President Joe Biden broke his silence on Monday as Vice President Kamala Harris visited what had been the Biden-Harris campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.
The president called a meeting with his campaign staff and said he believed he had made the right decision after dramatically dropping out of the race on Sunday, passing the baton to his vice president.
He told Harris, “I’ve got my eye on you, kid,” as he pledged to stay involved in the re-election fight and said he would continue campaigning.
“I know yesterday’s news is surprising and difficult for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do,” the 81-year-old president said.
“I know it’s hard because you put your heart and soul into me to help us win this, help me get this nomination, help me win the nomination and then win the presidency,” he continued.
There were already signs that the campaign had moved forward, with signs saying Posters reading “Harris for President,” “Kamala,” and “Restore Roe” hung on the office walls.
Vice President Kamala Harris visits what had been the Biden-Harris campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday
There was one wall in the Delaware office that remained covered with posters bearing the “Biden-Harris” logo.
Biden’s campaign staff was blindsided by the news that he was dropping out of the 2024 race, and learned of it through Sunday’s X-mail, like the rest of the American people.
“No one was aware of it before the tweet was posted,” a campaign source told DailyMail.com on Sunday. “Which to me is an absurd way to treat the 1,300 people who work for you,” the source added.
At 5 p.m. Sunday, in an all-staff call, Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon assured aides that their jobs would remain.
He also acknowledged that it was “difficult for staff who may have received the news while working or knocking on doors,” but that it was “important” that they hear the president “in his own words.”
Shortly after Biden posted the letter saying he was withdrawing from the race, he said in a follow-up post on X that he supported Harris to take his place as the Democratic nominee.