Numerous individuals across the United States firmly hold the belief that Donald Trump has established himself as the worst president in the nation’s history. However, it’s important to acknowledge the existence of formidable contenders vying for the number one spot. Therefore, it becomes imperative to delve into the annals of American leadership and meticulously examine the records of the top 21 individuals who have occupied the presidential office, scrutinizing their actions and legacies with a critical eye.
Gerald R. Ford (1974-1977)
Upon assuming office following the tumult of the Watergate scandal, he sought to reassure the nation with the declaration that “our long national nightmare is over.” However, his subsequent decision to grant Richard Nixon an unconditional pardon proved disastrous for his public image. Throughout his tenure, spanning over two years, Ford grappled with the formidable challenge of inflation while endeavoring to maintain Nixon’s foreign policy of détente. In the 1976 presidential race, he faced defeat against Jimmy Carter, shocking many by asserting that the Eastern Bloc nations weren’t entirely subservient to Soviet Russia. The Pew Research Center reports that a survey conducted by Time magazine immediately after the pardon revealed that 58% of respondents believed Ford had made the “wrong decision,” a sentiment that endured through his electoral defeat to Carter.
Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)
Descending from President William Henry Harrison, the 23rd president endorsed a protective trade policy that some argue precipitated the Panic of 1893. His efforts to secure the Republican nomination for reelection in 1892 were fraught with challenges, ultimately resulting in defeat to former President Grover Cleveland in the general election. Despite his lineage, his presidency was marred by economic turmoil and political setbacks, leaving a complicated legacy for historians to dissect and analyze.
Richard Nixon (1969-1974)
Renowned historian Richard White describes Nixon as “the most capable among the failed presidents,” despite the Watergate scandal and revelations of his actions in the White House tapes. According to Statista, Nixon won the presidency in 1968 with 43.4% of the vote, focusing on ending the Vietnam War, restoring relations with China, and addressing the 1973 oil crisis. However, Nixon’s term ended in disgrace due to Watergate, despite his strong re-election victory in 1972.
William Henry Harrison (1841)
Similar to Garfield, his presidency was tragically cut short. The former general succumbed to pneumonia after a mere month in office, with a significant portion of that time spent battling illness. His presidential agenda was modest, as outlined in his inaugural address, where he pledged to uphold congressional legislation and implement reforms within the federal civil service. Despite his abbreviated tenure, his commitment to governance and duty resonates in the annals of American history.
Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)
During his presidency from 1853 to 1857, Franklin Pierce, the nation’s 14th president, endeavored to navigate the tumultuous waters of the slavery debate. He sought to placate both abolitionists and slavery proponents by supporting measures such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act, granting territorial residents the power to determine the legality of slavery, and endorsing the controversial Fugitive Slave Act. Opting not to pursue reelection, Pierce remained a vocal critic of President Lincoln throughout the Civil War, leaving a complex legacy in American history.
Chester Arthur (1881-1885)
Ascending to the presidency following the untimely death of James Garfield, the Vermont-born 20th vice president assumed the highest office in the land. During his tenure, Arthur spearheaded efforts to modernize the U.S. Navy and championed civil-service reform. While relatively well-received upon retiring from office, his standing in history has experienced a gradual decline over the years, as subsequent assessments have scrutinized his presidency through various lenses.
Warren G. Harding (1921-1923)
Warren G. Harding’s presidential term, spanning from 1921 to 1923, was characterized by his presidential appearance, widely acknowledged by many. However, beyond his outward demeanor, little else recommended him for the role. His tenure was marred by allegations of corruption, reckless behavior regarding extramarital affairs, and a marked disinterest in policy matters. The infamous Teapot Dome bribery scandal loomed large, threatening to engulf his presidency, but his sudden demise in office spared him from facing its full repercussions.
Herbert Hoover (1929-1933)
Elevated to the presidency just prior to the onset of the Great Depression, the erstwhile Commerce Secretary found himself unable to instill confidence among Americans regarding the efficacy of his proposed solutions to the unfolding economic crisis. The proliferation of makeshift homeless encampments, mockingly dubbed “Hoovervilles,” bore witness to the widespread disillusionment with his administration’s response. Despite his efforts, his bid for reelection in 1932 ended in a resounding defeat at the hands of Franklin Roosevelt, underscoring the prevailing discontent with his leadership.
John Tyler (1841-1845)
John Tyler, who served as president from 1841 to 1845, earned the nickname “His Accidency” due to his unexpected ascension to the presidency following the death of President William Henry Harrison. Despite his tenure, Tyler struggled to inspire confidence among the populace. Hailing from Virginia, he staunchly advocated for states’ rights, opposed the establishment of a national bank, and wielded the presidential veto liberally. Disenchanted Whig Party leaders removed him from their ranks, while nearly all members of his cabinet resigned, except for Secretary of State Daniel Webster. Tyler’s legacy was further marred by his alignment with the Confederate cause during the Civil War, which erupted 15 years after his departure from the White House.
William Howard Taft (1909-1913)
As Theodore Roosevelt’s chosen successor, he was expected to carry on the progressive legacy that Roosevelt had forged. However, his inclination towards conservatism and aversion to risk didn’t align with the evolving demands of the era. This stark contrast fueled Roosevelt’s disappointment, leading him to challenge his own protege in the 1912 presidential election as a third-party contender. The outcome was unfavorable for the incumbent, with Woodrow Wilson, the Democrat, clinching victory. Taft’s meager 8 electoral votes underscored his diminished standing. Despite this setback, he would later ascend to the esteemed position of Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court.
Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)
A career in the military had prepared him for leadership, yet he aimed to steer clear of political conflicts, particularly those surrounding the contentious issue of slavery. Sadly, his time in office was cut short, lasting just over a year, during which he struggled to make significant strides in governance. Despite his intentions, he was unable to leave a lasting impact on the nation’s affairs before his untimely death. His brief presidency remains overshadowed by unfulfilled potential and the lingering specter of unresolved issues.
James A. Garfield (1881)
One might expect historians to show leniency towards Garfield’s legacy. After all, the former Ohio congressman served as president for a mere four months before an assassin’s bullet cut short his tenure at a Washington, D.C., railroad station, leading to his death two months later. Despite his brief presidency, Garfield fervently championed civil rights, education, and the expansion of presidential authority. His truncated term, marked by tragedy, nonetheless left a lasting impact on American politics and values.
Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)
Andrew Johnson, a Democrat hailing from Tennessee, was chosen as vice president in 1864 in a bid to appease southern unionists. However, his elevation to the presidency following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln was met with widespread skepticism. Despite assuming the role of commander-in-chief, Johnson struggled to embrace the weight of his responsibilities, failing to garner the support of the American people. His contentious relationship with Republicans in Congress culminated in impeachment proceedings initiated by the House of Representatives. Although he narrowly escaped removal from office by one vote in the Senate, his presidency remained tarnished by the stain of impeachment.
Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)
As per the White House’s official website, Fillmore is credited with showcasing that with diligent work and a degree of skill, even an unremarkable individual could achieve the American dream. As a member of the Whig Party, Fillmore fervently supported the Compromise of 1850, a measure aimed at mitigating tensions between free and slave states. Following his departure from the presidency, he made a bid for the presidency once more in 1856, this time representing the anti-immigrant American Party, commonly referred to as the Know-Nothing Party.
Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)
Emerging from a single term as governor of Georgia, he embarked on a presidential campaign underscored by his solemn pledge to uphold unwavering honesty with the American populace. However, as a newcomer to the political landscape of Washington, D.C., Carter struggled to foster productive alliances with congressional figures, resulting in significant impediments to his policy initiatives. In the face of escalating stagflation, he delivered a televised address lamenting the pervasive “crisis of confidence” gripping the nation and the erosion of a shared national purpose. Regrettably, his failure to secure the release of American hostages detained in Iran dealt a fatal blow to his aspirations for reelection.
Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)
The governor of Ohio faced a tough electoral battle in 1876, losing the popular vote to New York Governor Samuel Tilden. However, he managed to secure a narrow victory in the electoral college, thus assuming the presidency as the 19th president. During his tenure, he navigated the delicate process of ending Reconstruction, a task that left few fully satisfied. Despite the challenges, he chose not to seek reelection, leaving behind a mixed legacy in the annals of American history.
James Buchanan (1857-1861)
As tensions escalated between northern and southern states regarding the issue of slavery, the 15th president found himself reluctant to confront the impending crisis head-on. Instead, he vacillated and evaded decisive action, attempting to straddle the fence. The onset of the Panic of 1857, plunging the nation into recession, further exacerbated the situation. Buchanan’s announcement that he would not pursue reelection coincided with the country’s descent into civil war, underscoring the tumultuous nature of his presidency.
George W. Bush (2001-2009)
Bush’s time in office became synonymous with the calamitous Iraq War and a gradual erosion of American civil liberties following the events of 9/11. Pulitzer Prize finalist Jean Edward Smith’s recent biography of Bush offers a damning assessment right from the outset, stating, “Rarely in the history of the United States has the nation been so ill-served as during the presidency of George W. Bush.” This succinctly encapsulates the prevailing sentiment regarding the shortcomings and missteps of his administration.
Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)
Dubbed as being “distinguishable from the furniture only when he moved,” Calvin Coolidge, the nation’s 30th president, earned the nickname “Silent Cal” due to his reserved demeanor. Opting for a hands-off approach, he oversaw a period of economic boom while resisting calls for increased federal oversight. However, his tenure was marred by the onset of the Great Depression shortly after leaving office. Despite his efforts, Coolidge’s foreign policies, including the Dawes Plan and the Kellogg-Briand Pact, failed to deter the rise of Nazism and international tensions, as noted by the Miller Center. Despite the subsequent downturn, Coolidge’s presidency served as a transitional phase into the modern era, bridging the gap between two distinct epochs in American history.
Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)
With a distinguished career spanning various public roles, including serving as New York governor and U.S. secretary of state, Van Buren entered the presidency amid high expectations. However, his tenure was marred by perceived incompetence and distractions. His handling of an economic crisis left much to be desired, compounded by his fervent support for westward expansion. Unfortunately, these missteps contributed to his defeat in the reelection bid, facing off against the popular war hero William Henry Harrison.
Donald Trump (2017-2021)
Trump’s distinction lies in being the sole president to face impeachment on two separate occasions. Despite the mounting legal challenges, including allegations of criminal misconduct related to his attempts to contest the outcome of the 2020 election, Trump is making a bid for the presidency once more in the upcoming 2024 election. Should he emerge victorious, he would join the exclusive ranks of presidents who have served non-consecutive terms, a feat achieved only by one other individual in the history of the White House.
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