President Biden Says 'The Best Way Forward Is To Pass The Torch To A New Generation''

On July 17, President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19. A few days later, he released a resignation letter announcing he would no longer run for re-election and would instead endorse his Vice President, Kamala Harris. However, he never addressed the nation publicly, as he was in isolation.

Now that he has tested negative for COVID-19, Joe Biden addressed the nation live for the first time from the White House on Wednesday.

Last week, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Biden tested positive "following his first event in Las Vegas."

"He is vaccinated and boosted and he is experiencing mild symptoms. He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time," Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday, July 17.

"The White House will provide regular updates on the President's status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation," the White House press secretary added, which explains why the public had not seen the President out in public for nearly a week.

On Sunday, the President of the United States withdrew from the presidential race, telling America, "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President" before thanking Harris "for being an extraordinary partner in all this work."

A day after declaring his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, Joe Biden called into the campaign headquarters to encourage staffers to fully support his Vice President, Kamala Harris.

Isolating at his Delaware home due to COVID-19, Biden assured everyone that he was "not going anywhere" and promised to actively campaign for Harris. "If I didn’t have COVID, I’d be standing there with you," said Biden, his voice slightly hoarse.

Joe Biden opened his address from the Oval Office with, “In this sacred space, I’m surrounded by portraits extraordinary American presidents. Thomas Jefferson wrote the immortal words that guide this nation. George Washington showed us presidents are not kings. Abraham Lincoln, who implored us to reject malice, Franklin Roosevelt, who inspired us to reject fear. I revere this office, but I love my country more."

Approximately ten minutes into his speech, Joe Biden said he feels his performance warrants a second term as president, but he has decided to step aside in favor of allowing another candidate to take the lead.

“I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That’s the best way to unite our nation. You know, 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, and that time and place is now,” the president said in his speech from the Oval Office.

Not only did Biden claim that it "is in the interest of my party and the country to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president," but he also thanked Vice President Kamala Harris "for being an extraordinary partner in all this work."

“Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation," he said. "Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in 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.”

The President went on to say that America "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," Biden said before announcing his endorsement for Kamala Harris.

“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 decision I’ve made," Joe Biden wrote in a follow-up statement. ”Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this."

On Sunday, the Vice President thanked Biden for his endorsement, saying, "I am honored to have the President’s endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. 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. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda," she continued. "We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win."