Biden, 81, faced weeks of pressure. Democrats wanted him to step down. After a bad debate on June 27, they insisted. But Joe said only the “Lord Almighty” could change his mind.
“I have decided to pass the torch. It is the best way to unite our nation,” Joe said.
Biden thought a lot before deciding. He worried about polls that said he might lose to Trump. He did not want to hurt other Democrats.
“In America, kings and dictators do not rule. The people do. History is in your hands. Power is in your hands. The idea of America is in your hands,” Joe said.
This was Biden’s first long speech since he gave in to pressure. He announced on social media that he would not run for reelection on November 5.
Joe is the first president since 1968 to not seek reelection. Lyndon Johnson also did not run again because of the Vietnam War.
Joe joins other presidents like James Polk and Harry Truman who did not run for a second term.
Biden’s debate against Trump went badly. People worried about his mental sharpness.
Biden to Exit White House as Oldest US President in History
After Joe stepped aside, Democrats supported him. They praised his character and his record as president.
Staff gathered in the White House to watch his speech. An official said there was a party to watch Biden’s address.
The White House denied that Joe has any mental problems. But he had made more verbal slip-ups lately.
Biden said he will focus on his job for his last six months in office. He plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to discuss a Gaza ceasefire.
This was the fourth time Joe used the Oval Office for a speech since 2021. His last Oval Office speech was on July 15. He asked Americans to calm down after an attempt to kill Trump.
Biden started his political career in 1972. He was elected to the Senate at age 29. He became the sixth youngest US senator. He will end his White House time on January 20, 2025. He will be the oldest American president then, at age 82.
“Defending democracy is more important than any title,” Joe said. “I find joy in working for the American people. This task is not about me. It’s about you. Your families. Your futures. It’s about ‘We the People.’”
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