Read Joe Biden's letter announcing his decision to drop out of the 2024 election
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President Joe Biden announced Sunday he will no longer seek reelection after weeks of pressure from Democratic leaders concerned he would lose to former President Donald Trump in November.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a written statement posted to social media. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Here's what Biden said in Sunday's letter.
Read the letter Joe Biden sent dropping out of the race
"My Fellow Americans,
"Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
"Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, ion lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
"I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
"I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
"For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
"I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do — when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America."
— Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Joe Biden drops out: Biden exits out of 2024 race amid growing pressure from top Democrats
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at JTuftsReports.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Read Joe Biden's letter announcing he's dropping out of the 2024 race
