President Joe Biden has announced he will address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET to explain his decision to withdraw from the presidential race.
“I will address the nation from the Oval Office on what lies ahead, and how I will finish the job for the American people,” Biden stated in a post on X.
Explaining the decision
In his address, Biden plans to provide a detailed explanation for his unexpected decision to step down from seeking re-election. He will also discuss the work he aims to complete in the remaining months of his term, according to a source familiar with his remarks.
Endorsement and health update
On Sunday, Biden issued a letter announcing he would not accept the Democratic nomination and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him at the top of the ticket. This announcement was delayed due to Biden’s recent Covid diagnosis.
In his letter, Biden emphasized that stepping aside is in the “best interest” of the country and the Democratic Party. “While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” he wrote.
Biden, who has been self-isolating in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is set to return to the White House on Tuesday afternoon. He and his close aides began working on the speech on Monday, continuing to draft it while he was in Rehoboth.
First major event
The prime-time address will be Biden’s first major event upon his return to Washington. According to those familiar with his plans, Biden wants his first act back in the White House to be speaking directly to the American people about his decision and the future of his presidency.