US President Joe Biden has stepped down from the presidential election.
In a statement on Sunday, Biden said he intends to seek reelection as president, but his decision to quit the race is in the interest of his party and country.
The statement issued on X reads: “Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
“Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
“I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once-in-a-century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
“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.
“I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
“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.”
Biden exited the race following stark warnings from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries that his candidacy risked significant losses for Democrats in both chambers of Congress.
Over 30 congressional Democrats urged Biden to withdraw, and former President Barack Obama, although initially reluctant, reportedly conveyed similar concerns to Democratic allies regarding Biden’s chances against Trump. Democratic donors, spanning from Hollywood to Wall Street, also voiced opposition to Biden continuing his reelection bid.
The move disrupts the 2024 election fewer than 110 days before Election Day, leaving Democratic National Committee members to select an alternative nominee to face Trump, whose lead in polling has expanded amid Democratic internal conflicts.
Vice President Harris now emerges as the frontrunner to succeed Biden as the Democratic nominee though the party’s lineup of Democratic governors, including Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Gavin Newsom of California, could also be considered.
Biden becomes the first incumbent president not seeking reelection since Lyndon B. Johnson, who, in 1968 amid national unrest and Democratic Party turmoil over the Vietnam War, shocked the nation by opting not to pursue a second full term.
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