1. Ronald Reagan
Reagan remains an icon to many, but his policies had long-term downsides. His economic approach—“Reaganomics”—cut taxes for the wealthy and deregulated industries, contributing to rising income inequality, according to Will Kenton of Investopedia. He also slashed funding for social programs and mental health services.
His administration largely ignored the AIDS crisis during its early years, delaying critical action. And while he helped end the Cold War, his foreign interventions—like in Central America—were often ethically questionable. His charm masked some deeply divisive decisions.
2. Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson’s presidency came at a pivotal moment—right after the Civil War—and unfortunately, he squandered the opportunity. He was openly hostile to efforts aimed at securing rights for newly freed slaves. His vetoes of civil rights legislation and leniency toward former Confederates stalled Reconstruction.
Worse, he openly opposed the Fourteenth Amendment, which granted citizenship to former slaves. That stance emboldened Southern resistance and gave rise to Black Codes. He was impeached by the House but narrowly avoided removal in the Senate. Still, his damage was lasting.
3. Warren G. Harding
Harding was personally likable, but his administration was plagued by scandal and corruption, according to Eugene P. Trani of the Miller Center. He appointed friends—often called the “Ohio Gang”—to high office, and many abused their positions. The most infamous scandal was Teapot Dome, where officials took bribes for oil leases.
Harding himself may not have been directly involved, but his lack of oversight and poor judgment in staffing hurt the public’s trust in government. His presidency is a case study in what happens when cronyism outweighs competence. Even he reportedly admitted he was in over his head.
4. Richard Nixon
Nixon had some major achievements, like opening relations with China, but the Watergate scandal overshadows them, according to Tom van der Voort of the Miller Center. His involvement in the cover-up and abuse of presidential power led to his resignation. That event rocked Americans’ faith in democratic institutions.
The fallout from Watergate wasn’t just political; it bred deep cynicism toward Washington that persists. Nixon’s use of the FBI and CIA for political ends was a gross overreach. In the end, the scandal wasn’t just about a break-in—it was about the breakdown of trust.
5. Herbert Hoover
Hoover was in office as the Great Depression hit, and many argue he made things worse by refusing to act boldly, according to Adam Geller of The Press Democrat. He believed the economy would correct itself and that government aid would foster dependency. As a result, his limited response deepened the crisis.
He did authorize some public works, like the Hoover Dam, but it wasn’t enough. Homeless camps called “Hoovervilles” sprang up, a symbol of his administration’s failure. His rigid adherence to laissez-faire ideals blinded him to the suffering around him.
6. Franklin Pierce
Another pre-Civil War president who couldn’t—or wouldn’t—address the slavery crisis. Pierce supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed states to choose whether to allow slavery. That law effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise and led to violence in “Bleeding Kansas.”
His administration turned a blind eye to these violent clashes and empowered pro-slavery forces. Instead of calming tensions, he inflamed them. Pierce’s actions arguably accelerated the road to civil war.
7. Millard Fillmore
Fillmore is best known for signing the Compromise of 1850, which included the deeply unpopular Fugitive Slave Act. That law required citizens—even in free states—to return escaped slaves. It enraged Northern abolitionists and further polarized the nation.
Though Fillmore saw himself as preserving the Union, many historians argue he only delayed an inevitable conflict. He also cracked down on anti-slavery literature in the mail. In hindsight, his compromises preserved peace at the expense of justice.
8. George W. Bush
George W. Bush’s presidency will always be defined by 9/11—but also by what followed. The Iraq War, launched under the false premise of weapons of mass destruction, cost hundreds of thousands of lives and destabilized the region. Critics argue it was a war of choice with catastrophic consequences.
Domestically, his handling of Hurricane Katrina drew widespread criticism for being slow and inadequate. His economic policies also contributed to the conditions leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. While he had good intentions, many of his decisions caused more harm than good.
9. John Tyler
John Tyler was the first vice president to take office after a president died, and his tenure was marked by constant conflict. He vetoed much of his own Whig Party’s agenda and was eventually expelled from it. That left him politically isolated and largely ineffective.
Though he did push for the annexation of Texas, it reignited tensions over slavery and contributed to the Mexican-American War. His embrace of states’ rights over national unity alarmed even his allies. In fact, he later sided with the Confederacy—an ignominious post-presidency footnote.
10. Donald Trump
Trump remains a highly polarizing figure, but many historians argue his presidency did long-term harm to democratic norms. He repeatedly undermined public trust in elections, most notably with his refusal to accept the 2020 results. His rhetoric and actions led to the January 6th Capitol riot.
Beyond that, his administration downplayed the severity of COVID-19 early on, which likely worsened the pandemic’s toll. His handling of immigration and climate policy also sparked criticism for being reactive and divisive. Regardless of political leaning, the damage to institutional trust is a lasting concern.
11. Andrew Jackson
Jackson’s populist style made him a hero to many in his day—but his legacy is deeply troubling. He was a driving force behind the Indian Removal Act, which led to the Trail of Tears—a brutal and deadly forced migration. Thousands of Native Americans died because of his policies.
He also dismantled the national bank, destabilizing the economy in the long run. His aggressive use of executive power set a precedent that alarmed critics even then. Jackson was bold, but often dangerously so.
12. Martin Van Buren
Van Buren inherited an economic crisis—the Panic of 1837—but failed to do much to alleviate it. He stuck to hard-money policies that worsened the depression. Unemployment soared, and banks collapsed.
Worse still, he continued Jackson’s policy of Indian removal without hesitation. Though more of a technocrat than a showman, his rigidity in the face of suffering did real harm. He’s remembered more for missed opportunities than bold leadership.
13. Ulysses S. Grant
Grant was a brilliant general, but his presidency was riddled with scandal. He appointed friends and allies who used their positions for personal gain, like in the Crédit Mobilier and Whiskey Ring scandals. While Grant himself wasn’t corrupt, his judgment was seriously flawed.
He also struggled to effectively enforce Reconstruction policies, despite supporting civil rights in principle. His good intentions were often undercut by administrative incompetence. In the end, his leadership fell short of the moment’s demands.
14. James Buchanan
Let’s start with James Buchanan, often ranked near the bottom of presidential rankings. His big failure? He essentially stood by as the country spiraled toward civil war. Rather than taking a firm stance against secession or addressing slavery head-on, he clung to the idea that the federal government couldn’t interfere.
Historians criticize him for inaction at a critical juncture in American history. In fact, just weeks before Lincoln took office, seven states had already seceded. His dithering leadership gave momentum to the Confederacy’s birth. That legacy casts a long shadow.
