On Sunday, July 21, U.S. President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election, stating in a written message that his decision was “for the good of my party and the country.“

President Joe Biden could no longer withstand the pressure and took a radical turn in the campaign for the upcoming November 5 election by withdrawing his candidacy and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

This decision comes less than four months before Americans head to the polls to elect their next president in an election where the Republican candidate is already known: former President Donald Trump.

This twist in the race for the White House follows weeks of intense pressure from Biden’s fellow Democrats, stemming from his questioned performance in the debate against Trump in late June, which highlighted concerns about the president’s advanced age of 81 years.

The presidential office in Washington confirmed that Joe Biden would complete his current four-year term until January 2025. Many in the White House and the campaign were not informed of Biden’s plans in advance, learning about it mostly through social media posts.

Joe Biden Endorses Kamala Harris as Successor for Democratic Presidential Nomination

Although Biden did not mention Kamala Harris in his initial statement, he endorsed her through a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) about half an hour later. The two had multiple conversations throughout the day leading up to the announcement, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.

Kamala Harris, who stated her intention to “earn and win” the presidential nomination, spent Sunday afternoon speaking with lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, other key party officials, and governors to shore up support for her candidacy.

Despite having secured the backing of the president and top Democrats, her ascent to the top of the ticket is not guaranteed until delegates vote to confirm the nominee who will replace Biden in the presidential race. The vote will take place at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Potential presidential candidates include Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

Kamala Harris Makes First Public Appearance Following Biden’s Endorsement

The Vice President delivered a speech during the celebration of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champions in the South Lawn of the White House. In her address, Harris praised Biden’s legacy and thanked him for his service to the American people.

“Joe Biden’s legacy of achievements over the past three years is unparalleled in modern history. In a single term, he has surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms,” Harris remarked. “I first met President Biden through his son Beau. We worked together as attorneys general in our respective states. Back then, Beau would share stories about his father.”

“He spoke about the kind of father and man Joe is. The qualities Beau revered in his father are the same ones I see every day in our president. His honesty, integrity, commitment to his faith and family, his big heart, and his deep love for our country. I witness firsthand that every day, President Joe Biden fights for the American people, and we are profoundly, profoundly grateful for his service to our nation,” she said in her speech.