Not all U.S. presidents are remembered fondly after leaving office. Some left behind controversial legacies that led historians and political experts to rate them among the worst. Based on the average of three major presidential polls, here is a look at the top 10 worst presidents of the United States.

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10. Herbert Hoover

• Born: August 10, 1874

• Died: October 20, 1964

• Presidential Term: March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933

• Vice President: Charles Curtis

Herbert Hoover struggled to effectively communicate and manage the country’s economy during the Great Depression. His policies and trade wars are often cited as worsening the economic crisis.

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9. Millard Fillmore

• Born: January 7, 1800

• Died: March 8, 1874

• Presidential Term: July 9, 1850 – March 4, 1853

• Vice President: None

Millard Fillmore supported the Compromise of 1850, which temporarily delayed Southern secession but allowed the expansion of slavery. His leadership is often seen as having postponed, but not prevented, the Civil War.

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8. John Tyler

• Born: March 29, 1790

• Died: January 18, 1862

• Presidential Term: April 4, 1841 – March 4, 1845

• Vice President: None

John Tyler abandoned many of his party’s policies after assuming the presidency. He strongly defended slavery, causing tensions that contributed to the nation’s growing divide.

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7. Warren G. Harding

• Born: November 2, 1865

• Died: August 2, 1923

• Presidential Term: March 4, 1921 – August 2, 1923

• Vice President: Calvin Coolidge

Warren G. Harding’s presidency was marked by corruption and scandals within his administration. Although personally well-liked, his leadership is often seen as weak and ineffective.

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6. William Henry Harrison

• Born: February 9, 1773

• Died: April 4, 1841

• Presidential Term: March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841

• Vice President: John Tyler

William Henry Harrison served the shortest presidency in U.S. history, lasting only 30 days. After delivering the longest inaugural address without proper attire, he caught pneumonia and became the first president to die in office.

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5. Franklin Pierce

• Born: November 23, 1804

• Died: October 8, 1869

• Presidential Term: March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1857

• Vice President: William R. King

Franklin Pierce pushed for territorial expansion that included the spread of slavery. His decisions helped create the tensions that led to the Civil War.

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4. Donald Trump

• Born: June 14, 1946

• Presidential Term: January 20, 2017 – January 20, 2021; January 20, 2025 – Present (second term ongoing)

• Vice Presidents: Mike Pence, JD Vance

Donald Trump is the only living president among the top worst rankings. Experts criticized his leadership style and governance after his first term. Despite controversy, he made history by winning a second, non-consecutive term.

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3. Andrew Johnson

• Born: December 29, 1808

• Died: July 31, 1875

• Presidential Term: April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869

• Vice President: None

Andrew Johnson is remembered for opposing Reconstruction efforts after the Civil War. His resistance to the 14th Amendment and civil rights initiatives led to his impeachment trial, though he narrowly avoided removal from office.

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2. James Buchanan

• Born: April 23, 1791

• Died: June 1, 1868

• Presidential Term: March 4, 1857 – March 4, 1861

• Vice President: John Breckinridge

James Buchanan ranks as the worst president in U.S. history. His failure to address the growing crisis over slavery and his inaction during the secession of Southern states directly contributed to the onset of the Civil War.

9 (tie). Zachary Taylor

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Conclusion

These presidents left a lasting mark on U.S. history, but not always for the right reasons. Leadership challenges, poor policy decisions, and failure to unify the nation during crucial times have led historians to rank them among America’s worst presidents. Understanding their mistakes offers important lessons for future leaders.

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FAQs

Q1. Who is considered the worst U.S. president?
James Buchanan is widely considered the worst president due to his failure to address the secession crisis.

Q2. Why is Herbert Hoover criticized?
Herbert Hoover is criticized for policies that worsened the Great Depression.

Q3. Has Donald Trump served two terms?
Donald Trump is serving his second term after winning the 2024 election, becoming one of the few to serve non-consecutive terms.

Q4. Why was Andrew Johnson impeached?
Andrew Johnson was impeached for opposing Reconstruction and violating the Tenure of Office Act.

Q5. What made Warren G. Harding’s presidency controversial?
Harding’s presidency is remembered for widespread scandals and corruption among his appointees.