“It has been the greatest honor 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,” Biden wrote in a letter announcing his decision.Following weeks of speculation and growing pressure from senior officials within his own party, President Joe Biden has announced he is ending his candidacy in the 2024 election.
The 81-year-old president has faced numerous calls to exit the presidential race after his unanimously panned debate performance against former President Donald Trump a few weeks ago. Biden’s addled debate effort led many nationwide to publicly question his mental acuity and fitness for office. In recent days, there have been competing reports about whether he would actually drop out of the 2024 election contest, with his own team insisting just days ago that he would remain. But, with senior Democratic figures like Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Adam Schiff, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi all pressing Biden to move aside, many anticipated him leaving the race. With only 107 days until the 2024 election and the Democratic National Convention beginning on Aug. 19, Biden needed to decide quickly. He did not provide details on his health or specific reasons for not seeking reelection, noting that he would address the nation later this week about his decision. Shortly after the anouncement, Biden threw his support behind Vice Presidnet Kamala Harris to become the party’s presidential nominee this year, ending speculation as to whether he would press for some form of an open primary contest allowing multiple candidates to vie for the position. “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 posted to X. “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.”
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
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… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
