Most controversial presidents of US

The most controversial presidents of US are those who have provoked intense debates and criticisms for their actions, policies, or personal conduct.

There is no definitive list of the most controversial presidents, as different sources may have different criteria and opinions.

However, based on the results of my web search, some of the presidents who frequently appear in the lists of the most controversial presidents are:

Andrew Jackson¹ ² ³ ⁴: He was the seventh president of the US and a war hero who defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans. He was also a populist who championed the rights of the common people and expanded democracy. However, he was also a slave owner who supported slavery expansion and opposed abolitionism. He was responsible for the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to the west, resulting in the Trail of Tears. He also defied the Supreme Court and Congress on several occasions, and faced a censure motion and an assassination attempt.

Abraham Lincoln¹ : He was the 16th president of the US and one of the most revered leaders in American history. He led the nation through the Civil War, preserved the Union, and abolished slavery. He also issued the Emancipation Proclamation, delivered the Gettysburg Address, and supported the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. However, he was also a controversial figure who faced fierce opposition from the Confederate states, as well as some factions in his own party and cabinet. He suspended the writ of habeas corpus, declared martial law, and authorized military tribunals. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in 1865.

Richard Nixon¹ ² : He was the 37th president of the US and a skilled diplomat who improved relations with China and the Soviet Union. He also ended US involvement in the Vietnam War, established the Environmental Protection Agency, and initiated détente with communist countries. However, he was also a paranoid and secretive leader who abused his power and violated the law. He was involved in the Watergate scandal, which exposed his role in covering up a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. He also ordered illegal wiretaps, created an enemies list, and obstructed justice. He resigned in 1974 to avoid impeachment.

Bill Clinton¹ ² : He was the 42nd president of the US and a charismatic and popular leader who presided over a period of economic prosperity and social progress. He balanced the federal budget, reformed welfare, signed NAFTA, and promoted peace in Northern Ireland and the Middle East. However, he was also a scandalous figure who faced several allegations of sexual misconduct and perjury. He had an affair with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern, and lied about it under oath. He was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1998, but acquitted by the Senate in 1999.

Donald Trump¹ ² ⁴: He was the 45th president of the US and a billionaire businessman who campaigned on a platform of “Make America Great Again”. He implemented tax cuts, renegotiated trade deals, appointed conservative judges, and confronted China and Iran. However, he was also a divisive and controversial leader who faced constant criticism and resistance from his opponents, the media, and some members of his own party. He was accused of racism, sexism, xenophobia, nepotism, corruption, obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and inciting violence. He was impeached twice by the House of Representatives in 2019 and 2021, but acquitted by the Senate both times.