President Joe Biden’s family and longtime loyal staff wept as he addressed the nation about his decision to drop out of the 2024 campaign.
Biden was surrounded by loved ones and those who helped forge his political career as he spoke from the Oval Office. They applauded when he finished his 11-minute speech, but also wiped away tears.
First lady Jill Biden, his wife of 47 years, was the first to be at his side after he finished. She joined him at the Resolute Desk followed by their son Hunter, who gave his father a hug. Hunter’s daughter Finnegan and the Bidens’ daughter Ashley also hugged the president, and Finnegan wiped away tears as she walked away from her grandfather.
Ashley’s husband, Howard Kerin, was also in attendance, as were other Biden grandchildren, including Naomi Biden Neal and her husband Peter Neal, younger Hunter Biden (son of the late Beau Biden) and Maisy Biden.
Among the staff in the room were Mike Donilon, a longtime Biden aide who has been there since the beginning of his political career; press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Biden’s deputy chief of staff, Annie Tomasini.
“This has been the honor of my life,” the president told them.
The crew then joined the rest of the staff in the Rose Garden, where ice cream, the president’s favorite treat, was served.
‘Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher’ – one of Biden’s campaign songs – was playing.
Hunter Biden reaches out to hug his father Joe Biden as Jill Biden applauds him for his speech
Ashley Biden hugs her father Joe Biden as Finnegan Biden wipes away tears
In his speech, Biden outlined his reasons for withdrawing from the 2024 election campaignHe campaigned arguing that he could serve another four years if he so desired.
He said he chose to “pass the torch” to Vice President Kamala Harris because he believed it would unite the country and save democracy.
“I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world and my vision for America’s future merited a second term,” he said in a prime-time address from the Oval Office.
“But nothing, absolutely nothing, can stand in the way of saving our democracy, including personal ambition. That’s why I decided that the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.”
“There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There is also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices. Yes, younger voices,” he said.
One thing he didn’t address was his own health. Biden, 81, has just recovered from a bout of COVID, but it was his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, where he was left speechless and at times staring blankly, that led several Democrats to call for him to drop out of the presidential race.
Biden faltered a bit as he spoke, mumbling at times and speaking softly, but he used his speech to summarize his legacy, explain his reasons for dropping out of the presidential race and note that he has more work to do in his remaining six months in office.
From right to left: Jill Biden, Ashley Biden and her husband Howard Kerin, and Hunter Biden and his daughter Finnegan listen to Joe Biden speak.
White House staff gathered in the Rose Garden to cheer the president after his speech.
Hunter Biden gives his dad a hug
President Biden addresses staff in the Rose Garden following his Oval Office address
He said he revered his position but loved his country more.
“I revere this office, but I love my country more,” the president said.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but I believe that the defense of democracy, which is at stake, is more important than a title.”
Biden made clear that he stepped down voluntarily, a stark contrast to his predecessor. He did not mention Donald Trump by name, but his meaning was clear when he said the country is more important than the Oval Office.
Trump sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election and remain in power, later facing state and federal charges for his actions.
“America is an idea, an idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator,” Biden said.
As the president spoke, his staff was gathered one floor above, on the State Floor of the White House, to watch his remarks over wine and pizza.
Before the speech began, staff were seen walking from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is across the street from the West Wing, toward the White House for the event.
Biden’s decision to step down shocked the political world and brought to an end more than 50 years in politics.
He endorsed Harris as his candidate and gave her his campaign infrastructure. The campaign changed its name to “Harris for President.”
Within 30 hours, Harris secured enough delegate pledges to win the presidential nomination.
In his speech Wednesday night, Biden did not explicitly endorse Harris but noted that she had “made my views known.”
“I made my decision. I expressed my views. I would like to thank our great Vice President Kamala Harris. She is experienced. She is strong. She is capable. She has been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country.”
“Now the choice is up to you, the American people,” he said, referring to the upcoming elections.
Hunter Biden, his daughter Finnegan, Howard Kerin, Ashley Biden and Jill Biden in the Oval Office
President Joe Biden pauses before addressing the nation from the Oval Office
Jill Biden joined Joe Biden at the Resolute Desk as he finished his speech.
White House staff watched the speech from the State Floor of the White House.
Delegates will nominate their candidacy virtually between August 1 and 7 before the Democratic National Convention, which begins on August 19 in Chicago.
The president returned to the White House on Tuesday after spending six days in isolation at his home in Rehoboth Beach, where he was suffering from COVID.
He has canceled a West Coast fundraising event scheduled for later this week.
He will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday.
He spent weeks fending off pressure from members of his party to step down as a candidate. On Sunday, he caved in to the inevitable.
Biden is the first sitting president not to seek re-election since 1968, when Lyndon Johnson, criticized for his handling of the Vietnam War, abruptly withdrew from the campaign on March 31.
The president also joins James K. Polk, James Buchanan, Rutherford B. Hayes, Calvin Coolidge and Harry Truman as presidents who decided not to run for a second elected term.