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President Joe Biden was under heavy pressure from fellow Democrats.
President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday came after heavy pressure from congressional Democrats, including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and more than 30 House lawmakers.
Biden, 81, had resisted calls to step aside that grew almost daily following his poor performance in his June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump and persistent questions about his age and mental fitness. His decision comes just a few months before the Nov. 5 election.
Biden backed his vice president, Kamala Harris for the top of the ticket -- triggering many others in the party to issue statements backing Harris.
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Biden's family responds to his decision to leave 2024 race
First lady Jill Biden responded to her husband, President Joe Biden's decision to leave the presidential race on Sunday, reposting his announcement with a heart emoji.
Biden’s granddaughter, Naomi Biden, wrote in a post on X that she is "proud today of my Pop."
"I’m nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction," she wrote. "Not only has he been — and will continue to be — the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history."
"He has been at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years," she added. "Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours."
Trump says Biden was 'not fit to run' in 2024 presidential race
Following Biden’s announcement he would drop out of the 2024 presidential race, Trump railed against him in a post on TruthSocial.
"Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement," Trump wrote.
"All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t," he wrote. "And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
'A good day for the Democratic Party,' Sen. Heitkamp says
Minutes after President Joe Biden announced he was stepping down from the 2024 presidential race, former North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp said that while she considers Biden an ally and a friend, Sunday is "a good day for the Democratic Party."
Heitkamp called his decision "a sacrifice he is making for the country."
"He has served this country so ably, it can't have been easy," Heitkamp said, in an interview on ABC News Live.
Biden endorses Vice President Kamala Harris
After announcing he would exit the 2024 race, President Joe Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
In a message on X, Biden called picking Harris as his running mate in 2020 the "best decision" he has made.
"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," he wrote. "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," he wrote. "Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this."