President Biden has officially announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, stating he wanted to prevent any distractions in a pivotal election that could shape the future of the country for years to come.
In his first interview since the announcement, Biden emphasized his primary focus is to ensure that former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, does not win in November. Polls from earlier in the summer indicated a tight race between the two candidates.
Biden expressed, “Although it was a great honor being president, I believe I have an obligation to the country to ensure we defeat Trump.” He further underscored the importance of maintaining democracy as a critical issue for him.
The former president’s decision comes in light of increasing pressure from some Congressional Democrats, who feared his presence on the ticket could negatively impact election prospects. He noted, “I thought it would be a real distraction,” reinforcing his commitment to party unity.
Despite a tightly contested atmosphere illustrated by recent polling, Biden acknowledged that his performance in a June debate raised concerns among Democrats, leading to heightened urgency for his withdrawal. “The critical issue for me still is — not a joke — maintaining this democracy,” Biden added.
Following his exit from the race, Biden endorsed Vice President Harris, who has since become the official Democratic nominee. However, he voiced apprehension about the upcoming election and potential unrest similar to the January 6 Capitol attack, stating, “If Trump loses, I’m not confident at all” about a smooth transition of power should Harris prevail.
