President Biden, 81, announced Sunday that he was pulling out of the 2024 race following weeks of being pressured by his fellow Democrats. The demands for him to withdrawal from the race began in earnest after his much-criticized debate performance in late June.

“I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down," Biden said in a statement posted to X. He added that he plans to address the nation later this week. He also made clear that he intends to finish out the last five months of his term in office.

In a separate post following the announcement, Biden wrote that he is endorsing his vice president, Kamala Harris, to be the Democratic nominee for president. "Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump," he wrote. "Let’s do this."

In her own statement, Harris said she was "honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination."

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Democrat Chaos in 2024 Race

Biden’s exit from the presidential race comes less than a month before the Democrats are scheduled to hold their nominating convention in Chicago starting on Aug. 19. 

It also raises questions about who will replace him at the top of the ticket. How that person will be picked and whether that person has a better shot at defeating former President Donald Trump than Biden being debated by top Democrats.

Hours after President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the race, the Biden-Harris campaign filed an amendment with the Federal Election Commission to rename its principal committee to “Harris for President.”

 “Vice President Harris is now a candidate for United States President in the 2024 election and will henceforth be conducting campaign activities only in pursuit of that office,” the committee stated in a letter filed to the commission, according to CNN.

Outside the White House

While President Joe Biden remains in Rehoboth Beach, Del., recovering from his third case of COVID, supporters gathered outside the White House with signs saying, "You're the Best" and "Thank you!" Balloons were tied to the fence outside the president's official residence in Washington, D.C.

Prior to Biden’s statement exiting the race, the same crowds had been gathered outside the White House. For several days they were chanting, "It’s time to go, Joe.” They carried signs and hung a banner on the fence which said, “Bye, Bye Biden.”

Kamala Harris Endorsements

A growing number of Democratic leaders have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.

There is also many top Democrats that have not endorsed her in the 2024 race. Notably the Obamas have not endorsed her.

Former president and first lady Bill and Hillary Clinton: "We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her," they wrote in a shared statement.

• Sen. Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts: "I endorse Kamala Harris for President," she wrote. "She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion."
• Sen. Adam Schiff from California: "The stakes are high, and we must focus all our energy on electing Kamala Harris and defeating Donald Trump,” he wrote.
• Rep. Jim Clyburn from South Carolina: "I echo the good judgment [Biden] demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this nation alongside him," he said. "I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Party’s 2024 nominee for President."

Other Democrats, including Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona, Senator Chris Coons from Delaware, and Representative Cori Bush from Missouri, all rushed to her support.

There are many that have not endorsed Harris, as well. Notably, the Obamas have not yet endorsed her.

JD Vance Responds

JD Vance, the senator from Ohio and Trump's running mate, took a swipe at Kamala Harris, saying, "Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way."

He went on to say: "President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoever's at the top of the Democrat ticket. Bring it on."