22-7-2024 (WASHINGTON) President Joe Biden has dropped his faltering re-election bid amidst intensifying opposition within his own Democratic Party. In a stunning move, the 81-year-old incumbent has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to become the party’s candidate against Republican Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election.
The announcement, which came via a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), marks an unprecedented decision by a sitting U.S. president to step aside and pave the way for their vice president to lead the party’s ticket. Biden’s statement underscored his intention to remain in his role as president and commander-in-chief until his term ends in January 2025, while acknowledging the necessity of standing down from the re-election campaign to focus solely on fulfilling his duties.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
“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 wrote, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political landscape.
The move comes as Biden’s campaign has faced mounting challenges, with opposition from within his own party gaining significant momentum in recent weeks. A staggering 36 congressional Democrats – more than one in eight – had publicly called on the president to end his campaign, citing fears that his candidacy could cost the party not only the White House but also the chance to control either chamber of Congress next year, effectively leaving Democrats with no meaningful grasp on power in Washington.
This stark contrast with the Republican Party’s display of unity at their recent convention, where delegates rallied around Trump and his running mate, U.S. Senator JD Vance, has further fueled concerns within Democratic ranks about the party’s prospects under Biden’s leadership.
In a statement, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison acknowledged the historic nature of the decision, assuring the American people that the party would soon outline the next steps and the path forward for the nomination process.
If officially nominated, Harris, 59, would become the first Black woman to run to lead a major-party ticket in U.S. history. A former attorney general of California and former U.S. senator, Harris ran unsuccessfully for president against Biden in 2020 but has since played a pivotal role as his vice president.
“My intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Harris said in a statement. “I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump.”
The decision to endorse Harris as his successor has sent ripples through the Democratic Party, with potential contenders for the vice presidential nomination, including Governors Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, and Andy Beshear of Kentucky, issuing statements praising Biden and vowing to fight for a Democratic win in November, without explicitly endorsing Harris or expressing their own ambitions.
Meanwhile, Trump wasted no time in weighing in on the development, telling CNN that he believed Harris would be easier to defeat in the general election.
Biden’s announcement, which followed a last-minute change of heart according to sources familiar with the matter, has ignited a fierce debate within the Republican ranks. Congressional Republicans have argued that Biden should resign the office immediately, a move that would elevate Harris to the presidency and put House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, next in line in succession.
“If he’s incapable of running for president, how is he capable of governing right now? I mean, there is five months left in this administration. It’s a real concern, and it’s a danger to the country,” Johnson told CNN on Sunday before Biden’s announcement, signaling potential legal challenges from Republicans to Democrats’ move to replace Biden on the ballot.
