In a surprising announcement on X, United States President Joe Biden revealed that he will not be running as a candidate in the 2024 election.
He stated that he will address the nation “later this week” to elaborate on his decision.
This move follows public appeals from numerous congressional Democrats urging the 81-year-old president to step aside after a lackluster debate performance last month against his Republican challenger, 78-year-old Donald Trump.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised Biden’s decision, calling him a “true patriot and great American.” Schumer shared his thoughts on X, stating, “His decision, of course, was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first.”
Schumer emphasized Biden’s contributions, saying, “Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he’s a truly amazing human being. His decision, of course, was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first.”
In his announcement, Biden reflected on the progress made during his tenure:
“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 history. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.”
Biden continued, “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 revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.”
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. 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 States of America.”
Biden’s announcement marks a significant moment in American politics, with his decision likely to shape the Democratic Party’s strategy and candidate selection for the upcoming 2024 election.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
