In an unprecedented move in the modern-day political world, President Joe Biden reversed his decision to seek reelection and announced Sunday he is withdrawing from the 2024 race and is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.
Biden’s sudden exit from the race came after calls from politicians and donors ramped up over the last couple of weeks following last month’s debate performance against former President Donald Trump.
Biden, who has been recovering from COVID-19, is expected to address the nation later this week but made the announcement in a letter posted across social media platforms.
Below is President Biden's full letter
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president," President Biden stated in the letter. "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."
The following is the full text of Biden’s letter announcing is exit from the 2024 race.“My fellow Americans, 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 State of America.’
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled for August 19-22 in Chicago.
Denver7 is committed to making a difference in our community by standing up for what's right, listening, lending a helping hand and following through on promises. See that work in action, in the videos above.