After weeks of mounting pressure, President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the upcoming November 5 election.
Biden, 81, who served as vice president under Barack Obama, had consistently resisted calls to step down from the presidential race despite concerns from fellow Republicans and donors about his chances at the polls.
However, he finally yielded to the pressure, announcing his decision in a post on his X handle on Sunday.
He will remain President and Commander-in-Chief until his term ends in January 2025.
“Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation,” Biden stated. “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,” his statement read in parts.
Biden acknowledged the critical role of the American people in these achievements, stating, “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 we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.”
Despite his initial intention to seek reelection, Biden explained, “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 expressed his gratitude to his supporters and Vice President Kamala Harris, calling her “an extraordinary partner in all this work.” He conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the American people for their faith and trust.
“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 presidency has been fraught with controversies, particularly concerning his health and fitness, which reached a peak after his defeat by a wide margin in a recent presidential debate against Donald Trump.
Biden, who made history as the oldest person elected to the Oval Office at age 77, had defeated Trump in the 2020 election after Trump’s first term.
