USA, — President Joe Biden announced Sunday in a letter that he would be dropping his 2024 reelection bid, after weeks of pressure from Democrats to exit the race on the heels of a disastrous debate performance in June.
President Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee for the Democratic Party.
Lawmakers all across the country have reacted to the announcement:
LAWMAKER REACTION THREAD:
Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement, Associated Press posted the following:
Vice President Harris says she’s honored to have Biden’s endorsement and that she intends to “earn and win this nomination.”
She released a statement calling Biden’s decision to end his campaign a “selfless and patriotic act.” She also thanked Biden for his “extraordinary leadership” and argued that his legacy as a one-term president would surpass the records of many chief executives who served two terms in office.
Vice President Harris also posted to X:
You can read her full statement here.
Former President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social:
Former President Barack Obama posted the following:
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted to X:
House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi posted to X:
The Clintons released a statement via Former President Clinton's X:
NC Governor Roy Cooper posted to X:
Senator Chuck Schumer posted to X:
Senator Bernie Sanders posted to X:
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Attorney General and Democratic candidate for NC Governor Josh Stein said in a press release:
“President Biden has put the American people first throughout his historic career — as senator, vice president, and president.
“His vast record of accomplishments include the Violence Against Women Act, historic expansion of healthcare access, record-breaking job growth across the country and in North Carolina, bipartisan infrastructure investments that will strengthen our economy for years to come, and the most consequential clean energy legislation in history.
“President Biden is a true patriot. His decision today exemplifies his commitment to always putting the country before himself. I thank him for his remarkable service to our nation.”\
Lt. Governor and Republican candidate for NC Governor Mark Robinson sent this statement to WFMY News 2:
"If Biden can’t run, he can’t serve. Democrats who like to talk about “protecting democracy” are throwing out the will of their voters because of bad polling. But make no mistake, whether it is Biden or Harris, the horrible policies are the same: Open borders, rampant inflation, and rising crime.
While the Democrat party is imploding, Republicans in North Carolina and across the nation are united behind President Trump to deliver for the American people to make our communities safer, life more affordable, and create opportunities for everyone."
Senator Mark R. Warner said the following in a press release:
“This nation owes Joe Biden a debt of gratitude for putting everything on hold to run in 2020 and taking the reins as President during a particularly turbulent time. He charted a bright path forward for our nation after four tumultuous years under the former administration.
“President Biden has made historic contributions to our nation. His love of country and loyalty to the American people has been unwavering. He will undoubtedly go down in the history books as a true American patriot.
“After all he’s done, I respect President Biden’s difficult decision to step aside in this upcoming election, and I look forward to hearing more from him later this week.
“While there has to be an orderly process and the decision ultimately rests in the hands of the DNC delegates, I believe Vice President Harris has the experience, energy, and resolve to lead our nation.
“This November, we must defeat Donald Trump and his backwards agenda.”
DNC Chair Jamie Harrison said the following in a press release:
“The American people owe President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unparalleled progress he has delivered over the last four years – and we will honor that legacy, and the decision that he has made today, through a firm commitment to nominating and electing a Democratic president this November who will carry that torch into the next four years.
“The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people.
“Democrats are prepared and united in our resolve to win in November. As we move forward to formally select our Party’s nominee, our values as Democrats remain the same – lowering costs, restoring freedom, protecting the rights of all people, and saving our democracy from the threat of dictatorship. We have and will continue to make this case to the American people.
“In short order, the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process."
UK, Germany, Russia and Canada react to Biden, via Associated Press:
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged Russians to “pay attention” and “watch what will happen” in the U.S. election in November now that Biden has withdrawn his candidacy.
Peskov was quoted by Russian pro-Kremlin tabloid Life.ru as saying that “there are still four months until the elections. And this is a long period, during which a lot can change.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Biden a friend and said the president has achieved a lot for the U.S., Europe and the world. Scholz cited a strong NATO and close transatlantic cooperation as examples.
New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who met Biden for the first time just this month, said he knows Biden reached his decision based on what he believes is in the “best interests of the American people.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Biden a “great man” and a “partner to Canadians.”
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