Joe Biden

Joseph R. Biden Event Timeline

January 20, 2021

Joseph R. Biden (45) Event Timeline
01/20/2020-01/20/2025

2019

 

04/25/2019

Announces candidacy for President of the United States.

2020

 

08/20/2020

Accepts Democratic Party nomination for president in “virtual convention” address from Wilmington, DE.

10/22/2020

Debates President Trump, final 2020 presidential debate in Nashville, TN.

11/07/2020

2020 Election. Biden wins 51.3% of the popular vote and 57% of the Electoral College vote.

12/14/2020

Remarks on Electoral College vote certification.

2021

 

01/06/2021

Remarks to the Nation in Wilmington, DE on the insurrection at Capitol building in Washington, D.C. [See Donald Trump-I timeline.]

01/13/2021

House of Representatives introduces one Article of Impeachment against Donald Trump for the “incitement of insurrection” on January 6, 2021. The House votes to impeach Trump 232-197, with 10 Republicans voting in favor. This is the first time in U.S. history a federal official has been impeached and acquitted twice.

01/20/2021

Inauguration as the 46th President. Ceremony held under unprecedented security with tens of thousands of National Guard troops following the January 6 attack.

01/20/2021

Proclamation 10141 revokes Trump’s Executive Order 13780, also known as the “Travel Ban,” as well as proclamations 9645, 9723, and 9983.

01/20/2021

Executive Order 13990 revokes permit for Keystone XL pipeline; directs federal agencies to review, revise or suspend regulations that could hinder environmental protections or public health.

01/20/2021

Executive Order 13991 establishes the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force and mandates that federal employees wear masks and practice social distancing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This follows recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

01/20/2021

Proclamation 10142 halts funds for the U.S.-Mexico border wall, terminating Trump’s Proclamation 9844 declaration of a national emergency at the Southern Border.

01/20/2021

Statement on Acceptance of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

01/25/2021

By Executive Order 14004, all “qualified” Americans are enabled to serve in the Armed Forces. Repeals Trump’s 2018 Memorandum and Department of Defense Memorandum 19-004, which prohibited most transgender individuals from serving.

02/02/2021

Issues three immigration-related Executive Orders: Executive Order 14011, establishing a task force on family reunification; Executive Order 14010, addressing regional migration and asylum; and Executive Order 14012, ordering a review of immigration programs to restore trust and improve naturalization. 

02/09/2021

U.S. Senate begins the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, the second since 2017.

02/13/2021

US Senate acquits Donald Trump, 57-43; the vote falls short of the 2/3s required to convict. In a Statement, Biden notes there was a bipartisan majority and stresses the fragility of democracy.

03/01/2021

Press Briefing on the FDA approval of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine.

03/11/2021

Signs American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, providing $1.9T in COVID-19 relief to the economy, public health, and state/local governments.

03/11/2021

Announces that all Americans will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations by May 1, 2021, and outlines steps for distributing vaccines, expanding testing.

03/18/2021

Announces the Administration will meet its goal of administering 100 million COVID-19 vaccinations weeks ahead of the 100-day target.

04/09/2021

In Executive Order 14023, establishes a nonpartisan Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States, to analyze the Court’s role and evaluate potential reforms.

04/14/2021

Announces full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, pledging it would be done “responsibly, deliberately, and safely.”

04/28/2021

Addresses a Joint Session of Congress—treated by many as a State of the Union Address. One day before the end of his first one hundred days in office.

05/28/2021

Senate Republicans vote against a cloture motion (and thereby blocking) on a bill to establish a National Commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

06/23/2021

In Collins v. Yellen, the Supreme Court rules unanimously that it is unconstitutional to limit presidential removal at will of the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (as specified in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008). The Court cited its own 06/29/2020 precedent in Seila Law. There were many divisions among the justices on parts of the case. However, this result underscored the emerging Court doctrine that officials possessing “executive powers” must be subject to dismissal by the President.

07/08/2021

Remarks on the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, stating that it is “proceeding in a secure and orderly way.”

07/09/2021

By Executive Order 14036, creates the White House Competition Council, to address corporate consolidation, monopolization, and strengthen antitrust enforcement.

07/09/2021

The Office of Legal Counsel in the Department of Justice advises the President that pursuant to Collins v. Yellen (above 06/23/2021), the President may remove the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration at will. The White House immediately asked for the resignation of Social Security Administrator Andrew Saul, whose term extended until 01/2025. [It appears no published White House document related to Saul’s dismissal.]

08/16/2021

Remarks on the situation in Afghanistan, after the capture of Kabul and takeover of the Afghan government by the Taliban. U.S. Embassy personnel evacuated (08/15/2021). U.S. Embassy Kabul operations later suspended (08/31/2021).

