President Joe Biden will stay in office for the remainder of his term, endorses Vice President Kamala Harris.
President Joe Biden on July 21 dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, for the Democratic nomination.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” he said in a letter posted to X.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
“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.”
Some Democratic donors, lawmakers, and celebrities had called on President Biden to drop out as the party nominee, scrutinizing his performance in the first presidential debate with former President Donald Trump on June 27 and expressing concern for his viability in November. The president had repeatedly said he had a “bad night,” was not sufficiently prepared, and initially committed to staying in the race.
“I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision,” the president said in his letter.
“For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.”
“I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do—when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America,” the president said.
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
President Biden tested positive for the virus on July 17 in Las Vegas while traveling for campaign events. He canceled his events and returned to his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, to self-isolate during recovery the same day.
“His symptoms have improved significantly. His pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature remain absolutely normal,” his doctor said in the most recent letter.
The lawmakers who had publicly stated they believe President Biden should not seek reelection were those who are facing tough elections this year in competitive swing districts.
Media reports have also suggested that various Democratic elites, including former President Barack Obama, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), had privately urged President Biden to drop out as the nominee.
By Jacob Burg and Emel Akan
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