Biden to Address Nation on Decision to Withdraw from 2024 Race

President Joe Biden is set to deliver a significant speech on Wednesday evening at 8 PM ET from the Oval Office, where he will explain his recent decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. This address marks the first extensive communication from the president since his unexpected announcement on Sunday, despite his previous assertions that he intended to run. Biden has been recuperating at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, after testing positive for Covid-19 nearly a week ago. In a brief call to his former campaign headquarters on Monday, Biden expressed his support for Vice President Kamala Harris, who has now secured enough delegate backing to clinch the Democratic nomination. He reassured supporters that he remains committed to being "fully engaged" in the campaign and intends to maximize his efforts during the final six months of his presidency. "I won’t be on the ticket, but I am still going to be fully, fully engaged," he stated, emphasizing his determination to accomplish key domestic and foreign policy goals. Biden acknowledged that his decision to step back from the race was "surprising," but he maintained it was the right choice. His upcoming address is notable, as prime-time speeches from the Oval Office are rare. This will be Biden's second such address this month, following a speech on July 14 regarding an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Biden's withdrawal marks a historic moment, as he becomes the first sitting president in over a generation to opt out of seeking a second term, drawing comparisons to President Lyndon B. Johnson's 1968 announcement.