Transcript: Biden’s Speech on Withdrawing from the 2024 Presidential Race

Transcript of President Joe Biden’s address to the nation on July 24, 2024:

My fellow Americans, tonight I speak to you from the Oval Office, surrounded by portraits of past presidents who have shaped our nation. Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt all left legacies of leadership and vision.

Serving as your president has been the honor of my life, but my love for our country surpasses any title. In these critical times, the defense of democracy is more important than personal ambition.

America is at a pivotal moment. The choices we make now will define our nation’s future. We must decide between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, unity and division. Honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice, and democracy are the values we must uphold.

I believe in the greatness of America because I believe in the goodness of its people. When you elected me, I promised to always level with you. The truth is, our nation’s cause is larger than any one of us. To protect American democracy, we must unite.

Recently, I realized that uniting my party is crucial in this effort. Although I believe my record and vision merit a second term, saving our democracy comes first. Therefore, I have decided to pass the torch to a new generation.

In the next six months, I will continue my work as your president. I will focus on lowering costs for families, growing our economy, defending personal freedoms and civil rights, and combating hate and extremism. I will push for Supreme Court reform and continue fighting to end cancer. I will ensure America remains strong and a leader in the world.

As the first president in this century to report that the United States is not at war, I will maintain our alliances and work to end conflicts like the one in Gaza. We will bring home Americans unjustly detained abroad and continue to advance our nation.

Since my inauguration, we have overcome numerous challenges. We now have the strongest economy in the world, with nearly 16 million new jobs. Wages are up, inflation is down, and we are rebuilding our nation. Manufacturing has returned, and we are leading in innovation.

More people have health care today, and we have passed significant laws to lower drug costs and address climate change. Our violent crime rate is at a 50-year low, and border security has improved.

I ran for president because I believed the soul of America was at stake. That belief remains. America is an idea that we must continue to strive toward, an idea of equality and freedom.

In the upcoming months, the American people will choose the direction of our nation. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for her partnership and leadership. Now, the choice is yours.

Remember the words of Benjamin Franklin: “A republic, if you can keep it.” The future of our republic is in your hands.

It has been my privilege to serve this nation for over 50 years. The promise and possibilities of America are endless. I am deeply grateful for the support and love of the American people.

In America, the people rule. History and the power to shape it are in your hands. Let’s preserve our democracy together. God bless you all, and may God protect our troops. Thank you.

source: https://abcnews.go.com/