Just two days after announcing he was ready to return to the campaign trail, President Joe Biden stunned his staff and supporters on Sunday by withdrawing from the race.
“Serving as your President has been the greatest honor of my life,” Biden expressed in his official statement.
Biden’s decision came after numerous statements from the White House, and from Biden himself, asserting his intention to continue his campaign and confident claims that he could surpass former President Donald Trump’s reelection efforts. However, these reassurances failed to reduce the growing pressure from fellow Democrats urging him to make way for a stronger candidate.
While recovering from COVID-19, Biden faced increasing calls from his party members to step aside, just 48 hours after declaring his intent to hit the campaign trail again.
The list of Democratic congressional members calling for Biden’s withdrawal grew to at least 40, even including staunch supporters like Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., who publicly urged the 81-year-old president to retire from the race.
Before Biden’s formal announcement, Manchin appeared on ABC’s “This Week” encouraging Biden “to pass the torch to a new generation.” Manchin said, “He will go down with a legacy unlike many people, as one of the finest and truly patriotic Americans. So, with that, I come with a heavy heart to think the time has come for him to pass the torch to a new generation.”
Biden’s decision came shortly after a heart-to-heart talk with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who visited him at his beach home in Rehoboth, Delaware, eight days earlier.
Sources revealed that even Biden’s staff were unaware of his decision until a minute before it was publicly announced, leaving many in his team taken aback.
Vice President Kamala Harris, in a statement released Sunday, did not disclose when she was informed about Biden stepping aside, focusing instead on praising his leadership. “On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as president of the United States and for his decades of service to our country,” Harris said. “His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many presidents who have served two terms in office.”
In a letter to the nation, Biden did not delve into the specific reasons for his decision, stating only, “And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.” He added that he plans to address the nation later this week to explain his decision further.
Just two days before this announcement, Biden seemed firm on his campaign plans. In a statement on Friday, he said, “I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to continue exposing the threat of Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America: one where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone.”
Biden’s younger brother, Frank Biden, told ABC News that the decision was a “close call” after several discussions amongst family members, led by First Lady Jill Biden. “It really boils down to this: it has to do with his overall health and vitality. Not anything cognitive. But he’s a proud guy; it pisses him off that he shuffles when he walks,” Frank Biden shared.
Frank Biden lamented the toll the calls for him to withdraw had taken on the family, saying, “It has been really horrible for the family to see the dogs let loose on him.” He emphasized that President Biden’s main concern has always been the nation’s welfare.
A source close to the Biden family, however, disputed Frank Biden’s account, stating, “He hasn’t spoken to his brother in weeks. What he said about health being a factor in the president’s decision is completely untrue.”
