He gave a rare Oval Office address to the nation, explaining why he dropped out of the 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.
Watch the video player below for the president's full remarks.
Click here for a list of the current Democrats who support her, and a few notable figures who haven't yet.
The president looked back at his accomplishments in office noting that the country was still reeling from the pandemic and bounced back.
He cited the 12 million new jobs created, increasing wages and declining inflation.
"We're literally rebuilding our entire nation, urban, suburban, rural, [and] tribal communities," he said.
career in public service.
"My fellow Americans, it has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years," he said. "Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, one day sit behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office as president of the United States but here I am."
"I give my heart and my soul to my nation, like so many others, but I'm blessed a million times in return for the love and support of the American people," he said. "I hope you have some idea how grateful I am to all of you."
During his address, the president touted Harris's work and encouraged Americans to look at her record during the election.
"Vice president Kamala Harris experienced. She's tough, she's capable she's been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country. now the choice is up to you," he said.
Biden laid out what he wants to focus on for the remainder of his term, including
"I'll continue to lower costs for hardworking families, grow our economy," he said. "I'll keep defending our personal freedoms and our civil rights from the right to vote to the right to choose. I'll keep calling out hate and extremism and make it clear there is no place, no place it's in America for political violence or any violence."
He went on to say he will continue speaking out against gun violence, working on his Cancer Moonshot initiative and calling for reforms to the Supreme Court.
But getting any legislation passed in a pivotal election year will be difficult with a split Congress.
During his speech, the president talked about his reflecting on saving democracy and his bid for a second term.
Ultimately he decided it was in the best interest to end his campaign.
"Nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy, that includes personal ambition. So I've decided the best way forward is the pass the torch to the new generation," he said.
"There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There's also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices and yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now," he added.
