President Biden has announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. The decision comes amid mounting pressure from both Democrats and Republicans, who have questioned Biden's fitness for office.
President Joe Biden has announced that he will not seek re-election in the 2024 presidential race and has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee.
The decision, announced in a public letter released on Sunday, follows months of speculation and scrutiny over Biden's age and mental fitness for office. The president, who is 81 years old, has faced criticism for his performance in public appearances and debates, leading to concerns about his ability to handle the rigors of a campaign and the demands of a second term.
Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race, Endorses Harris as Democratic Nominee
Biden's announcement marks a significant turning point in the upcoming presidential race and sets the stage for a competitive primary contest among potential Democratic candidates, including Harris.
The news has also sparked immediate reactions from Republicans, who have long questioned Biden's fitness for office. Several Republican lawmakers have called on Biden to resign from his position as president, arguing that his withdrawal from the race is an admission of his inability to fulfill the duties of the presidency.
Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race, Endorses Harris as Democratic Nominee
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was among the first to issue a statement demanding Biden's resignation. "If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President," Johnson said. "He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough."
Other Republican lawmakers, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), and Republican Study Committee Chair Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), have echoed Johnson's call for Biden to step down.
Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race, Endorses Harris as Democratic Nominee
The calls for resignation have intensificed since Biden's disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump in June 2024. The debate raised concerns among Democrats and Republicans alike about Biden's mental sharpness and ability to handle the pressures of the presidency.
Democratic lawmakers who have previously called on Biden to drop out of the race have insisted that they have confidence in his ability to finish his current term, which ends in January 2025. However, they have also acknowledged the need to focus on selecting a strong candidate to challenge Trump or other potential Republican nominees in 2024.
Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race, Endorses Harris as Democratic Nominee
With Biden's withdrawal from the race, the Democratic primary field is now wide open. Harris is considered a strong contender, but she will likely face competition from other potential candidates, including Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The Republican primary race is also shaping up to be competitive, with Trump emerging as the early frontrunner but facing potential challenges from other candidates such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence.
The 2024 presidential election is set to be one of the most closely watched in recent history, with both sides seeking to gain control of the White House. Biden's withdrawal from the race has added an element of uncertainty to the Democratic primary and sets the stage for a heated battle between Republicans and Democrats in the general election.
