President Joe Biden‘s family and longtime, loyal staff cried as he addressed the nation about his decision to exit the 2024 campaign.
Biden was surrounded by his loved ones and those who helped make his political career as he spoke from the Oval Office. They applauded when he finished his 11-minute speech but they also wiped away tears.
First lady Jill Biden, his wife of 47 years, was the first by his side after he finished. She joined him at the Resolute Desk followed by son Hunter, who gave his dad a hug. Hunter’s daughter Finnegan and the Bidens’ daughter Ashley also hugged the president with Finnegan wiping away tears as she turned away from her grandfather.
Ashley’s husband Howard Krein was also present as were other Biden grandchildren including Naomi Biden Neal and her husband Peter Neal, young Hunter Biden (the late Beau Biden’s son) and Maisy Biden.
Staff in the room included Mike Donilon, Biden’s longtime aide who has been there since the start of his political career; press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and Biden’s deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini.
‘This has been the honor of a lifetime,’ the president told them.
Then the crew joined other staff out in the Rose Garden, where ice cream – the president’s favorite treat – was being served.
‘Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher’ – one of Biden’s campaign songs – was playing.
Hunter Biden moves to hug dad Joe Biden while Jill Biden applauds him for his speech
Ashley Biden hugs dad Joe Biden while Finnegan Biden wipes away tears
In his speech, Biden outlined his reasons for exiting the 2024 campaign while making the argument he could serve another four years if he chose.
He said he chose to ‘pass the torch’ to Vice President Kamala Harris because he believed it would unit the country and save democracy.
‘I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future all merited a second term,’ he said in a primetime address from the Oval Office.
‘But nothing, nothing, can come in the way of saving our democracy that includes personal ambition so I decided the best way forward is the pass the torch to a new generation.’
‘There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices fresh voices. Yes, younger voices,’ he noted.
One thing he did not address was his own health. Biden, 81, just recovered from a bout of COVID but it was his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, where he fumbled for words and stared blankly at times, that led multiple Democrats to call for him to exit the presidential race.
Biden fumbled a bit in his delivery, mumbling at times and speaking softly. But he used the address to outline his legacy, to explain his reasons for dropping out of the presidential race, and note he has more work to do in the six months he has left in office.
From right: Jill Biden, Ashley Biden and husband Howard Krein, and Hunter Biden and his daugther Finnegan listen to Joe Biden speak
White House staff gathered in the Rose Garden to cheer on the president after his speech
Hunter Biden gives his dad a hug
President Biden addresses staff in the Rose Garden after his Oval Office speech
He said he revered the office but loves his country more.
‘I revere this office but I love my country more,’ the president said.
‘It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president but the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think is more important than a title.’
Biden made it clear he stepping down voluntarily, drawing a stark contrast between his predecessor. He didn’t mention Donald Trump by name but his meaning was clear when he talked about how the country is more important than the Oval Office.
Trump sought to overturn the 2020 election results and stay in power, later facing state and federal charges for his actions.
‘America is an idea – an idea stronger and any army, bigger than any ocean, more power than any dictator,’ Biden said.
As the president spoke, his staff were gathered one floor up, on the state floor of the White House, to watch his remarks with wine and pizza.
Before the speech began, staffers were spotted walking in from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is across the street of the West Wing, into the White House proper for the event.
Biden’s decision to step down sent shock waves through out the political world and closed out more than 50 years in politics.
He endorsed Harris to be his nominee and turned over his campaign infrastructure to her. The campaign renamed itself ‘Harris for President.’
Within 30 hours Harris had pledges from enough delegates to win the presidential nomination.
In his speech on Wednesday night, Biden didn’t explicitly endorse Harris but noted he’s ‘made my views known.
‘I made my choice. I’ve made my views known. I’d like to thank our great Vice President Kamala Harris. She’s experienced. She’s tough. She’s capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country.’
‘Now the choice is up to you, the American people,’ he said in reference to the upcoming election.
Hunter Biden, his daughter Finnegan, Howard Krein, Ashley Biden and Jill Biden in the Oval
President Joe Biden pauses before he addresses the nation from the Oval Office
Jill Biden joined Joe Biden at the Resolute Desk when he finished his speech
White House staff watched the speech from the state floor of the White House
Delegates will nominate their ticket virtually between August 1-7 ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which kicks off August 19th in Chicago.
The president returned to the White House on Tuesday after spending six days isolating in his Rehoboth Beach house, where he was suffering from COVID.
He has canceled a West Coast fundraising swing scheduled for the end of the week.
He will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday.
He spent weeks rebuffing pressure from those in his party to step down as its nominee. On Sunday, he bowed to the inevitable.
Biden is the first incumbent president not to seek reelection since 1968 when Lyndon Johnson, under fire for his handling of the Vietnam War, abruptly pulled out of 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 all decided not to stand for a second elected term.
