Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race, Endorses Harris as Successor

President Joe Biden has announced he will not seek re-election in 2024, citing his desire to focus solely on fulfilling his duties as President for the remainder of his term. Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party's nominee, praising her work in the administration.

President Joe Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

Biden made the announcement on Sunday, just minutes before he officially endorsed Harris. In a statement, Biden said it has been the "greatest honor of [his] life" to serve as President, but he believes it is in the best interest of the country for him to focus solely on fulfilling his duties for the remainder of his term.

Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race, Endorses Harris as Successor

"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 wrote in a letter posted to Twitter.

Biden thanked Harris for her work in the administration and said she is "the best decision" he has made as President.

Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race, Endorses Harris as Successor

"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. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this," he said.

Harris has not yet publicly commented on Biden's endorsement.

Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race, Endorses Harris as Successor

Biden's decision to drop out of the race comes after months of speculation that he would not seek re-election. The President has faced increasing pressure from within the Democratic Party to step aside, particularly after his disastrous debate performance on June 27.

As early as Sunday morning, Biden allies and the campaign doubled down that the president would not bow out of the race.

Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race, Endorses Harris as Successor

"It is false. And I think that it is false to continue to try to gin up this narrative. Joe Biden has said he is in this race," deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks said on MSNBC on Sunday.

Biden's decision to drop out of the race comes as former President Donald Trump was officially nominated as the Republican Party's choice for president. Trump joined the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, last week, where he announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate and accepted the nomination.

Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race, Endorses Harris as Successor

The RNC was held just two days after an assassination attempt nearly ended Trump's life, leaving him with an injury to his right ear. A shooter opened fire on Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last Saturday, injuring Trump and two others, and killing a 50-year-old married dad who was protecting his wife and family from the gunfire.

Trump addressed the shooting in his highly anticipated RNC speech, while noting "you'll never hear it from me a second time, because it's actually too painful to tell."

"I'm not supposed to be here tonight," he said. "I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God. And watching the reports over the last few days, many people say it was a providential moment. Probably was."

Biden's decision to endorse Harris is seen as a move to ensure continuity within the Democratic Party. Harris is widely considered to be the frontrunner for the party's nomination, and her endorsement by Biden is likely to give her a significant boost in the race.

The Democratic primary race is expected to be competitive, with several other candidates already announcing their intentions to run. The primary will culminate in the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from July 14-17, 2024.

The general election will be held on November 5, 2024.