WASHINGTON (CN) — In an Oval Office address on Wednesday evening, President Joe Biden explained his historic decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, arguing that he needed to pass the torch to the next generation for the good of the country.
“I revere this office, but I love my country more,” Biden said.
The president said it was time for new, fresh and younger voices to take up the mantle.
“Nothing could come in the way of saving our democracy,” Biden said. “That includes personal ambition. So I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.”
Biden first announced the end of his candidacy in a letter posted to his social media accounts on Sunday. The decision came while he was recovering from Covid-19 at his Delaware beach house, making Wednesday’s Oval Office remarks the president’s first public appearance since he dropped out of the race.
Biden said he believes this is an inflection point for the nation, where the American public must unite to protect the country’s ideals.
“America is going to have to choose between forward or backward,” Biden said. “Between hope and hate. Between unity and division. We have to decide, do we still believe in honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice and democracy?”
Some Republicans said Biden must resign from the presidency immediately if he is not fit to serve a second term. Biden did not say any health concerns informed his decision.
He made clear, however, that he intended to serve out the last six months of his term and said he would continue his work to lower costs and grow the economy while protecting personal, civil and reproductive rights. Biden also mentioned advocacy efforts around gun violence, climate change and cancer research.
In a reference to the attempted assassination of his rival, Biden said he would make clear that there is no place in America for political violence.
Biden has been reluctant to endorse Supreme Court reforms throughout his term, but he confirmed reporting that he will be calling for changes in the coming months. Previous reporting revealed that Biden will propose term limits, an ethics code and a constitutional amendment to target the justices’ presidential immunity ruling. He did not confirm which reforms would be part of his proposal.
“This is critical to our democracy,” Biden said of Supreme Court reforms.
The president centered his remarks on his hopes for the country, but he gave a nod to his chosen successor.
“I want to thank our vice president, Kamala Harris,” Biden said. “She’s experienced. She’s tough. She’s capable.”
Biden endorsed Harris for the Democratic nomination shortly after removing himself from the ticket. Harris has since garnered endorsements from a broad swath of the party, almost certainly guaranteeing her position at the top of the ticket.
Since announcing her run for the presidency, Harris’ campaign said it raised a record $100 million in donations.