Overview
President Joe Biden announced that he will finish the remainder of his term but will not seek re-election in 2024, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. The decision has sparked a range of reactions, with some Republicans calling for his immediate resignation.
Why It Matters
Biden’s decision underscores significant concerns about his leadership and the future direction of the Democratic Party, affecting voter confidence and national politics.
Who It Impacts
This announcement impacts Democratic voters, Republican critics, and the broader American electorate as the nation prepares for the upcoming presidential election.
President Joe Biden will complete his current term, the White House confirmed on Sunday, following his unexpected announcement that he would not seek re-election in 2024. “He looks forward to finishing his term and delivering more historic results for the American people,” stated White House spokesman Andrew Bates.
Bates highlighted Biden’s achievements, including strong economic growth and the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He outlined the president’s agenda for the remaining months of his term, focusing on lowering costs, creating jobs, and protecting Social Security. “And he’ll keep fighting to protect Americans’ freedoms from radical abortion bans and attacks on the rule of law,” Bates added.
On July 21, President Biden revealed on social media that he was stepping out of the 2024 race, citing the best interests of his party and the nation. He emphasized his commitment to his presidential duties for the remainder of his term and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
The announcement prompted immediate reactions from Republican lawmakers. House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) demanded Biden’s resignation, stating, “If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately.” Others, like Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), suggested invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Biden from office. Mace announced plans to introduce a resolution to that effect, arguing, “If Joe Biden does not have the cognitive ability to seek re-election, he does not have the cognitive ability to serve the remainder of his term.”
The 25th Amendment provides a mechanism for the vice president and a majority of cabinet members to declare the president unable to perform his duties, thus making the vice president the acting president. Despite these calls, some lawmakers, including Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), advocated for Biden to remain in office. During a CNN appearance, Manchin expressed his hope that Biden would use the remaining months to unify the country and focus on global peace efforts.
According to the White House press office, President Biden has no public events scheduled between July 22 and July 28, with his next known engagement being his daily briefing on Monday morning. This period of low public visibility raises questions about the administration’s strategy and Biden’s plans for the concluding months of his presidency.
As the political landscape shifts, Biden’s decision to endorse Harris places significant pressure on her to unify the Democratic Party and present a strong challenge to the Republican nominee in the upcoming election. The reactions from both sides of the political spectrum reflect the deep divisions and high stakes involved as the nation heads towards 2024.
