In a rare Oval Office address, President Joe Biden spoke extensively for the first time about his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and outlined his plans for the remaining months of his long political career.
Biden’s remarks come three days after his bombshell announcement in a letter addressed to “my fellow Americans,” where he revealed he was stepping away from the campaign trail.
“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation,” Biden stated.
In a rare Oval Office address, President Joe Biden spoke about his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and outlined his plans for the final months of his presidency.
“I revere this office. But I love this country more,” Biden stated. He discussed his commitment to “finish the job,” a phrase that became his reelection motto as he campaigned for a second term against his 2020 rival, Donald Trump.
Biden’s election battle ended on Sunday after a month of intense pressure from Democrats to reconsider his candidacy following a poor debate performance that reignited concerns about his age and ability to take on Trump for another term.
“Over the next six months, I will be focused on doing my job as President,” Biden said. “That means I will continue to lower costs for hard-working families and grow our economy. I will keep defending our personal freedoms and our civil rights—from the right to vote to the right to choose.”
He emphasized the stakes of the upcoming election, which he views as a battle to preserve the nation’s founding principles. “The defense of democracy is more important than any title. I draw strength and find joy in working for the American people,” he said. “But this sacred task of perfecting our Union is not about me. It’s about you. Your families. Your futures. It’s about ‘We the People.'”
Biden continued, “The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule. The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands.”
Amid ongoing questions about Biden’s decision to end his campaign, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Biden consulted a small group of advisers and family members on Saturday evening and made the final decision to step aside on Sunday. Jean-Pierre emphasized that the decision had “nothing to do with his health.”
“Obviously, this is a historic moment, but a decision like this is very personal. It’s not easy to make, and I think there are very rare politicians who could look at the situation and make a decision, right?” Jean-Pierre said.
She also pushed back against calls from Republicans for Biden to resign from office if he can’t campaign, affirming his commitment to continue his work as President.
