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President Joe Biden on Sunday announced that he is withdrawing his bid for re-election after weeks of pressure from top Democrats to drop out of the race amid concerns over his cognitive state and his ability to beat Donald Trump in November.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden wrote in a letter to Americans. “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 focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Biden said he would address the country “later this week in more detail.” In a subsequent tweet, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. In a statement Sunday, Harris thanked Biden and said she intends to “earn and win” the nomination.
Calls for Biden to step aside followed his June 27 debate with Trump, in which the 81-year-old president at times seemed confused, tired and unable to articulate his thoughts. Though there had been some reporting in the weeks leading up to the debate that Biden's mental acuity was slipping, the prime-time debate, watched by more than 50 million people, brought the issue center stage.
More than two dozen top Democrats — many of them members of the House — have publicly called on Biden to withdraw.
Biden's performance ignited concerns among Democrats and prompted some prominent party members to urge him to drop out. For weeks, the president refused to exit the race and attempted to control the damage through high-stakes interviews, a news conference at the NATO summit and meetings with governors and congressional lawmakers. But his efforts to reassure voters did little to stem concern at the highest levels of the party.
More than two dozen top Democrats — many of them members of the House — publicly called on Biden to withdraw. Others reportedly expressed concern privately about polling that suggested Trump’s support over Biden was growing.
“I have great respect for President Biden,” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post earlier this month. “He saved our country from a tyrant. He is a man of uncommon decency. He cares deeply about our democracy. He has been one of the best presidents of our time.”
“But I, like folks across the country, am worried about November’s election,” he continued. “The stakes could not be higher. We cannot unsee President Biden’s disastrous debate performance. We cannot ignore or dismiss the valid questions raised since that night. ... For the good of the country, I’m calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race.”
By mid-July, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had privately warned Biden that he was unlikely to beat Trump in November, according to multiple reports.
As Steve Benen noted Sunday, Harris’ nomination isn’t locked in, despite significant support among congressional lawmakers.
Biden has endorsed Harris, and that will carry significant weight. Similarly, a variety of prominent congressional Democrats have also thrown their support behind the vice president. But others in the party have balked at the idea of a “coronation,” and there’s been talk in recent weeks about a possible “mini-primary“ system — what some have referred to as a “blitz” primary — and that conversation is likely to intensify in the coming hours and days.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.