US President Joe Biden is heeding calls to withdraw his candidacy for reelection, steering this year’s already exciting White House campaign into uncertain territory. Sunday’s announcement by the oldest sitting president in US history came amid growing pressure from Democrats, with more than 30 lawmakers publicly calling for him to step down.
Biden In his statement says, “Serving you as your President has been the greatest honor of my life. While it was my intention to run for reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country that I step down and devote the remainder of my term to fulfilling the duties of my presidency,”
In his initial statement, he did not endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, but hinted at his support a few minutes later. Harris, 59, would be the first Black woman in the country’s history to lead a major political party.
Biden’s historic move becoming the first sitting president since President Lyndon Johnson in March 1968 to withdraw his party’s nomination for reelection gave his successor less than four months to run for office.
