By: Isabelle Wang
On Sunday, July 21, 2024, President Biden dropped out of the presidential race for a second term due to pressure from Democrats regarding his cognitive and physical decline. While he will not seek reelection, Biden chose to finish his current term as president, which ends on January 20, 2025. Due to Biden’s decision, the election outcomes and the future of this country will change.
Although out of the campaign himself, he publicly endorsed his current vice president, Kamala Harris, in his tweet on X. Biden stated, “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 decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.” While Democratic delegates still must officially confirm Harris as their nominee next month, Biden’s endorsement almost guarantees a nomination for Harris, putting her in a strong position to secure it. The transition from Biden to Harris has led to a change in leadership in the Democratic party. The public’s view of the Democratic Party might change based on Harris’s approach to leadership compared to Biden’s. This could in turn affect the party’s image and election strategy.
The president stated that he would speak to the nation about his decision and provide more details, but it is unclear when he will do so. Currently, President Biden is recovering from Covid in his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Officials have revealed that Biden began making this decision on Saturday while in Delaware with family. Biden was assisted in this decision by three of his aides: Steve Ricchetti, his counselor, Annie Tomasini, his deputy chief of staff, and Anthony Bernal, the chief of staff to Jill Biden. One official said that Biden’s longtime adviser and close confidant, Mike Donilon came to Rehoboth for a discussion. Biden decided to write a letter with the help of Donilon instead of recording an announcement due to his illness.
On Sunday morning, Biden’s decision was finalized, and he called Harris, Jeffrey D. Zients, the White House chief of staff, and Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, his campaign chair. At 1:45 P.M, he called senior White House and campaign officials to inform them of his decision. By 1:46 P.M., Biden had sent out the letter.
While some Democrats want an open competition, Harris is a strongly supported candidate. Many potential candidates dropped out, leaving only Harris to claim the position. Governor Gavin Newsom of California, who had previously been a potential candidate, instead endorsed her. A friend of Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan implied that she wouldn’t run. As of Sunday, July 21, 2024, no other candidate has announced plans to join the party’s nomination process. Many Democrats endorsed Harris, including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Former President Barack Obama and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who privately had concerns about Biden’s chances, did not publicly endorse Harris, though they did not offer alternatives.
In her own statement, Ms. Harris praised Mr. Biden for his accomplishments and his decision, calling it selfless and patriotic. She also addressed critics who argued against her receiving a nomination. “I am honored to have the president’s endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” she said. She added: “I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.”
Former President Donald Trump responded to Biden’s announcement with a scornful statement on social media: “Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President and is certainly not fit to serve — And never was!” Many Republicans are continuing to support Trump and demand that Biden resign immediately.