Democrats, Republicans and others react to Biden dropping out of presidential race
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U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday ended his re-election campaign.
He said in a letter posted on X that he would remain in office until the end of his term and address the country later this week on his decision. He also endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party’s candidate.
Below are reactions from politicians, advocacy groups, and other observers.
Donald Trump
In a phone call with CNN minutes after Biden announced his exit from the 2024 race, former president Donald Trump responded, “He is the worst president in the history of our country. He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country.” Trump also said he thought Harris will be easier to defeat than Biden would have been, according to CNN.
Barack Obama
“Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded — again — that he’s a patriot of the highest order,” the former U.S. president, under whom Biden served as vice-president, said in a statement.
Justin Trudeau
“I’ve known President Biden for years. He’s a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians — and a true friend,” the Canadian prime minister said on social media.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
“We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership,” the Ukrainian president said. “He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing [Russian President Vladimir] Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer
“Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American,” the Democratic Senate majority leader said in a statement.
U.S. President Joe Biden has dropped out of the U.S. presidential race and thrown his ‘full support’ to Vice-President Kamala Harris. His move, sparked in part by growing pressure from some key Democrats for Biden to step down, is generating some strong reactions from party members.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“I commend President Biden for stepping down. His infirmities were evident to any unbiased observer from the beginning. It was this progressive deterioration — and his abandonment of Democratic Party principles — that prompted me to enter the race and ensure American voters had a viable, vigorous alternative to Donald Trump,” the independent presidential candidate said in a post on X.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi
“President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. God blessed America with Joe Biden’s greatness and goodness.”
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,” the former U.S. president and his wife, the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate who lost to Trump, said in a statement.
Rep. Elise Stefanik
“If Joe Biden can’t run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as President of the United States. He must immediately resign,” the chair of the House Republican conference said in a statement.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries
“America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful,” the House Democratic leader said in a statement.
Gov. Gavin Newsom
“President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents,” California’s Democratic governor posted on X.
Donald Trump Jr.
“Kamala Harris owns the entire leftwing policy record of Joe Biden. The only difference is that she is even more liberal and less competent than Joe, which is really saying something. She was put in charge of the border and we saw the worst invasion of illegals in our history!!!” Donald Jr. said on X.
U.S. President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind Vice-President Kamala Harris after ending his re-election campaign on Sunday. Political science professor Chris Galdieri reacts to Biden’s backing of Harris, while Republican strategist Chip Felkel looks at how she stacks up against Trump.
Environmentalist Erich Pica
“We thank President Biden for his decades of leadership and support the decision to end his re-election campaign. While far from perfect, Biden has taken some historic steps to address the climate crisis by passing the Inflation Reduction Act and kickstarting major investments in renewable energy,” the president of Friends of the Earth Action, a environmentalist group, said in a statement.
“What’s at stake in this election remains the same: Trump is an existential threat to our democracy and the planet and would guarantee a full descent into climate chaos.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
“President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure America’s global leadership over decades will go down in history. My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families’ costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan,” the Michican governor, a Democrat, said on X.
Sen. Dick Durbin
“Throughout his public career, Joe Biden always put country first. His four years as President made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country,” the Democratic senator and majority whip posted on X.
Rep. Steve Scalise
“Democrat party bosses just proved that they have absolutely no respect for their own voters. After lecturing others about democracy, they just forced Joe Biden off the ticket—trashing the primary choice of 14 million of their own voters,” the Republican House majority leader said on X.
Naomi Biden
“I’m nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction. Not only has he been —and will continue to be — the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history,” Biden’s granddaughter posted on X.
Youth group Voters of Tomorrow
The Gen Z-led organization that says it engages young Americans in politics and government, praised Biden “for delivering the most pro-youth agenda in American history.”
“We are ready to mobilize young people to elect Kamala Harris as president,” the group said.
U.K. PM Keir Starmer
“I respect President Biden’s decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency,” the British prime minister said in a statement.
“I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, President Biden will have made his decision based on what he believes is in the best interests of the American people.”
