President Joe Biden addressed the nation in the Oval Office for the first time since formally announcing his decision to drop out of the presidential race, revealing how he came to the historic decision during prime-time, having said that it was "in the best interest of my party and the country."
The president said his decision to finally end his reelection bid sought to "pass the torch" to a younger generation, as he believed it was the best way to "unite" the nation— a message that has been going around both parties since Donald Trump's failed assassination attempt.
"The defense of democracy is more important than any title. I draw strength, and find joy, in working for the American people: But this sacred task of perfecting our Union is not about me. It's about you. Your families. Your futures. It's about 'We the People,'" Biden said during a passage of his speech.
The 81-year-old also recognized that he believes his record merited a second term, but "nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy."
His address (only the fourth one in the Oval Office during his administration) is seen as one last push from the Biden team to cement his legacy, as the past year has been focused around questions regarding his mental fitness and ability to run for a second term. Now, as he is no longer the presumptive Democratic nominee and much of the national attention shifting to Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden is showing Americans he still plans to make an impact in his last six months in office.
"There's been a feeling that Joe Biden has disappeared from the scene and everybody is doing a eulogy for him," said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. "Yet he's still our president all the way until January. He wants to use the prime-time television address to remind people that our country is still in good stead under his leadership."
Biden declared that during the last six months of his presidency he will work to complete some of his administration's goals, such as protecting abortion, ending the war in Gaza, making health care more accessible and "protecting democracy."
He also acknowledged his own background, celebrating the "American dream" as a way to accomplish his own personal goals.
"Nowhere else on earth could a kid with a stutter— from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware— one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as president of the United States. But here I am."
As Biden gives what seems to be a farewell address, Donald Trump is holding a rally in Charlotte and vice President Kamala Harris asked for support from women of color during an address at a historically Black sorority.
Earlier today, thousands of protesters rallied to denounce Israel's war in Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu delivered a speech to Congress to defend Israel's conduct in the war and vowed "total victory" against Hamas.
Nevertheless, as Biden passed "the torch" back in the Oval Office, he felt short of mentioning Donald Trump by name, merely alluding to his administration and ideas. He also encouraged Americans to make a choice and "save democracy,"— without explicitly endorsing the Harris campaign— as he has already made his.
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