Joe Biden has announced his withdrawal from the United States presidential race. He has further endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee.
"It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, 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 said in a statement shared on social media on Sunday.
"For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected. 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 said.
He added that he will address the nation later this week, with more details, on his decision.
Commenting on his Presidency, he said over the past three and a half years, the US has made great progress as a nation.
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
"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,” Biden said.
The 81-year-old US leader’s announcement comes just days after he tested positive for Covid-19.
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