He gave a rare Oval Office address to the nation, explaining why he dropped out of the presidential race.
Last updated: Thursday, July 25, 2024 1:56AM GMT
President Joe Biden addressed the nation Wednesday for the first time since dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.
During a rare Oval Office address to the nation, President Joe Biden said it's best to pass the "torch to a new generation."
"The defense of democracy is more important than any title," Biden said. "Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. And that includes personal ambition."
Said Biden, "I revere this office, but I love my country more."
In his address, he explained why he dropped out of the presidential race and outlined what he hopes to do in his remaining six months in office.
In the meantime, Vice President Kamala Harris is pushing ahead with campaigning for president days after Biden's decision.
With enough delegates secured to become the presumptive Democratic nominee if they keep to their pledges, Harris has held her first campaign rallies. At his first rally since Biden's announcement, Donald Trump attacked Harris while talking to voters in South Carolina.
Biden delivers prime-time address on decision to exit 2024 race
Watch the video player below for the president's full remarks.
President Joe Biden, in a rare Oval Office address to the nation, spoke extensively for the first time on his decision to withdraw from the 2024 race.
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Former President Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance reacted to President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the race, calling him "the worst president in my lifetime" and saying they are ready to take on Vice President Kamala Harris.
"Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way. Over the last four years she co-signed Biden's open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. She owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about Biden's mental capacity--saddling the nation with a president who can't do the job," Vance said in a statement on X.
"President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoever's at the top of the Democrat ticket. Bring it on," Vance said.
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Firefighters union on Biden's exit: 'Will forever be in his debt'
The International Association of Fire Fighters, which was the first union to back Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, released a statement on his decision to exit the 2024 race.
"Past, present, and future fire fighters are better off because of Joe Biden," IAFF general president Edward A. Kelly said Sunday.
"For nearly 50 years, he has been a champion of the IAFF. His work has directly led to the hiring of tens of thousands of fire fighters, safety improvements in this most dangerous of jobs, and a nation that is now aware of the toxic threats we face every time we put on our gear," Kelly said.
"And, when a fire fighter makes the ultimate sacrifice, President Biden's work has ensured their families receive the benefits they deserve," Kelly continued.
Kelly called Biden the "greatest President fire fighters and emergency medical workers have ever had."
"Our membership - and the communities we serve - will forever be in his debt," Kelly said.