For the first time since he exited the presidential race, Biden addresses the nation

By Ben Giles and Lexie Schapitl, NPR

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In an Oval Office speech this evening, President Biden addressed his decision to abandon his race for a second term, telling Americans, “the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.” 

“I revere this office. But I love my country more,” Biden said from behind the Resolute desk. “It's been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but in defense of democracy, which is a stake, I think it's more important than any title.”

Biden said stepping aside was “the best way to unite” the country.

Biden also outlined some of his priorities for the final six months of his term, including lowering costs, defending voting rights and protecting access to abortion.

The remarks were Biden’s first to the public since bowing to pressure from the Democratic Party and withdrawing from the presidential campaign on Sunday.

Biden said he believed his record as president “merited a second term.”

“But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy,” he said “That includes personal ambition.”

His decision to step down was quickly followed by an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to run for president. Biden did address his former campaign team via telephone on Monday, when he told staffers that while “the name has changed at the top of the ticket… The mission hasn’t changed at all.”

Harris has since received enough support from Democratic National Convention delegates across the country to become the party’s nominee. The Democratic Party will hold a virtual roll call vote on Aug. 7 to officially choose a nominee.

Harris has support of enough Democratic delegates to become party’s presidential nominee: AP survey

Biden returned to the White House on Tuesday after isolating for days at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del. — during which time he also made the decision to withdraw as the presumptive Democratic nominee. The president had tested positive for COVID last week during a trip to Las Vegas, but as of Monday, Biden’s symptoms had resolved and he took a rapid test that came back negative, his doctor said in a memo released by the White House.

Though Harris takes his place on the campaign trail, Biden still faces a busy schedule back in Washington. After his Wednesday evening address, the president will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday. The leaders are expected to meet with the families of Americans held hostage by Hamas.

The White House said Biden plans to travel to Austin, Texas, on Monday for an event at the LBJ Library.