Biden talks decision to withdraw from race – Boston Herald

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening about his decision to abandon his 2024 Democratic re-election bid.

Biden posted on X that he would speak “about what lies ahead” and how he will “get the job done for the American people.” He will speak at 8 p.m. ET.

He declined to preview his message after returning to Washington, telling reporters to “watch and listen.”

“Why don’t you wait a moment and listen to what I say?” he said.

The president left Delaware shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday after nearly a week of isolation at his Rehoboth Beach home following his second bout of COVID-19. Biden has now tested negative for the virus and his symptoms have resolved, according to a letter from his doctor, Kevin O’Connor, released Tuesday.

Holding a blue paper mask, he told reporters that “I feel good,” but did not answer other questions, such as whether Vice President Kamala Harris can defeat Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Biden has not been seen in public since July 17, but he gathered for a campaign rally on Monday to address staff and voice his support for Harris’ bid to replace him, a day after announcing his withdrawal from the race.

The White House, meanwhile, rejected Republican calls for Biden to resign as president.

“I think it’s ridiculous. I really do,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on ABC’s “The View.” “The president decided not to run for re-election. That’s it. That’s all he decided. He wants to get on with his job.”

She said the government will run “to the end” and that Biden’s presidency will end in January.

Jean-Pierre argued that Biden put the country before himself by dropping out of the race. He said: “This president was a public servant for 54 years.”

She quickly added, “We’re not done yet. He’s stepped down as a nominee, but he’s still the president.”