Timing in politics is basically everything. If you'd asked any beltway insider about the relationship between Joe Biden and Tim Walz back in 2023, you would've probably gotten a shrug. Walz was just the guy from Minnesota with the "Dad-ish" vibe, and Biden was the veteran at the top of the ticket. But things changed fast. By the time we hit 2024, and certainly as we look back from 2026, the Biden actions evaluation Walz dynamic has become one of the most interesting case studies in how a lame-duck president hands off the baton—or, in this case, helps craft a legacy that survived a brutal election loss.
Honestly, the way Biden evaluated Walz wasn't just about "do I like this guy?" It was a calculated series of moves designed to bridge the gap between his own "Scranton Joe" identity and the emerging progressive-but-practical wing of the party.
The Pivot Point: Why Biden Bet on the "Coach"
When Kamala Harris was looking for a running mate in August 2024, Joe Biden wasn't just sitting on the sidelines. He was actively vetting the vibe. You've gotta remember that Biden is a creature of the Senate and a believer in "retail politics." He reportedly saw in Walz a mirror of his own younger self—a guy who could speak to people in a bowling alley without sounding like he was reading a thesis paper.
Biden’s evaluation of Walz centered on three main things:
- Labor Credentials: Walz had the union backing that Biden views as the "backbone" of the country.
- The Military Record: Biden has a deep, personal reverence for service, and Walz’s 24 years in the National Guard checked a box that other candidates like Josh Shapiro didn't quite hit in the same way.
- The "Anti-Weird" Strategy: It was Walz who coined the "weird" label for the GOP ticket, and Biden loved it. He saw it as a way to strip away the "existential threat" rhetoric and make the opposition look, well, small.
Biden's Role in the VP Selection
There’s a misconception that Biden was totally hands-off after he dropped out in July 2024. Not true. The Biden actions evaluation Walz process involved several private consultations between Biden and Harris. Biden was particularly focused on how Walz would handle the "Blue Wall" states—Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
👉 See also: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Name: Why It Matters More Than You Think
He didn't want a "coastal elite." He wanted someone who could talk about corn prices and high school football. Even though the ticket eventually lost in the general election to Donald Trump and JD Vance, Biden’s internal evaluation was that Walz performed exactly as intended: he shored up the base and kept the rural margins from becoming a total bloodbath, even if it wasn't enough to win.
The 2025-2026 Shift: Fraud Scandals and the Cooling Relationship
Now, here is where it gets kinda messy. As we move into early 2026, the glow of the campaign has faded. The Biden administration, in its final months and even in its post-presidency influence, has had to distance itself slightly from Walz due to the massive fraud investigations hitting Minnesota.
We’re talking about the Feeding Our Future scandal and the subsequent $9 billion fraud probe that federal prosecutors are currently digging into. Biden, who spent his entire career obsessed with "integrity" and "middle-class honesty," hasn't been as vocal in his defense of Walz lately.
Recent Developments in Minnesota
- The Federal Surge: The DOJ (under the transition to the new administration) surged 2,000 agents to Minneapolis in January 2026 to investigate pandemic-era fraud.
- Walz’s Exit: On January 5, 2026, Tim Walz announced he wouldn't seek a third term as Governor. He claimed it was a "political vendetta," but many insiders suggest the Biden-era DOJ's findings made his position tenable.
- Administrative Oversight: The evaluation of Walz's "governing record" took a hit when audits showed lapses in the Minnesota Department of Education.
Was the Evaluation a Failure?
It depends on who you ask. If you look at the Biden actions evaluation Walz from a purely electoral standpoint, it didn't deliver the White House. Critics say Biden and Harris chose "vibes" over "electoral college math." They argue that skipping over Josh Shapiro was a mistake that cost them Pennsylvania.
✨ Don't miss: CECOT Prison in El Salvador: What Actually Happens Inside the Mega-Jail
However, if you look at it from a party-building perspective, Biden saw Walz as a bridge. He wanted to prove that the Democratic party wasn't just for city dwellers. He wanted a "Midwestern Dad" to show that progressivism (like free school meals and climate goals) could be "normal."
"The president is still delivering," Walz said back in 2024, defending Biden after the first debate. That loyalty went a long way in Biden’s book. Biden evaluates people on loyalty first, and Walz was a soldier for the cause until the very end.
The Reality of the "Biden-Walz" Legacy
People think this was a match made in heaven, but it was more of a marriage of convenience. Biden needed someone who wouldn't outshine Harris but would still look "tough" on the trail. Walz fit the bill.
But in 2026, the narrative is shifting. The Republican-led Treasury Department, now under Scott Bessent, has been using Minnesota as a "what not to do" example of big-government spending. This directly impacts how Biden’s endorsement of Walz is viewed in hindsight. Was Walz a "principled leader," as Biden called him in August 2024, or was he a governor who let the "North Star State" get off course?
🔗 Read more: What Time Does the President Speak Tonight? The 2026 Schedule Explained
What to Watch Next
If you’re trying to make sense of the Biden actions evaluation Walz legacy, you need to look at the ongoing federal probes. Here is what's actually on the table right now:
- The Fraud Trials: As the $9 billion fraud case moves through the courts in 2026, look for whether the "Biden-Harris" branding is brought up by the defense or the prosecution.
- Walz’s Political Future: Since he's not running for Governor again, does he end up in a think tank? Or does the Biden family continue to include him in their circle?
- The "Blue Wall" Autopsy: Democrats are still arguing over whether Walz was the right pick. The final evaluation will likely come down to the 2026 midterms and whether the "Walz model" of progressivism is still viable in the Midwest.
Honestly, Biden’s actions were always about protecting his own legacy by proxy. By picking Walz (via Harris), he was trying to prove that his version of the Democratic Party—working-class, veteran-heavy, and plain-spoken—was the future. Whether that's true or not is still very much up for debate.
Actionable Insights for Following This Story:
- Monitor the DOJ filings: The specific language used regarding "administrative oversight" in Minnesota will tell you how much the federal government is pinning on Walz’s leadership style.
- Check the 2026 Gubernatorial Primary: See if the candidates in Minnesota run with or away from the Walz-Biden record. That’s your real-world "evaluation."
- Follow the "One Big Beautiful Bill" effects: As the new administration's tax cuts take effect in 2026, compare the economic data in Minnesota vs. neighboring states to see if Walz's "climate champion" policies actually held up under pressure.
The story isn't over just because the election is. The way history evaluates the Biden-Walz partnership is currently being written in the courtrooms and statehouses of the Midwest.