President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race after a growing list of Democratic lawmakers called on him to quit, following last month's disastrous debate performance and a flurry of public missteps, leaving Democrats scrambling to elect a worthy candidate as the party's nominee.
Biden's announcement follows a rough few weeks for the president, who was forced last weewk to cut a campaign event in Las Vegas short, following a COVID-19 diagnosis – the same day California Rep. Adam Schiff also publicly called for him to step aside. Schiff is the most prominent Democrat so far to appeal for Biden to abandon his seemingly dimming campaign.
Similar cries for Biden to pass the torch gained traction last week, a day after he mistakenly referred to Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin," and Vice President Kamala Harris as "Donald Trump" during NATO events in Washington, D.C.
"I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden said in a statement.
"I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision," Biden said on X.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
It was an unprecedented development; no other presidential candidiate in recent history has quit this late in the race.
During a press conference earlier this month, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre vowed Biden would "absolutely not" withdraw from the race, despite dismal feedback and a growing number of calls within the Democratic party for him to step down, following his unimpressive debate against Donald Trump in Atlanta, a week prior.
"He has had the opportunity to talk to supporters," Jean-Pierre told reporters, adding that the president has "talked about how he understands that [the debate] was not his best night and that it is fair for people to ask that question."
"He has the most historic record and administration in modern politics. That should matter and he wants to continue to do that work," she said.
Concerns surrounding Biden's ability to defeat Trump, coupled with his age, health and capacity to carry out the presidential duties for another term have grown louder.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas and Rep. Jared Golden of Maine became the first members of the party in Congress to suggest Biden drop out of the race.
Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as a top contender to replace Biden. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are also being floated as replacements.
