US President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will not seek reelection in November, a decision that has garnered significant praise from Democratic leaders.
Biden, 81, made the announcement via an open letter to the American people, followed by a tweet expressing his full support for his 59-year-old running mate, Kamala Harris. His decision to step aside comes amid mounting pressure from senior party leaders, following a lackluster debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month.
“My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden said in his letter.“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.”
The President’s decision comes just four months before Americans head to the polls on November 5.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised Biden, saying, “Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision, of course, was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American.”
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Throughout his public career, Joe Biden always put country first. His four years as President made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country. Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort.”
Republican Senator Rick Scott, however, criticized Biden’s decision, saying, “Let me be clear, if Joe Biden can’t run for reelection, he is not capable of serving as president for the next six months and needs to resign today. For four years, those closest to Joe Biden, including Kamala Harris, knew he was not fit to be president and lied to the American people to hold onto their power. It was painfully clear that Biden wasn’t competent for office going way back to 2021.”
Scott continued, “While we welcome the news that one of America’s most destructive presidents will be denied a second term, it changes very little as to the stakes of this election. We cannot allow the American dream to be destroyed and replaced with California socialism. Come November, we will defeat the Democrats, elect Donald J. Trump, take back the Senate and the House, and save our country.”
Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race comes amid a visible decline in his health. The President is currently isolating at his Delaware residence after testing positive for Covid-19.