President Joe Biden’s recent decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race has left the political landscape in a state of flux. As Democrats scramble to find a new candidate, many are left wondering about the implications of Biden’s decision on his current role as president.
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Is Joe Biden Still US President?
Yes, Joe Biden remains the President of the United States. Despite withdrawing from the re-election race, he continues to serve as the head of state and government, fulfilling his presidential duties until the end of his term on January 20, 2025.
President Joe Biden Withdraws from 2024 Presidential Race
Biden’s decision to step aside comes amid growing concerns about his age and ability to handle the rigors of another term. After a series of public gaffes and a particularly poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump, Biden faced mounting pressure from within his own party to withdraw.
In his statement posted on X, Biden emphasized his commitment to his current presidential responsibilities. “While it has been my intention to seek re-election, 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,” he said.
Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election. This endorsement aims to provide a sense of stability and direction for the party as it prepares for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. More than 4,000 party officials and activists, known as delegates, will gather to vote on the new nominee.
Political analysts note that this situation is unprecedented in modern US politics. The last sitting president to withdraw from a re-election bid was Lyndon Johnson in 1968, but Biden’s withdrawal comes much closer to the election, adding to the uncertainty.
Kyle Kondik, managing editor for the Sabato’s Crystal Ball, commented on the uniqueness of the situation: “We’re in uncharted territory here.” Kondik emphasized that Biden’s dominance in the primary season makes this development even more unusual.
The Democratic Party now faces the daunting task of rallying around a new candidate and re-energizing its base to defeat Trump in the upcoming election. Meena Bose, a professor of political science at Hofstra University, highlighted the potential benefits of this shake-up. “A late change is not ideal, but it may bring more optimism than no change at all, or at the very least might potentially be helpful down the ballot, if not in the presidential race,” she said.
While Biden continues to serve as president, questions about his health and capacity will likely persist. However, his focus remains on leading the country and ensuring a smooth transition within the Democratic Party. His endorsement of Harris aims to provide stability and direction during this tumultuous time.
Republicans have been quick to criticize Biden’s decision, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling for his immediate resignation. “If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately,” Johnson stated.
As the United States heads into one of the most chaotic election seasons in recent memory, the Democratic Party must navigate these uncharted waters to present a united front against a formidable Republican opponent. The upcoming Democratic National Convention will be a crucial moment for the party as it seeks to solidify its strategy and candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
