Commenting that he would provide more information later in the week, President Joe Biden (D) has announced his departure from the 2024 presidential election. The announcement comes at a time when the incumbent president faced mounting calls to drop out. Despite maintaining that he would indeed make it to November and win, the president has made it clear that he will not seek reelection.
In a letter distributed on social media, the president discussed the "great progress" the country has experienced.
"We've made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to record number of Americans." The president added that his Administration as "provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed in toxic substances" as well as passing "the first gun safety law in 30 years." He "appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world."
With this in mind, the president announced that he would be stepping down from the election in order to give Democrats a better chance of winning the election in November 5th.
"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," he wrote in the letter.
Though the exit was expected, the announcement has shocked the nation, and supporters have begun to share their thoughts on the president's departure.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (D) called the exit "the right decision" in a social media post. "Let's stay focused and energized for the future, our demands it."
"We must win - and the only way we will win is if we are united throughout what will no doubt be a messy, but necessary process," she added.
President Biden then released another social media post endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris (D) as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee.
My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. 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… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
