FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden gestures as he speaks at a press conference during NATO's 75th anniversary summit, in Washington, U.S., July 11, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
(Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday ended his reelection campaign. He said in a letter posted on social media platform X that he would remain in office until the end of his term and address the country later this week on his decision.
Below are reactions from politicians, industry and advocacy groups and other observers.
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS
"I am honored to have the president's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," Harris said in a statement. "I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party - and unite our nation - to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda."
FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
In a phone call with CNN minutes after Biden announced his exit from the 2024 race, former President Trump responded, "He is the worst president in the history of our country. He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country." Trump also said he thought Vice President Kamala Harris will be easier to defeat than Biden would have been, according to CNN.
FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
"I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldn't make this decision unless he believed it was right for America," the former president said in a statement. "I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges."
CHUCK SCHUMER, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER
"Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American," the Democrat said in a statement.
ELISE STEFANIK, HOUSE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE CHAIRWOMAN
"If Joe Biden can’t run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as President of the United States. He must immediately resign," Stefanik said in a statement.
INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.
"I commend President Biden for stepping down. His infirmities were evident to any unbiased observer from the beginning. It was this progressive deterioration - and his abandonment of Democratic Party principles - that prompted me to enter the race and ensure American voters had a viable, vigorous alternative to Donald Trump," Kennedy said in a post on X.
HAKEEM JEFFRIES, HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER
"America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful," Jeffries said in a statement.
STEVE SCALISE, HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER
"Democrat party bosses just proved that they have absolutely no respect for their own voters. After lecturing others about democracy, they just forced Joe Biden off the ticket—trashing the primary choice of 14 million of their own voters," Scalise, a Republican, said on X.
NANCY PELOSI, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE AND FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER
"President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. God blessed America with Joe Biden's greatness and goodness."
GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA
"President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents," Newsom posted on X.
NANETTE BARRAG
