Fact Check: Biden White House Plaque Claims

This is a subjective opinion, not a factual claim. Presidential rankings by historians vary significantly based on methodology and timing. In C-SPAN's 2024 Presidential Historians Survey, Biden was ranked 30th out of 45 presidents in his first survey appearance. For comparison, Trump ranked 45th (last) in the same survey.

Academic rankings consistently place presidents like James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, and Franklin Pierce at the bottom due to their handling of slavery and Reconstruction issues.

This claim has been thoroughly investigated and rejected. More than 60 lawsuits challenging the 2020 election were dismissed by courts, including judges appointed by Trump. The Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) called it "the most secure election in American history."

Trump's own Attorney General William Barr stated the DOJ found no evidence of fraud that would change the election outcome. State election officials from both parties, including Republican Secretaries of State in Georgia and Arizona, certified the results after audits and recounts.

U.S. inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 - significantly high but nowhere near historical records. Inflation reached 23.7% in June 1920, and during the Civil War era, it exceeded 25%. Even in recent memory, inflation hit 14.8% in March 1980.

By the end of Biden's term, inflation had fallen to approximately 2.9%, near the Federal Reserve's 2% target. The Inflation Reduction Act (signed August 2022) included provisions to reduce healthcare and energy costs, though economists debate its direct impact on overall inflation rates. The law's name was primarily political messaging; its main effects were on prescription drug pricing and clean energy investment.

This claim conflates two different concepts. If referring to cumulative inflation (purchasing power), prices rose approximately 20% from January 2021 to January 2025. However, this is a measure of domestic purchasing power, not the dollar's international value.

The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar against major foreign currencies, actually strengthened during much of Biden's term, reaching multi-decade highs in 2022. The dollar remained one of the world's strongest currencies throughout this period.

The United States produced more crude oil under Biden than under any president in history. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. crude oil production reached a record 13.2 million barrels per day in 2023, surpassing the previous high of 12.3 million bpd in 2019.

Biden did not implement the "Green New Deal" - that proposal was never passed by Congress. The Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden signed, provided clean energy incentives while oil and gas production continued to increase.

The U.S.-Mexico border was not "abolished." Customs and Border Protection continued operations throughout Biden's term, with annual budgets exceeding $18 billion. Border apprehensions increased significantly, which actually reflects enforcement activity, not lack thereof.

Biden reversed some Trump-era policies (like "Remain in Mexico") but also implemented new enforcement measures and, in June 2024, issued an executive order significantly restricting asylum claims when encounter numbers exceeded certain thresholds.

CBP recorded approximately 10.2 million encounters at the Southwest border during Biden's term - significantly less than 21 million. However, "encounters" does not mean "let in." This figure includes people apprehended and expelled multiple times, asylum seekers processed and released pending hearings, and those turned away at ports of entry.

The actual number of people who entered and remained in the U.S. without authorization is difficult to measure precisely but is substantially lower than encounter figures suggest. Many encountered individuals were removed, returned, or denied entry.

There is no credible evidence that foreign governments systematically emptied prisons or mental institutions to send people to the U.S. border. This claim has been repeatedly made without supporting documentation.

While some migrants do have criminal histories (as would any large population), CBP and ICE screen arrivals and have deported individuals with criminal records. No evidence supports claims of coordinated releases from foreign institutions.

Thirteen U.S. service members were killed in the August 26, 2021 suicide bombing at Abbey Gate, Kabul Airport - this is accurate. The withdrawal was chaotic and widely criticized.

However, the term "murder" implies intent or culpability that investigations have not established. The Doha Agreement negotiated by the Trump administration in February 2020 set the withdrawal timeline and conditions. Military leaders have testified that both administrations bear responsibility for aspects of the withdrawal.

This implies direct causation without evidence. Russia's invasion of Ukraine followed years of tensions, including the 2014 annexation of Crimea (during Obama's term) and ongoing conflict in the Donbas. Putin's stated motivations centered on NATO expansion and Ukrainian sovereignty, not U.S. presidential leadership.

The October 7 Hamas attack was the culmination of decades of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hamas's stated motivations related to Israeli policies toward Palestinians and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, not U.S. domestic politics. Intelligence officials from multiple countries failed to predict the attack.

This is a political opinion, not a verifiable claim. Biden's policy positions, while more progressive than his earlier Senate career, remained within mainstream Democratic positions. He notably opposed calls from the party's left wing on issues like Medicare for All, defunding police, and court packing.

Biden's cabinet and advisors included individuals from various ideological backgrounds within the Democratic Party, including moderates and progressives.

Questions about Biden's age and acuity were discussed extensively in media throughout his presidency. Biden's annual physicals, released publicly, showed no cognitive impairment diagnoses.

After the June 2024 debate performance raised widespread concerns, Biden ultimately withdrew from the race - the opposite of a successful "cover-up." The extensive media coverage of his debate performance contradicts claims that media attempted to hide concerns.

The autopen - a mechanical device that replicates signatures - has been used by presidents since the Eisenhower administration. Presidents Obama and Trump both used autopens to sign legislation and documents.

There is no evidence Biden used the autopen more frequently than predecessors or in inappropriate contexts. Its use for routine documents while traveling or otherwise unavailable is standard practice.

Biden did withdraw from the 2024 presidential race on July 21, 2024, following his poor debate performance and pressure from Democratic leaders. This much is factual.

"Disgrace" is a subjective characterization. Biden stated he withdrew to pass the torch to a new generation. His endorsement of Vice President Harris and subsequent support for her campaign were presented as voluntary acts of party unity.

The federal and state prosecutions of Trump were brought by independent prosecutors. The federal cases were handled by Special Counsel Jack Smith, appointed by Attorney General Garland specifically to ensure independence from the White House.

State cases in New York and Georgia were brought by local prosecutors, over whom the President has no authority. Biden repeatedly stated he would not interfere with DOJ decisions. No evidence has emerged of White House direction of these prosecutions.

Biden issued preemptive pardons to several individuals, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and members of the January 6th Select Committee. He stated these were to protect them from "politically motivated prosecutions."

"Criminals and thugs" is inflammatory language. None of these individuals had been charged with or convicted of crimes at the time of the pardons. Preemptive pardons, while controversial, have historical precedent (Ford's pardon of Nixon).

Biden did pardon his son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of federal gun charges and pleaded guilty to tax charges. This pardon was controversial, as Biden had previously said he would not pardon his son.

However, "Crime Family" implies organized criminal enterprise - a characterization not supported by evidence. House Republican investigations did not result in charges against President Biden or other family members beyond Hunter.

Trump won the 2024 election with 312 electoral votes to Harris's 226, and approximately 50.2% of the popular vote to 48.3%. While a decisive victory, this does not constitute a "landslide" by historical standards.

Historical landslides include Reagan's 1984 victory (525-13 electoral, 58.8% popular vote), Nixon's 1972 win (520-17 electoral), and FDR's 1936 victory (523-8 electoral). Trump's 2024 margin ranks as a moderate-to-comfortable victory, not a landslide.