President Joe Biden has announced that he will not seek reelection in a letter posted on his official X account.
In a follow-up post, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his preferred successor.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden stated.
He added that while he had intended to seek reelection, he now believes the country and his party should step down.
Biden plans to address the nation later this week with more details on his decision.
Biden praised Harris in his endorsement, calling her his best decision as party nominee in 2020 and urging Democrats to support her.
His decision comes after weeks of scrutiny over his age and mental acuity, which raised concerns about his ability to campaign and govern effectively.
Biden’s departure is unprecedented in recent history, reminiscent of President Lyndon Johnson’s decision not to seek a second term in 1968.
The development adds to a tumultuous political season marked by an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Biden’s performance in a June 27 CNN debate had already intensified doubts about his candidacy, with many critics pointing to his lacklustre performance.
Despite attempts to mitigate the damage, including blaming his debate performance on jet lag, the fallout led to increased calls for his withdrawal from the race.
The conversation around Biden’s future intensified with prominent Democrats and major donors, including George Clooney, urging him to step aside for the good of the party.
The political turmoil surrounding President Biden underscores a broader crisis in the Democratic Party as they navigate the implications of his withdrawal. The ongoing debates and concerns about his effectiveness have not only impacted his reelection bid but also created uncertainties about the party’s strategy for the upcoming elections.
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