Four key points from Biden's speech on leaving the race and 'passing the torch to a new generation'

On the evening of July 24, US President Joe Biden, in a speech from the Oval Office, said that his decision withdraw from the 2024 presidential race motivated by a desire to protect the country from the consequences of Trump's victory in November, reports Yahoo.

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“I respect this high office, but most of all I love my country,” Biden said. “It has been an honor to serve you as president, but there are things more important than any title in defending a democracy that is now under threat.”

Here are key moments from Biden's first speech since exiting the 2024 campaign and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

Biden didn't mention Trump's name

Although Biden did not mention Donald Trump by name, his remarks made it clear that he views the prospect of his rival winning in November as a disaster for the country.

On the subject: Biden withdrew from the election: who will replace him and what will happen next

“I believe America is at an inflection point, one of those rare times in history when the decisions we make now will determine the fate of our nation and the world for decades to come,” Biden said. “America has to choose between moving forward or moving backward.” Between hope and hate. Between unity and division. We have to decide whether we believe in honesty, integrity, respect, freedom and democracy.”

In addition, Biden refrained from mentioning the vice president, who is now the most likely candidate to lead the Democratic presidential campaign.

“I decided that the best way for me was to pass the baton to a new generation. This is the best way to unite our nation,” he said.

Reluctance to resign

Many Republicans have called for Biden to resign as president in light of his decision not to seek reelection. But the president has made it clear that he does not intend to do this.

“Over the next six months, I will focus on fulfilling my responsibilities as president,” Biden said. “This means I will continue to lower costs for hardworking families and grow our economy.” I will continue to defend our personal freedoms and civil rights - from the right to vote to the right to choose.”

The 46th president vowed to “continue to condemn hate and extremism,” work on his cancer initiative, reform the Supreme Court, and support Ukraine in its war with Russia and an end to fighting in Gaza.

Reservations in speech

As Biden, 81, read his speech from a teleprompter, he sometimes misspoke.

“In this moment, we can see those we disagree with not as enemies, but as fellow citizens—can we do that?” - he said at some point, as if he himself was not sure whether we could or not.

His speech was choppy and hesitant at times. After Biden's widely criticized performance at the June 27 debate, Democrats questioning whether he was still willing to seek a second term launched a pressure campaign against the president that ultimately led to his withdrawal from the race.

“You know, we've come a lot since my inauguration,” Biden said. “I said that day that, standing in the cold, I was in the middle of a winter of danger and a winter of opportunity. Dangers and opportunities. We were in the grip of the worst pandemic of the century.”

Biden's legacy

The 46th president's speech expressed interest in how he will be remembered.

“Four years ago, I ran for president because I believed, and still believe, that the soul of America was at stake. The very nature of who we are was under threat, and it still is,” he admitted.

Biden listed what he considers his most important achievements. The list included several laws, such as toxic burn pits to help American soldiers. (For reference, toxic burn pits were used on military bases in places like Iraq and Afghanistan to dispose of various types of waste, including plastic, medical waste and chemicals. The smoke from these pits contained harmful substances that caused various illnesses in military personnel.)

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Biden's accomplishments include passing "the first major gun safety law in 30 years," reducing violent crime, appointing the first black woman to the Supreme Court and helping pass "the most significant climate law ever."

“I, like so many of us, gave my heart and soul to our nation, and the American people have thanked me a million times over with their love and support,” the current president concluded. “I hope you have some idea of ​​how grateful I am to you all.”

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