In a major development in the ongoing US Presidential elections 2024, President Joe Biden has announced that he will not seek reelection, stating it is in the best interest of his party and the country. In a letter posted on X, Biden expressed his honor in serving as president and emphasized his commitment to fulfilling his duties for the remainder of his term. Biden chose Vice President Kamala Harris as his nominee.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
“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,” Biden wrote.
His initial statement had not included an endorsement of Harris, but he followed up a few minutes later with an expression of support. Harris, 59, would become the first Black woman to do run at the top of a major-party ticket in the country’s history.
This decision follows weeks of concern about the 81-year-old president’s stamina and mental capabilities. Biden’s departure marks the first time in decades that a sitting US president has opted out of a reelection bid, reminiscent of Lyndon Johnson’s 1968 decision.
Biden’s move comes amid a highly charged political campaign, including an assassination attempt on Trump. Despite this, Biden faced declining support from congressional Democrats worried about a potential electoral wipeout. His poor performance in a June 27 CNN debate further fueled doubts about his candidacy.
Biden’s announcement concludes a political career spanning half a century, beginning as one of the youngest senators in US history and ending as the oldest president. Concerns about his age and mental faculties have been persistent issues since his 2020 campaign against Trump.
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