s natural to reflect on where we’ve been as a nation, where we’re heading, and how we feel about it all. However, in an era where everything is politicized, this post will steer clear of passing judgment on Biden’s presidency. Whether his leadership was perceived as successful, flawed, or something in between, history ultimately decides. Time has a way of refining perspective, and future historians and authors will undoubtedly analyze this administration with the clarity of hindsight.
A Presidency Marked by Unique Circumstances
When Joe Biden assumed office, the United States was grappling with extraordinary challenges. We were in the throes of a global pandemic—a reality that shaped nearly every facet of life. Debates raged over vaccine mandates, government agencies operated under uncertain conditions, and businesses struggled with reopening timelines. Public health officials were thrust into the spotlight, navigating a landscape filled with questions and few clear answers. The word “normal” became elusive, a concept we struggled to define amidst lockdowns and isolation.
Biden’s inauguration itself symbolized the strangeness of the era. It was a subdued event, devoid of the crowds that traditionally mark the transfer of power. COVID restrictions meant the absence of throngs of supporters, and the typically jubilant atmosphere gave way to one of caution and restraint. For a man known for his gregariousness and touchy-feely demeanor—sometimes joked about as “sniffing” those around him—this was an ironic twist. Biden entered the presidency during a time when social interactions were fundamentally altered.
Reflecting on Leadership and Time
As we look back on Biden’s tenure, we can’t help but notice the changes he underwent. His age and health became frequent topics of discussion, with observers noting his physical and verbal missteps. At times, his decisiveness shone through; at other moments, his actions—or inactions—sparked controversy. Yet, such scrutiny is not unique to Biden. Every president ages before our eyes, their time in office marked by the weight of the job and the crises they face.
Thinking about where we were in January 2021, it’s remarkable to consider how far we’ve come. The fears and uncertainties of the pandemic felt all-encompassing, yet here we are in 2025, having moved past those moments. The world, once seemingly crushing in on itself, has found a sense of equilibrium. “Normal” has returned—or at least some version of it.
But what is normal now? With Donald Trump’s return to office, the question arises: Is this the “old normal” reasserting itself, or has Biden’s presidency fundamentally shifted the landscape? Was his time in office a glitch in the matrix, or did it reset the system entirely? These are questions for philosophers and historians to ponder.
Measuring Time by Leaders
In the movie Sister Act, a nun tells Whoopi Goldberg’s character how many popes she’s lived through—a reflection of how we measure time by leaders. In America, we do something similar. Personally, I was born in 1980 during Jimmy Carter’s presidency (technically, just before Reagan’s term began). It’s fascinating to think about the presidents we’ve lived through and how our perspectives on them evolve with time.
As we close the chapter on Biden’s administration and begin another under Trump, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect—not just on politics but on the passage of time and the moments that define our lives. History has a way of reshaping perceptions, and one day, we may see this era in an entirely different light. Until then, we continue moving forward, living through history one presidency at a time.
