In a speech delivered from the Oval Office on Wednesday night, President Biden presented his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race as a choice to protect the country from the consequences if his party loses the White House in November.
“I respect the office, but I love my country more,” Biden said. “It has been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, there are things more important than any title.”
Here are the key points from Biden’s first speech since withdrawing from the 2024 campaign and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
Biden does not mention Trumpor Harris, by name
While Biden did not mention former President Donald Trump by name, it was clear from his comments that he saw the likelihood of his rival’s victory in November as an invitation to disaster for the nation.
“I have made it clear that I believe America is at a turning point, one of those rare moments in history when the decisions we make now will determine the fate of our nation and the world for decades to come,” Biden said. “America will have to choose between moving forward and going backward. Between hope and hate. Between unity and division. We must decide whether we still believe in fairness and decency, respect and freedom and democracy.”
Biden also did not mention the name of his own vice president, who is now the clear favorite to take on Trump if he is not in the race.
“I have decided that the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation,” Biden said.
Do not resign
Many Republicans have called for Biden to resign as president over his decision not to seek a second term, but the president has made it clear he has no plans to do so.
“Over the next six months, I will focus on my work as president,” Biden said. “That means continuing to lower costs for hardworking families and growing our economy. I will continue to defend our personal freedoms and our civil rights — from the right to vote to the right to choose.”
Biden also pledged to “continue to challenge hate and extremism,” to continue working on his “cancer moonshot,” to reform the Supreme Court, to continue supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia and to push for an end to the fighting in Gaza.
Stumbled over a few words
As Biden, 81, read his speech through a teleprompter, he occasionally stumbled over his words.
“At this point, we can see those we disagree with not as enemies, but as fellow Americans. Can we do that?” he said at one point.
His performance was at times reminiscent of his much-criticized debate performance in late June, which caused consternation among Democrats as they questioned whether he was still fit to run for a second term.
“You know, we’ve come so far since I was inaugurated,” Biden said, reflecting on his time as president. “I said on that day that while I was standing in the winter, I was standing in a winter of danger and a winter of opportunity. Danger and opportunity. We’re in the grip of the — we were in the grip of the worst pandemic in a century.”
Biden’s Legacy
Biden also focused on the president’s legacy in his speech.
“Four years ago, I ran for president because I believed, and I still believe, that the soul of America was at stake, that the very nature of who we are was at stake, and that remains true today,” he said.
But the president also listed what he saw as some of his most significant accomplishments, including signing legislation on toxic burn pits to help American soldiers, passing the “first major gun safety law in 30 years,” overseeing a decline in violent crime, nominating the first Black woman to the Supreme Court and helping pass the nation’s “most important climate bill.”
“I have given my heart and soul to our nation, and like so many others, I have been blessed a million times over in return for the love and support of the American people,” Biden said. “I hope you have any idea how grateful I am, to all of you.”