08/18/2021

In an ABC interview, defends his administration’s handling of Afghanistan withdrawal.

08/26/2021

Remarks on a suicide bombing at Kabul International Airport that killed 13 American service members and 169 Afghan civilians.

08/29/2021

A U.S. drone strike in Kabul kills 10 civilians; U.S. Central Command acknowledges a “tragic mistake” on 09/17/2021.

08/29/2021

Biden attends the dignified transfer for the 13 U.S. service members at Dover AFB. Images of him glancing at his watch during the ceremony drew criticism later addressed by the Press Secretary (08/31/2021).

08/31/2021

Remarks on the withdrawal of troops and ending of U.S. Military Operations in Afghanistan, marking an end to 20 years of war.

A report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction at the end of October 2021, noted that the Taliban “captured a windfall” of equipment. Despite the US evacuation of over 124,000 people, perhaps two hundred Americans remained who wished to leave.

09/09/2021

Executive Order 14043 orders the mandatory vaccination of all federal employees against COVID-19, with exceptions only as required by law.

09/15/2021

Announces a military technology partnership AUKUS (i.e., Australia, UK, US) with the UK and Australia to provide Australia nuclear-powered submarines, reshaping Indo-Pacific strategy.

09/21/2021

Addresses the U.N. General Assembly in New York, declaring a “new era of relentless diplomacy” following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

10/08/2021

Proclamation 10285 restores the Bears Ears National Monument;  Proclamation 10286 restores the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

10/08/2021

Proclamation 10283 declares October 11th as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Biden is the first President to proclaim this observance in addition to Columbus Day.

10/14/2021

Remarks about increasing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

10/19/2021

Executive Order 14050 establishes the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.

11/01/2021

Attends COP26 [Conference of the Parties] in Glasgow, Scotland. In remarks urges  decisive action this decade to meet climate goals.

11/02/2021

At COP26, announces Plan to Conserve Global Forests.

11/02/2021

Remarks on CDC’s authorization of COVID-19 vaccines for 5 –11-year-olds.

11/04/2021

Announces COVID-19 vaccinations will be required in companies with one hundred or more employees.

 11/15/2021

Signs the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, providing $1.2 trillion for public transportation, clean water and transportation infrastructure, environmental projects, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.

11/15/2021

By Executive Order 14053, launches a federal initiative to combat violence against Native Americans.

11/18/2021

Joint Statement with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on managing COVID-19, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and inclusive economic recovery efforts.

11/26/2021

Proclamation 10315 suspends entry into the United States of “noncitizens” who were present within certain Southern African countries during 14-day period preceding attempted entry to United States.

12/08/2021

The Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States disbands, following final report not recommending any major changes to the operations of the Court. [See above, 04/09/2021.]

12/08/2021

By Executive Order 14057, directs the Federal Government to cut greenhouse gas emissions from federal operations by 65% by 2030 and advance clean energy, electric vehicle adoption, sustainable infrastructure, and environmental justice. 

12/15/2021

By Executive Order 14060, establishes the United States Council on Transnational Organized Crime.

2022

 

01/13/2022

Remarks on Supreme Court’s unsigned (but divided) ruling in National Federation of Independent Business v. OSHA, that OSHA lacks authority to enforce COVID-19 vaccination mandates for private companies.

02/11/2022

In Press Briefing, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announces Russian invasion of Ukraine is imminent and urges US citizens to leave as soon as possible.

02/18/2022

Issues Notice continuing Proclamation 9994, which declares the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency.

02/22/2022

Remarks condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and outlining US sanctions targeting Russian financial institutions and elites.

02/25/2022

Issues Memorandum providing immediate military assistance to Ukraine.

02/25/2022

Nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court, the first Black woman ever nominated to serve on the Court.

03/01/2022

Address before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union, focusing on support for Ukraine, economic recovery, and domestic investment.

03/08/2022

Remarks announcing ban on imports of Russian oil and natural gas. “Ukraine will never be a victory for Putin.”

03/15/2022

Signs the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022.

03/29/2022

Remarks upon signing the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, making lynching a federal hate crime. Passed unanimously by the Senate and nearly so in the House.

04/05/2022

By Executive Order 14070, directs actions to strengthen and expand access to affordable, quality health care under the Affordable Care Act.

04/08/2021

Remarks on the Senate confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson as a Supreme Court Justice. She is the first African American woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

05/25/2022

Issues Executive Order 14074 to reform federal policing – banning chokeholds, enhancing de-escalation training, and creating a misconduct database. [Rescinded by President Trump 01/20/2025, by Executive Order 14148.]

