Democrat and current US President Joe Biden has ended his reelection campaign.
Biden, 81, wrote on X: “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.
Biden’s reelection hopes are over
Former Barack Obama advisor Peter Loge discusses the quandary now facing the Democrats.
Former Barack Obama advisor Peter Loge discusses the quandary now facing the Democrats.
Biden had faced calls to end his run, particularly after concerns over his age.
“Let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected,” Biden wrote.
“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.”
Biden threw his support behind Harris, the Democratic Party’s instant favourite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago. Other possible candidates included California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,” Biden wrote.
“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.”
Whoever wins the party’s nomination will face Republican nominee and former president Donald Trump.
“I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together,” Biden wrote.
“We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”
Biden’s announcement announcement is the latest jolt to a campaign for the White House that both political parties see as the most consequential election in generations, coming just days after the attempted assassination of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally.
A disastrous debate last month with Trump raised doubts about Biden’s fitness for office just four months before the election
Biden’s exit: ‘The majority of his party wanted him to drop out’
Democratic strategist Nathan Daschle said it was “virtually impossible” for Biden to continue.
Democratic strategist Nathan Daschle said it was “virtually impossible” for Biden to continue.
The 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former president’s many falsehoods.
Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on January 20, 2025.
The White House confirmed the authenticity of the letter.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson predicted that Republicans would challenge whether Democrats can legally replace Biden as the nominee if he steps down.
“I think they have got legal hurdles in some of these states, and it’ll be litigated, I would expect, on the ground there and they will have to sort through that. They have got a real problem,” Johnson said on CNN’s State of the Union.
Johnson’s comments came earlier, amid the mounting calls for Biden to abandon his reelection campaign.
Nearly three dozen Democrats in Congress had said it was time for Biden to leave the race.
Installing Harris at the top of the ticket would be a history-making moment for the party elevating the first woman, Black person and person of South Asian descent as its presidential nominee. But it is not certain.
Officials from the highest ranks, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, prefer an open process, some believing it would strengthen any Democratic nominee to confront Republican Donald Trump.
“Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump,” Biden said. “Let’s do this.”
Donald Trump responds
Shortly after Biden’s announcement, Trump responded on Truth Social.
“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – and never was!” Trump wrote.
“He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement.
“We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly.
Democratic officials, including many who were behind the effort to push Biden from the race, quickly released statements praising Biden’s decision.
“His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American.”
However, House Speaker Johnson, a Republican, said Biden should immediately resign if he is not fit enough to run for office.
In a statement, Johnson said: “November 5 cannot arrive soon enough.”
