Biden Announces Surprising Decision Not to Seek Second Term, Urges New Leadership

WASHINGTON — In a landmark prime-time address from the Oval Office on Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced his decision to refrain from seeking reelection, citing the importance of passing power to a new generation.

“America is at an inflection point,” Biden stated. “The decisions we make now will shape our nation and the world for decades. We must choose between moving forward or backward, hope or hate, unity or division.”

The 11-minute address marked Biden’s first in-depth televised commentary since his Sunday announcement withdrawing from the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee race. He intends to serve out his current term.

Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who has already secured enough delegate support to claim the party’s nomination in an upcoming virtual roll call vote scheduled for early August.

Earlier this week, Biden called into a campaign rally but had refrained from extensive public remarks since announcing his decision. This decision followed mounting concerns about his age and cognitive abilities after his performance during the first presidential debate on June 27.

Addressing Americans, Biden reflected on his belief in his record and vision: “My record and leadership merits a second term. But saving our democracy is paramount, and nothing, including personal ambition, should obstruct that.”

Biden emphasized the need for younger voices in leadership: “While experience matters, now is the time for younger voices to take charge.”

During his remaining six months, Biden plans to prioritize key issues. He aims to push forward on gun control, reproductive rights, voting rights, and ending all forms of violence, including political violence.

He also intends to work towards ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7. Additionally, he emphasized the need for changes to the Supreme Court to safeguard democracy.

Biden recounted his achievements, highlighting new laws enacted and efforts to maintain NATO unity following Russia’s Ukraine invasion. He expressed gratitude for his decades in public service.

“I ran for president because I believed—and still do—that America’s soul was at stake,” Biden reflected. He expressed confidence in Harris’s ability to lead the nation post-November elections.

“In America, the people, not kings or dictators, hold power,” Biden asserted. “History and the power to shape our nation lies in your hands. We must keep the faith and remember who we are.”