Behind the Scenes of Joe Biden's Presidency: 19 Never-Before-Seen White House Photos (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

During his presidency, which followed a lengthy career as a senator and vice president, he touted milestone legislative achievements such as theInflation Reduction Act,Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, and CHIPS and Science Act, while battling the headwinds of an increasingly divided country and Congress.

Presidents' actions typically unfold on the global stage, though some moments remain less documented. Below, PEOPLE shares 19 never-before-seen snapshots from Biden’s White House photographers as he and Vice PresidentKamala Harrisprepare to pass the baton.

01of 19

Appointing Ketanji Brown Jackson

President Biden‬ secured confirmation of 235 federal judges — the most in a single presidential term since the 1980s — and appointed Jackson to become the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court.

02of 19

Congratulating the First Lady

President Joe Biden greeted first ladyDr. Jill Bidenwith a bouquet of flowers at the South Portico of the White House on Dec. 12, 2024, celebrating her final day of teaching atNOVA Community College.

Dr. Biden is the only first lady in history who maintained a salaried job outside of the White House during her tenure.

03of 19

A Cinco de Mayo Lunch Stop

On May 5, 2023, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris grabbed lunch from Taqueria Habanero in Washington, D.C., to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

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Surprising a School Teacher

President Joe Biden surprised Kelly Beckford, a Rhode Island school teacher, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Oct. 4, 2024, informing her that more than $46,000 of her student loans would be forgiven through thePublic Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Through the program, the Biden administration says it provided student loan forgiveness to five million people.

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A Long-Awaited Prisoner Swap

On Aug. 1, 2024, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomedWall Street JournalreporterEvan Gershkovich, former U.S. MarinePaul Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, along with their families,following the detainees' releaseas part of a prisoner swap with Russia.

“Tonight is about reuniting families. Welcome home, Paul, Evan, and Alsu. You’re right where you belong,” Biden wrote onInstagram.

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Meeting a Medicare Recipient

President Joe Biden recorded a digital video withMedicarerecipient Judy Aiken outside the Oval Office on Aug. 12, 2024.

“The Inflation Reduction Act is now law. Giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. Ensuring wealthy corporations pay their fair share in taxes,” Biden wrote onX.

07of 19

Walking a Picket Line

President Joe Biden addressed United Auto Workers members and became thefirst sitting president to join a picket lineat the General Motors Willow Run Distribution Center in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 26, 2023.

“You deserve a significant raise,” he said through a bullhorn.

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Shopping Local

President Joe Biden visited Murray’s Toggery Shop and other local businesses in Nantucket, Mass., on Nov. 25, 2023. Biden’sAmerican Rescue Planfacilitated 20 million new small business applications during his term.

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Partnering with the Next Generation

President Joe Biden and New York Rep.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezfilm a video message ahead of an Earth Day event at Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Va., on April 22, 2024.

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Celebrating the CHIPS and Science Act

President Joe Biden spoke to a group of workers at the Intel Ocotillo Campus in Chandler, Ariz., following his remarks announcing CHIPS and Science Act grants to Intel to expand U.S. semiconductor production on March 20, 2024.

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Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

President Joe Biden spoke with veterans and VA staff members during a briefing on thevaccine processat the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center on March 8, 2021. Biden’s American Rescue Plan included funding for COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution.

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13of 19

Improving Baltimore Infrastructure

On Jan. 30, 2023, President Joe Biden delivered remarks at the Falls Road Amtrak maintenance building in Baltimore, Md., discussing funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel.

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A Situation Room Briefing

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Cancer Moonshot

On Oct. 7, 2022, first lady Jill Biden visited the U.C. San Francisco Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building in San Francisco.

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New NATO Allies

President Joe Biden, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Swedish Prime MinisterMagdalena Anderssonwalked along the West Colonnade of the White House on May 19, 2022, to deliver remarks in the Rose Garden.

During his time in office, Biden pushed for Finland and Sweden to join NATO.

17of 19

America’s National Parks

On July 2, 2021, the first-ever second gentleman,Doug Emhoff, visited Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.

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The Ukraine Partnership

President Joe Bidenviewed the Walk of the Bravewith Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyyon Feb. 20, 2023, at the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine.

“I am in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm ourunwavering and unflagging commitmentto Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Biden wrote in astatementduring his trip.

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Accepting the Election Results

Vice President Kamala Harris arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2025, to certify her own defeat in the2024 presidential election.

“The votes for president of the United States are as follows,” she declared on the four-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. “Donald J. Trump of the state of Florida has received 312 votes. Kamala D. Harris of the state of California has received 226 votes."

source: people.com