(NewsNation) — Former President Barack Obama released a lengthy statement expressing his gratitude and admiration for President Joe Biden following his decision to drop out of the 2024 election.
“Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded — again — that he’s a patriot of the highest order,” Obama wrote in a statement Sunday.
The message comes after Biden officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party’s presidential nominee. However, Obama neither mentioned nor endorsed Harris in his statement, instead, voicing his confidence in party leadership to find a nominee.
“We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges,” Obama wrote.
Biden’s decision to end his reelection bid comes after growing calls from within his party to “pass the torch” following his heavily criticized debate performance.
“I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America,” Obama wrote.
Meanwhile, Harris has accepted Biden’s endorsement, saying she will seek the Democratic nomination to replace Biden.
“I am honored to have the president’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Harris said in a statement issued by Biden’s campaign. “Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead.”
Other Democrats have also praised Biden’s decision in the hours following his announcement.
“Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. “His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American,” Schumer concluded.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called Biden “a patriotic American who has always put our country first.
Meanwhile, several Republicans are sharing their disdain for the president as the Democratic party heads towards a chaotic few weeks ahead.
“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was!” former President Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
“He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t,” Trump continued.
House Speaker, Mike Johnson, R-La., says Biden’s withdrawal speaks ill of the president and his party.
“Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed ‘party of democracy’ has proven exactly the opposite,” Johnson wrote.
“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough,” Johnson added.
