U.S. President Joe Biden will not be seeking re-election this November.
In a statement released this afternoon, Biden says his decision to step aside is in the best interest of the Democratic Party and the country.
Calls for Biden to step aside began to escalate after what has been referred to as a “disastrous” performance in last month’s debate against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
The President’s actions and words have been under a microscope ever since, with concerns over his ability to serve in the role only intensifying after a few notable blunders—including him introducing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” at the NATO Summit earlier this month.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Biden had previously doubled down on his intentions to run for a second term, but reportedly began exploring other options earlier this week.
Biden, who is continuing to recover from COVID-19, will speak on his decision later this week, but has already stated that he will complete the remainder of his term.
It is now unknown who will be on the ballot for the Democrats in the upcoming presidential election, though Biden is throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024