U.S. president Joe Biden has decided not to seek re-election, adding another layer of uncertainty to the already tight race for the White House this year.
On Sunday, Biden, the oldest sitting president in the U.S. historically announced his decision amid mounting pressure from fellow Democrats. More than 30 members of Congress had publicly urged him to withdraw.
In a post about X, the 81-year-old president said he would continue in office until his term ends in February 2025 and would address the nation later this week.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. And although I had intended to seek re-election, it’s in the best interest of my party and the country to resign and just focus on fulfilling my responsibilities as president during my term the rest of the time,” Biden wrote .
His first statement did not say he would support Vice President Kamala Harris, but he later expressed support for her.
Harris, 59, would make history as the first black woman to lead a major party ticket in America.
Biden’s decision marks the first time a sitting president has declined his party’s nomination to succeed President Lyndon Johnson in March 1968. His departure gives his successor less than four months to campaign.
