On Wednesday, President Biden delivered a roughly 10-minute national address from the Oval Office, marking the end of his 50-plus years in politics. He explained to Americans why he suddenly withdrew from the 2024 presidential race, stating that he decided to “pass the torch to a new generation.”
Biden, 81, had performed poorly in the presidential debate on June 27. For weeks, he had been rejecting calls from Democratic party members to withdraw.
“I respect this office, but I love my country more,” Biden explained his reason for withdrawing. “I have decided that the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. This is the best way to unite our country.”
He emphasized that it is now time for “fresh voices” and “younger voices” to step onto the political stage.
During his speech, he also stressed that this year’s U.S. election is “one of the rare moments in history, and the decisions we make now will determine the fate of our country and the world for decades to come.”
“We must choose between hope and hate, unity and division, moving forward or backward,” he said. “We must decide whether we still believe in honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice, and democracy.”
Biden also stated that he has a busy to-do list for the last six months of his term. He is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday to discuss the Gaza ceasefire.
He pledged to continue defending personal freedoms and lowering the cost of living for families, pushing for Supreme Court reforms, seeking to protect children from gun violence, and working to end cancer as we know it.
“I will continue to work to ensure that America remains strong, secure, and leads the entire free world,” Biden promised. He vowed to continue deterring Russian aggression in Ukraine, making NATO stronger and more united, and joining forces with Indo-Pacific allies to push back against China.
Biden made this decision after days of reflection and careful consideration of internal polls. These polls predicted that he might lose to Republican opponent Trump in November and drag down Democratic colleagues in congressional elections.
“The greatness of America lies in the fact that there are no kings or dictators here. The rulers are the people. History is in your hands. Power is in your hands,” Biden said. “The ideals of America are in your hands.”
Since taking office in 2021, this marked the fourth time Biden had given a speech from the Oval Office.
He last spoke from the Oval Office on July 15, urging Americans to cool political rhetoric and maintain unity after the attempted assassination of Trump.
Biden’s political career began in 1972 when he was 29 years old and elected as a senator, becoming the sixth youngest senator in U.S. history. He will end his presidency on January 20, 2025, at the age of 82, becoming the oldest president in U.S. history.
On Wednesday evening, First Lady Jill Biden and other family members, including his son Hunter, accompanied Biden in the Oval Office to deliver the speech.
“Defending democracy is more important than any title,” Biden said. “I found strength and happiness in serving the American people.”
He expressed gratitude for being able to serve as president, acknowledging that in other countries a child with a stutter would never have the opportunity to sit in the Oval Office as an adult.
“My fellow Americans, this has been the honor of my lifetime,” he said.
He urged Americans to “keep the faith” because “the ideals of America are in your hands.”