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.
First lady Jill Biden released a statement on X after the speech saying that her "heart is full of gratitude."
"Thank you for the trust you put in Joe-now it's time to put that trust in Kamala. Love, Jill," she said.
After the president concluded at 8:12 p.m., he was applauded by staff and family gathered in the Oval Office for about 60 seconds.
First lady Jill Biden and several of the president's grandchildren sat in chairs positioned along the wall to the president's left.
Ashley Biden, the president's daughter, sat next to her mother, with her eyes closed, taking several deep breaths during the first few minutes of the address.
The first lady held Ashley Biden's hand towards the end.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt watched from a monitor set up in the back of the room. The president's top advisers, Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti, were also at the White House to observe the moment.
House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries responded to Biden's speech in a statement on X saying the president "has run a great race and left our country a better place."
"He passed the torch to all of us. It is now our responsibility to save American democracy," he said.
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.
