In a surprising move, President Joe Biden declared on Sunday that he would be withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race and has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee. This decision follows a period of mounting pressure from fellow Democrats, especially after Biden's underwhelming debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this,” Biden stated on X.
Moments after Biden's announcement, Trump criticized him, calling him “the worst president by far in the history of our country” during a call with CNN.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a prominent Republican, urged Biden to resign from the presidency, stating, “If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough,” in a statement on X.
On the other hand, Cedric Richmond, co-chair of Biden's campaign, supported the President's choice to endorse Harris. Richmond highlighted Harris’s qualifications and contributions, noting, “He picked her as his running mate. He got a chance to see how smart, how tough, how good she is.”
Biden, who has been serving as President since 2021, chose Harris, who has both Indian and African heritage, as his vice-presidential pick. “My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made,” Biden said in a statement.
At 81, Biden’s decision comes just four months before the November 5 election. In a six-paragraph letter shared on social media, Biden reflected on his presidency and expressed his gratitude, stating, “It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
This announcement follows a noticeable decline in his health, as Biden is currently in self-isolation at his Delaware home after testing positive for COVID-19. He plans to address the nation later this week regarding his decision.
Biden expressed his appreciation for the American people and Vice President Harris in his letter, thanking them for their support and trust. He highlighted the progress made during his administration, including a robust economy, significant investments in various sectors, and landmark legislation on climate and gun safety.
In conclusion, Biden reiterated, “It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President,” and reaffirmed his commitment to his presidential duties for the remainder of his term.
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