06/10/2022

Joint Statement on the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, expressing a commitment between twenty-two countries to expand the protection of migrants.

06/24/2022

Remarks on the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade.

06/25/2022

Remarks on signing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law, the first significant federal gun safety legislation passed in nearly thirty years.

07/14/2022

Signs the Jerusalem U.S.--Israel Strategic Partnership Joint Declaration, reaffirming U.S. commitment to Israel’s security and preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

07/15/2022

In remarks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, reaffirms U.S. support for a two-state solution and announces humanitarian assistance.

08/01/2022

Remarks on the death of Al Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a U.S. counterterrorism operation in Kabul.

08/09/2022

Signs CHIPS and Science Act, investing$52 billion to boost U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, research, and supply chain security.

08/09/2022

Remarks on signing U.S. ratification instruments for NATO expansion to Finland and Sweden.

08/10/2022

Signs PACT Act, expanding and extending veterans’ eligibility for VA health care, disability compensation, and related benefits tied to toxic exposures.

08/16/2022

Signs Inflation Reduction Act, a $740 billion package to lower prescription-drug costs, fund clean-energy programs, and reduce the deficit. Critics questioned its short-term impact on inflation and new corporate tax provisions.

08/24/2022

Remarks on a plan for Student Loan Relief, canceling up to $10,000 in student debt for low-middle income borrowers and $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. [The plan was later struck down by the Supreme Court 06/30/2023.]

09/08/2022

Statement on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

09/21/2022

Addresses the U.N. General Assembly in New York, reaffirming commitment to defend the international order amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

09/29/2022

Remarks on Hurricane Ian.

09/30/2022

Statement condemning Putin’s attempt to annex four Ukrainian regions and increasing sanctions on Russia. “These actions have no legitimacy.”

10/06/2022

Proclamation 10467 grants pardons for simple marijuana possession under federal law.

11/11/2022

Remarks at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

11/14-2022 -
11/16/2022

Attends G20 summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia.

11/14/2022

Remarks prior to first in-person meeting with President Xi Jinping since taking office.

11/15/2022

Convenes emergency meeting with G7 and NATO leaders in Bali following missile explosion in Poland; issues joint statement reaffirming support for Poland and Ukraine.

12/13/2022

Remarks on signing the Respect for Marriage Act into law, strengthening protections for same-sex and interracial marriages.

12/29/2022

Statement on signing the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 funding the government through FY 2023, including aid for Ukraine and the Electoral Count Reform Act.

2023

 

01/08/2023 -
01/10/2023

Attends North American Leaders’ Summit in Mexico City, Mexico.

02/04/2023

Remarks on ordering the shoot-down of a Chinese surveillance balloon off South Carolina.

02/07/2023

Address before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union, emphasizes job growth, infrastructure progress, and bipartisan cooperation.

02/20/2023 -
02/22/2023

Unannounced visit to Kyiv (02/20) to meet President Zelenskyy; delivers remarks in Warsaw on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Meets with Bucharest Nine leaders (02/22).

03/20/2023

Vetoes H.J. Res. 30, a resolution aimed at canceling a Department of Labor rule requiring retirement plans to consider environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors in investment-related decisions. First veto of presidency.

03/23/2023 -
03/24/2023

Addresses a joint session of the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa during a two-day visit to Canada.

03/29/2023

Remarks at the Summit for Democracy plenary, “Democracy Delivering on Global Challenges,” attended by global leaders and co-hosted by partner nations.

04/10/2023

Signs H.R. 7 terminating the national emergency concerning COVID-19 (officially ends 05/11/2023).

04/25/2023

Video remarks announcing candidacy for re-election.

05/19/2023 -
05/21/2023

Attends G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Joint remarks with other leaders.

06/23/2023

By Executive Order 14101, extends the Affordable Care Act to include coverage of contraception and family-planning services.

06/29/2023

Remarks on the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard , ending race-based affirmative action in college admissions.

 07/10/2023

Meets with British PM Rishi Sunak King Charles III.

07/11/2023 -
07/12/2023

Attends NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

07/13/2023

Attends U.S.-Nordic Leaders' Summit in Helsinki, Finland.

08/09/2023

By Executive Order 14105, declares a national emergency to restrict U.S. outbound investment in sensitive technology sectors in “countries of concern” (including China).

08/31/2023

Remarks in Lahaina, Hawaii on wildfire (which had started on 08/08/2023 with over one hundred fatalities) damage and recovery efforts.

09/02/2023

Remarks on Hurricane Idalia damage and recovery efforts in Live Oak, Florida.

09/08/2023 -
09/10/2023

Attends G20 Summit in New Delhi, India; leaders issue a joint statement (09/09) reaffirming global economic cooperation.

