President Joe Biden spent just over three weeks publicly and privately insisting he would remain in the 2024 presidential race. However, when he ultimately decided to withdraw, most of his staff only found out a minute before the rest of America.
In his first public announcement on Monday, the president spoke to staff at what used to be his campaign headquarters, now Vice President Kamala Harris’, in Wilmington, Delaware. He described his decision to step down from the 2024 presidential election and endorse Harris as the “right decision,” and vowed to support her during the remainder of his presidency — both at the White House and beyond.
“The name on top of the ticket may have changed, but the mission remains the same,” President Biden stated. “And just so you know, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be out there campaigning with her, with Kamala. I’ll be working tirelessly, both as president passing legislation and in the campaign.”
President Biden encouraged staff members, who have now shifted their focus to the Harris campaign, to “embrace her.” Despite acknowledging that his announcement may be difficult for them, he argued that it was the right move, emphasizing the remarkable accomplishments achieved during his administration.
Throughout the weeks leading up to his decision, President Biden and his campaign worked to regain confidence in his path to re-election, despite calls from Democratic lawmakers and donors for him to step aside following a lackluster debate performance against former president Donald Trump.
President Biden remained resolute in his determination to move forward. Even when asked if he would reconsider his decision to stay in the race if data showed Harris would fare better against Trump, he firmly replied that he would not unless advised otherwise.
Scripps News Correspondent Haley Bull asks President Biden the final question at news conference
As Republicans presented a united front at their convention following an attempted assassination against Trump, doubts from within his own party began to surface, despite reassurances from campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon that President Biden was unwavering.
However, as he remained in Delaware with senior advisors, President Biden reflected on his decision and reached a final conclusion, notifying key individuals before publicly announcing his withdrawal and endorsing Harris.
Chief of Staff Jeff Zients held calls with senior staff and cabinet members, affirming the campaign’s focus on Harris, while campaign leaders reiterated their commitment to moving forward. Harris, meanwhile, received endorsements from numerous Democratic governors and lawmakers, positioning her as a strong contender for the party’s nomination.
Procedurally, Democrats swiftly moved to secure the nomination for Harris, with state delegations endorsing her and delegates expected to finalize the nomination in early August. Despite the unexpected turn of events, support for Harris continued to grow, particularly in terms of fundraising and endorsements.
As Harris embarks on her campaign trail, President Biden plans to return to the White House, reaffirming his commitment to working alongside his team. Despite the challenges and changes, the Democratic Party remains focused on the goal of defeating Trump in the upcoming election.
