US President Joe Biden has delivered his first public address since abandons his candidacy for re-electionsaying he withdrew from the race against Republican opponent Donald Trump to unify his party and save the country’s democracy.
The 81-year-old politician struck a somber tone Wednesday as he sat behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office of the White House, announcing that it was “time to pass the torch” to younger voices.
Biden’s decision, announced Sunday, follows weeks of pressure from his key allies within the Democratic Party after his faltering performance against Trump in late June. His withdrawal upended an already unprecedented race and thrust Vice President Kamala Harris is in the spotlight as the Democratic Party’s heir apparent to take on Trump in November.
Here are the main takeaways from Biden’s 11-minute speech:
“Defense of democracy”
Biden did not mention Trump during his speech, but it was clear the Democratic president was referring to the former president when he said the future of the country’s democracy was at stake in the upcoming election.
“I have a high regard for this office, but I love my country even more,” Biden said in the opening minutes of his speech. “It has been the honor of my life to serve as president. But in defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think that is more important than any title.”
The United States is at an “inflection point,” he said, adding that the coming months “will determine the fate of our nation and the world.”
“We must decide whether we still believe in honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice and democracy. In this moment, we can view those with whom we disagree, not as enemies, but as fellow Americans. Can we do that?” he asked.
“Passing the torch”
Biden said his “record as president, our leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future all deserve a second term,” but that he was withdrawing from the presidential race to unite his party and win the November election.
“Nothing can stop us from saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition,” he said. “The great thing about America is that it’s not kings and dictators who rule. It’s the people who rule. History is in your hands. Power is in your hands. The idea of America is in your hands.”
He added that there is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life, but also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now.
“I decided that the best way forward was to pass the torch to a new generation. That’s the best way to unify our nation,” he said.
Praise for Harris
Biden took a moment to thank Harris, whom he endorsed as the Democratic presidential candidate.
“I made my choice,” he said of Harris. “She’s experienced. She’s strong. She’s capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country.”
He said it would be up to the Americans to make their choice in November.
End the war in Gaza
In an apparent rebuttal to Republican calls for his resignation, Biden said he would spend the remainder of his term “focused on my job as president.”
“That means I will continue to cut costs for hardworking families and grow our economy. I will continue to defend our individual freedoms and civil rights – from the right to vote to the right to choose,” he said, outlining some of the themes Harris is expected to build her campaign on.
He added that he would continue to work for Supreme Court reform, mobilize support for Ukraine and end Israel’s war on Gaza.
“I will continue to work to end the war in Gaza, bring all the hostages home, bring peace and security to the Middle East and end this war,” he said.
Biden concluded his speech by describing his time as president as “the privilege of my life.”
“Nowhere on earth would a stuttering child from humble beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, or Claymont, Delaware, ever sit behind the resolute desk in the Oval Office as President of the United States,” he said.
