US President Joe Biden, in his address from the Oval Office, announced his decision to end his campaign for a second term, expressing his belief that while he has done well in his tenure, it is time for new leadership.
“I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That’s the best way to unite our nation. There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices, and that time and place is now,” President Biden stated.
Biden’s Commitment
Biden emphasized his commitment to his priorities during his remaining six months in office and revealed a significant new focus: pursuing reforms to the Supreme Court.
Throughout Biden’s term, the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority has issued rulings that have sparked significant controversy and opposition from Democrats. Notably, the 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade and the recent ruling granting partial immunity to former President Donald Trump from federal charges related to the 2020 election have been particularly contentious.
“I’m going to call for Supreme Court reform because this is critical to our democracy,” Biden asserted.
Biden on Kamala Harris
In his address, Biden reiterated his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, expressing confidence in her ability to lead. “I would like to thank our great vice-president, Kamala Harris. She’s experienced, she’s tough, and she’s capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country. Now the choice is up to you, the American people.”
Biden On Trump
He also took the opportunity, while concluding his speech, to reiterate the threat that he believes former President Donald Trump poses to the democracy of the United States. He asserted that the choice of president was up to the people of America.
He then cited a remark that was previously made by founding father Benjamin Franklin to reaffirm that he believed that the fate of the US system of government was hanging in the balance.
He said, “When Ben Franklin was asked, as he emerged from the convention going on, whether the founders have given America a monarchy or a Republic, Franklin’s response was: a republic, if you can keep it … whether we keep our republic, is now in your hands.”
