President Joe Biden shocked the United States political landscape on Sunday by announcing the end of his reelection campaign and throwing his full support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

The move, less than four months before the November 5 election, marks a dramatic turning point in a race where the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, has already been confirmed. 

The White House confirmed that Biden will serve out his current term until January 2025, ensuring continuity in government as the Democrats reorganize their strategy. In a letter posted on social media, the president said that serving as commander-in-chief of the United States has been the greatest honor of his life.

While his initial intention was to seek reelection, Biden stated that stepping aside was “the best thing for my party and for the country,” allowing him to focus on finishing his duties during the remainder of his presidency. 

Biden’s letter

The decision comes after weeks of mounting pressure within the Democratic Party, particularly following Biden’s shaky performance in the June debate against Trump. That appearance reignited concerns about his age—81—and his ability to withstand the rigors of another presidential campaign. 

In his message, Biden praised Kamala Harris as an “extraordinary partner” and urged Democrats to unite around her candidacy. “My first decision as the party’s nominee in 2020 was to choose Kamala Harris as my vice president, and it was the best decision I ever made.

Today, I want to give her my full support to be our party’s candidate this year. Democrats: it’s time to come together and defeat Trump,” he declared. 

Harris, 59, responded swiftly, thanking Biden for his endorsement and making clear her intention to pursue the nomination. “It is an honor to have the president’s support, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” she said in a statement. 

While other Democrats could still enter the race, Harris is now considered the clear frontrunner. She already secured important endorsements beyond Biden, including backing from Bill and Hillary Clinton and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Should she win the nomination and go on to victory in November, Kamala Harris would make history as the first female president of the United States. 

This unprecedented shift aims to unify the Democratic Party at a critical moment and sharpen its challenge against Trump in what is expected to be one of the tightest elections in modern American history. For now, Biden remains focused on completing his presidency, while Harris steps forward as the party’s best hope to carry the Democrats into the future.