09/10/2023 -
09/11/2023

Visits Hanoi, Vietnam; issues a joint statement upgrading U.S.-Vietnam relations to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

09/19/2023

Biden Addresses the U.N. General Assembly in New York, reaffirms support for Ukraine; warns that the world is at an inflection point between cooperation and conflict.

10/03/2023

House of Representatives votes to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) through a “motion to vacate” This is the first such removal in U.S. history. White House Press Briefing addresses the development.

10/18/2023

Met with PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, Israel after October 7th attacks.

10/26/2023

Issues statement on Lewiston, ME mass shooting that killed 18 and injured 13.

10/30/2023

Signs Executive Order 14110 on the “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy” development and use of AI.

11/15/2023

Meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Woodside, CA, on the sidelines of APEC; agrees to restore military communications and joint efforts on fentanyl control.

11/16/2023

Signs H.R. 6363 to fund the federal government through early 2024, preventing a shutdown; press release on 11/17/2023.

11/24/2023

Delivers remarks on the Gaza hostage-release deal and humanitarian pause.

12/19/2023

Border Patrol encounters over 10,500 illegal immigrants at the Southern border in a single day; later reported that encounters hit a record 249,785 for the month of December.

12/22/2023

Signs the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

2024

 

01/11/2024

Statement on joint airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen; in direct response to Houthi attacks against vessels in the Red Sea.

01/28/2024

Statement following a drone strike that killed 3 U.S. service members in Jordan; vows the U.S. will respond.

02/01/2024

Executive Order 14115 imposes sanctions on “persons undermining peace, security, and stability in the West Bank”.

02/05/2024

Special Counsel Robert Hur clears Biden of charges for mishandling classified documents, describing him as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory”—intensifies public concern over his cognitive decline.

02/16/2024

Remarks on response to train derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio.

03/07/2024

Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union.

04/05/2024

Remarks on reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Dundalk, Maryland.

06/04/2024

Proclamation 10773 suspends entry of certain noncitizens when border encounters average over 2,500 per day.

06/04/2024

A detailed WSJ report cites meeting participants who say Biden showed signs of slipping in private sessions; the White House disputes the account.

06/05/2024-
06/09/2024

Commemoration of 80th anniversary of D-Day in France.

06/12/2024

The House votes to hold AG Merrick Garland in contempt for refusing to turn over the Hur interview audio after the White House asserted executive privilege over the tapes.

06/12/2024-
06/14/2024

Attends G7 Summit meetings in Italy.

06/27/2024

Presidential debate with Donald Trump. After Biden’s mediocre debate performance, senior Democrats urge the President to withdraw.

07/14/2024

Addresses the Nation following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

07/21/2024

"Letter to the Nation” announces decision not to seek reelection.

07/24/2024

Address to the Nation on the decision not to seek reelection; does not explicitly endorse VP Harris.

09/06/2024

By Executive Order 14126, urges higher labor standards and developing registered apprenticeships; urges expanding protections for workers’ rights to organize.

09/24/2024

Addresses the U.N. General Assembly; calls for defense of democratic principles, multilateral solutions to climate, health, and security challenges, strengthening international institutions.

09/27/2024

Announce measures of emergency response to Hurricane Helene.

10/13/2024

Remarks on Hurricane Milton response and recovery efforts in St. Pete Beach, Florida.

10/17/2024 -
10/18/2024

Meets with Chancellor Scholz, President Steinmeier, French President Macron, and UK Prime Minister Starmer in Berlin, Germany.

11/05/2024

Donald J. Trump defeats Kamala Harris in the presidential election, winning 312 electoral votes to Harris’s 226 and 49.8% of the popular vote.

11/14/2024 -
11/17/2024

Attends APEC summit in Lima, Peru; meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

11/18/2024

Attends G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Visits the Amazon Rainforest, first such visit by US President.

11/26/2024

Remarks announcing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

12/01/2024

Statement on pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, a pardon from federal gun and tax evasion offenses. Justifies by pointing to an unfair and selective prosecution.

2025

 

01/05/2025

Remarks on signing the Social Security Fairness Act, expanding benefits for more than 2.5 million public-service retirees.

01/09/2025

Eulogy at memorial service for Former President Jimmy Carter.

01/13/2025

Remarks on federal response to wildfires in Los Angeles.

01/14/2025

Proclamation 10881 establishes the Chuckwalla National Monument.

01/15/2025

Farewell Address to the Nation.

01/15/2025

Remarks on a cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel.

01/20/2025

Preemptively pardons dozens involved in January 6 investigations, family members, General Mark Milley and Anthony Fauci.

 

Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Joseph R. Biden Event Timeline Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/385562

Filed Under

Categories

Simple Search of Our Archives