President Joe Biden announced the end of his re-election campaign in an Oval Office address, stating it was a defense of democracy and urging Americans to join him in preserving it. He emphasized that the defense of democracy is more important than his title and that the country must choose between moving forward or backward, unity or division. Biden cast his decision as one made in the interest of the nation, particularly in response to the threat he sees in former President Donald Trump, who he believes is a threat to democracy.
Biden endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to succeed him as the Democratic presidential nominee and praised her as experienced and capable. By stepping aside, Biden is the first incumbent to cede his party’s presidential nod since Lyndon Johnson in 1968. He reflected on his long career, which focused on the presidency, and highlighted accomplishments such as passing significant legislation and appointing the first Black woman to the Supreme Court. Biden pledged to continue working on his agenda as president until a new president is sworn in.
He expressed concern about the possibility of a second Trump presidency but emphasized that the power lies in the hands of the American people, urging them to reject division and protect democracy. Biden’s decision to retire rather than seek re-election means he will finish his career undefeated in general elections, ending a political career that has spanned several decades.
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