2024 Presidential Election
Biden Officially Drops Out of 2024 Presidential Campaign
Biden's announcement comes after months of speculation and pressure from within the Democratic Party.
Washington, D.C. — In an unexpected and historic move, President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will not seek re-election in the 2024 presidential race. This decision brings an abrupt end to his re-election campaign and sets the stage for a dramatic shift in the political landscape just four months before Election Day.
Biden, 81, cited his age and the growing sentiment within his party regarding his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump as key factors in his decision. In a heartfelt letter posted on social media, Biden expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's new nominee.
"While it has been my intention to seek re-election, 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. He added, "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. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year."
Biden's announcement comes after months of speculation and pressure from within the Democratic Party. His decision to step aside is unprecedented in modern political history, marking the first time a sitting president has withdrawn from a re-election bid so close to the party's convention. The last sitting president to abandon a re-election bid was Lyndon Johnson in 1968, but his announcement came eight months before the election.
The Democratic Party now faces the challenge of rallying behind a new candidate. Vice President Harris, who has been a key figure in the Biden administration, is expected to take the lead, but other prominent Democrats such as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer are also being discussed as potential contenders.
Reactions from political figures across the spectrum have been swift and varied. Governor Newsom praised Biden's presidency, stating, "He has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans." Governor Whitmer echoed these sentiments, calling Biden a "great public servant" and reaffirming her commitment to electing Democrats and opposing Donald Trump.
On the Republican side, the response was markedly different. House Speaker Mike Johnson called for Biden to resign immediately, stating, "If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as President." Former President Trump, in a phone interview, labeled Biden "the worst president in the history of the United States by far" and suggested that Biden "should never have been there in the first place."
Biden's decision to exit the race follows a contentious debate with Trump on June 27, where Biden's performance raised concerns among his supporters. The debate, marked by Biden's struggle to provide clear responses and his failure to challenge Trump's inaccuracies, intensified calls for him to step aside.
Despite his withdrawal from the race, Biden intends to complete his current term, which ends on January 20, 2025. In his letter, he emphasized his commitment to focusing on his presidential duties for the remainder of his tenure.
The Democratic National Convention, scheduled for August in Chicago, will now have to adapt to Biden's withdrawal. The party will need to coalesce around a new candidate quickly to mount a strong campaign against the Republican nominee, likely to be Trump, who has already begun to capitalize on Biden's decision.
As the political world reacts to this seismic shift, Biden's legacy as a public servant remains a focal point. His granddaughter, Naomi Biden, expressed her pride in a social media post, saying, "He has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction." First Lady Jill Biden also shared her husband's statement, adding a heart emoji to signify her support.
The coming weeks will be crucial for the Democratic Party as it navigates this unprecedented situation and prepares for the November election. With Biden stepping aside, the path is now clear for a new leader to emerge and carry the party's banner forward.