US President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the race to be the next president, following mounting pressure from Democrats.
Biden in a statement on Sunday, said his decision to stand down “is in the best interest of my party and the country”
Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris, the current vice-president, to be the new Democratic candidate.
It comes four months before Americans go to the polls.
Biden, who is 81, had faced increasing calls to step aside after a faltering debate performance against Republican candidate Donald Trump in June.
He said although he’s dropping out of the presidential race, he’s not stepping down as US president and will stay in the White House for the final six months of his term.
“I believe it is in my 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 writes.
As a reminder, the US presidential election is on 5 November – the winner serves four years.
Reacting, Democrat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer described President Joe Biden as a “true patriot and great American.”
In a post on X, external, he says: “Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he’s 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.”
Here’s Biden’s statement on Harris in full, which he posted on X moments ago:
“My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
“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.
“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.
“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,” he writes on X.
