Former Vice President Mike Pence on Monday praised President Biden's decision not to seek reelection and urged leaders in both parties to "project calm" after a tumultuous few weeks in the political world.
"President Joe Biden made the right decision for our country and I thank him for putting the interests of our Nation ahead of his own," Pence posted on the social platform X.
"After the assassination attempt on President Trump and President Biden’s decision to end his campaign, now is a time for leaders in both parties to project calm and send a message of strength and resolve to America’s friends and enemies alike that, whatever the state of our politics, the American people are strong and our American military stands ready to defend our freedom and our vital national interests anywhere in the world," he added.
Pence served as Trump's vice president for four years but has found himself increasingly out of step with the base of the Republican Party ever since he refused to reject the 2020 election results on Jan. 6, 2021.
The former vice president ran an unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign of his own. After dropping out, Pence said he would not be endorsing Trump and that he would not be backing Biden either.
Biden announced Sunday afternoon he would not run for a second term amid mounting pressure from elected Democrats for him to step aside, citing concerns he could not defeat Trump in November. Minutes later, he endorsed Harris as the nominee.
Harris said she planned to "earn and win" the party’s nomination, and it’s unclear if she will face any serious challengers in the month before the Democratic convention begins Aug. 17 in Chicago.
