President Joe Biden, in an address to the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening, announced his decision to step down from the 2024 presidential race. He framed this choice as a crucial step to protect democracy and to hand over “the torch to a new generation.”
In a heartfelt speech marking the onset of the final chapter of his presidency and his extensive public service career spanning half a century, Biden expressed that unifying the party required him to forgo personal ambitions for a greater cause.
“I have immense respect for this office, but my love for this country is even greater,” the president declared.
“It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But defending democracy, which is under threat and is more important than any title, is my priority. I gain strength and find joy in serving the American people,” he stated.
Without directly mentioning Donald Trump, Biden aimed to highlight the contrast between himself and the former president, who falsely claimed victory in the last election.
“The beauty of America is that it’s governed by the people, not kings or dictators,” Biden said. “History and the idea of America rest in your hands.”
“In recent weeks, it’s become evident to me that I need to unite my party for this critical mission. I believe my record as president, my global leadership, and my vision for America’s future warranted a second term,” Biden said. “But nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy, including personal ambition. Therefore, I’ve decided the best path forward is to pass the torch to a new generation to unite our nation.”
This speech was his first extensive public statement since his announcement on Sunday that he would not seek re-election. It was also his first appearance since testing positive for Covid-19 last week.
During his 11-minute speech, Biden sought to outline the legacy of his presidency, celebrating his first-term achievements while looking ahead to the goals he hopes to accomplish in his remaining time, including Supreme Court reform, ending the conflict in Gaza, upholding American alliances, and advancing his cancer-ending initiative.
He also praised his vice president, who will now lead the ticket.
Harris, Biden said, is “experienced, tough, capable, and has been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country.”
“Now, the choice is yours, the American people,” he added.
Historically, Oval Office addresses are serious moments when presidents speak to the nation during times of crisis or to make significant policy announcements. This was only the fourth time Biden has addressed the nation from the Oval Office as president, and the second time in 10 days, following his earlier remarks on the assassination attempt against Trump. He has also used this setting to speak about Hamas’ attack on Israel last year and to celebrate the passage of a bipartisan budget agreement.
Biden, who returned to the White House on Tuesday after testing negative for Covid-19, began preparing his anticipated address while isolating with the virus in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, according to senior officials.
The president, along with his long-time communications aide, Mike Donilon, started working on the speech shortly after Biden publicly announced his decision to exit the race, following three weeks of increasing intraparty pressure. Donilon, a former pollster, played a key role in presenting the data that influenced Biden’s decision to step aside.
Historian Jon Meacham also assisted with speechwriting.
Harris, having quickly secured enough delegates to win the Democratic nomination, began her campaign on Tuesday in the key battleground state of Wisconsin, contrasting herself with Trump. She attended a sorority event in Indianapolis on Wednesday and then traveled to Houston, where she watched Biden’s address.
A new CNN poll shows voters widely support both Biden’s decision to step aside and his choice to remain in office until the end of his term. However, Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters are nearly evenly split on whether the next nominee should continue Biden’s policies (53%) or take the country in a new direction (47%). The desire for a new direction is mainly concentrated among younger voters and voters of color.
In the coming days and weeks, Biden is expected to focus on the legacy of his presidency. However, discussions on this topic have not begun in earnest, according to a source.
On Wednesday, he took a moment to reflect on his uniquely American life story.
“It has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years. Nowhere else could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as president of the United States.”
“Here I am,” he added. “That’s what makes America special.”
The president then walked out to the Rose Garden, where he addressed hundreds of White House staffers who had gathered to see him and share ice cream.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
