President Joe Biden has finally announced his withdrawal from seeking a second term as the president of the United States (US).
The 82-year-old president of the biggest democracy in the world announced his withdrawal in a statement he personally signed and dated 21 July, 2024.
Recall that Biden became the 46th president of the US after defeating the then incumbent President Donald Trump to become the president in 2020.
President Biden did not state the reason for his stepping down from his much-touted desire to seek a re-election.
He did not categorically endorse his deputy, Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidential election. Biden, however, declared that he would seek to finish the remainder of his first term of office.
Biden also stated that he was stepping down in line with the wish of his political party, the Democratic Party.
He, however, did not fail to announce the achievements of his party under his administration.
The incumbent US President thanked Americans for giving him the opportunity to serve them. He added that he would speak to them later in the week for more detail about his decision.
Biden stated in the statement thus:
“My Fellow Americans,
“Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
“Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.
“We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
“I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
“We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President.
“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.
“I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
“For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected.
“I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work.
“And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
“I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”
