United States President Joe Biden has announced his withdrawal from the presidential race, just four months before the 2024 election. The decision follows mounting pressure from prominent Democratic leaders and concerns about his re-election chances.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had privately expressed doubts about Biden’s candidacy. Former President Barack Obama also reportedly believed Biden’s chances of winning had significantly decreased.
Several lawmakers, including US Senator Joe Manchin, called for Biden to “pass the torch to a new generation.” Manchin emphasized that Biden’s departure would allow him to focus on pressing issues like aiding Ukraine and ending the conflict in Gaza. Similarly, Congressman Jamie Raskin likened Biden to a fatigued baseball pitcher, suggesting it was time for him to step aside.
Despite Biden’s repeated assertions that he was “not going anywhere,” the calls for his withdrawal grew louder, with Democratic politicians, donors, and voters increasingly voicing their concerns.
Following the June 27 debate, Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett and other lawmakers, including Senators Peter Welch, Martin Heinrich, and Jon Tester, urged Biden to withdraw. They were joined by numerous House colleagues, including Adam Schiff, Raul Grijalva, and several others in tight re-election races.
Biden announced his decision to withdraw on his X platform (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude to Vice President Kamala Harris and the American people for their support. He emphasized the unity and resilience of the United States, stating, “There is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together.”
In his statement, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, praising her as his best decision and calling on Democrats to unite to defeat Donald Trump.
Reacting to Biden’s withdrawal, Trump criticized his former opponent, claiming Biden was “not fit to run for President.” Trump vowed to address the issues he believes have arisen from Biden’s presidency and reiterated his commitment to “Make America great again.”
