U.S. President Biden exits the 2024 presidential race

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U.S. President Joe Biden decided to end his reelection campaign, he said in a statement released on Sunday, July 21. He had faced mounting pressure to step aside following a dismal debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27.

"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," he wrote on social media. "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."

In a subsequent post, Biden offered his “full support and endorsement” for Vice President, Kamala D. Harris, to replace him at the top of the Democratic Party ticket.

Biden’s exit from the presidential campaign marks the end of a half century political career that began in 1972, when he became the youngest person to be elected senator. In 2022, he became the nation’s oldest sitting president.

His decision to step aside has cleared the way for Democrats to pick a replacement. The new nominee will be elected by majority vote at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, August 19-22.