President Biden announces that he has dropped out of the presidential race

UPDATE (5:12 PM): Minority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) appeared on MSNBC with Rev. Al Sharpton and commented on President Biden's decision to drop out of the race.

"Joe Biden has been one of the most consequential presidents in American history. He rescued the country from a once in a century pandemic, saved the economy from the possibility of recession, and also, of course, was able to preserve our democracy by defeating the former president, the insurrectionist in chief and someone who wants to turn back the clock on the United States of America. He has put people over politics and patriotism over personal position. And this is another heroic act in a long running series of heroic acts by Joe Biden on behalf of the American people from the moment he was first elected back in 1972 to the United States Senate."

When asked how Jeffries will expect Trump to run against Vice President Kamala Harris should she secure the Democratic nomination, Jeffries said:

"Well, Donald Trump is running scared. House Republicans are running scared. Extreme MAGA Republicans are running scared because the focus right now is going to turn back to Project 2025 which is the Trump plan to end America and our values and our path forward as we know it to turn back the clock. The focus is going to be on the extreme Supreme Court justices who ripped away reproductive freedom from the women of America. The focus is going to be on Trump and his policies of trying to enact big tax cuts for the wealthy, the well off and the well connected, and we're going to be able to contrast that with our vision of putting people over politics, fighting for lower costs, ending price gouging, defending democracy, standing up for a woman's freedom to make her own reproductive healthcare decisions, and growing the middle class."

UPDATE (4:58 PM): Democratic lawmakers from across the country are reacting to President Biden's announcement that he's dropping out of the 2024 campaign.

So far, many Democrats have been supportive of the decision and the person he has endorse to replace him: Vice President Kamala Harris.

"He deserves respect and real admiration for the job he's done and what he's done today. This is putting the country's future ahead of any personal ambitions or biases. So thank you, President Biden, for your life of service. And I what I think it means to the country is are we going to move forward as America always has, when we were challenged?

A lot of us have said consistently, we support the president and once he makes the decision, we will support that decision. He's made it now I support not only his decision, but the direction he wants this country to go in. Vice President Harris is, I've known her for many years. She's very qualified. And she to me is the personification of what this country looks like right now, and the future of this country."

Rep. Mark Desaulnier (D-CA)

"He made a very selfless and patriotic decision. It's not often that you see someone put their own ambition and career aside for what he genuinely believes is in the best interest of the party and the best interest of the country. For me personally, it's it's also a sad moment. I was literally the President's first endorser. When when he announced in 2019, that he was going to run I've been a supporter for a long time.

Obviously, that word has spread tremendously since then, but really, within minutes, it was probably the tweet heard round the world. So it is completely up ended the 2024 presidential race. We haven't seen anything like this since like this since 1968. So it's a very momentous occasion.

It's clear that Kamala Harris is running. She's endorsed by the President. She's the overwhelming favorite. And frankly, the idea that someone else would put together a national campaign coming out of nowhere in only three weeks, I think is pretty far fetched. So I think it's quite clear that Kamala Harris will be the Democratic nominee for president and I think she has a very good chance of defeating Donald Trump."

Rep. Brendan Boyle, (D-PA)

"In all the jobs he's had when it was District Attorney, whether it was the attorney general or whether she was a person on the category of cross examining Supreme Court nominees. She has always been outstanding, and no question in my mind and she will continue to be equally as outstanding."

Willie Brown, Former Mayor of San Francisco

UPDATE (4:44 PM): Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. commented Sunday about President Biden's decision to drop out of the presidential race.

Kennedy held a press conference at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

He commended President Biden for deciding to exit the race, saying that he himself is the best candidate for the job and that he is able to beat former President Donald Trump.

"I want to begin by commending President Biden for a career in public service for a long, long career and representing and serving our country, and for his handling of the many difficulties and challenges, personal challenges and tragedies he suffered during his life with so much admirable conduct and the empathy that he derived from those experiences that he was always proficient at showing to the rest of us.

If people want more of the same they can vote Democrat and they can vote Republican. The only way we're going to get a change in this country is if people come together on one candidate who is independent, who has vowed to have a unity government, to bring Republicans and Democrats and others all together in a way that finds common ground in our country, a candidate who's the only candidate, who's pro choice, who's pro environment, who's pro civil rights, and who beats Donald Trump by 14% there is no other candidate who can beat Donald Trump. Look at all the polls over the last year. I beat Donald Trump and nobody else can."

UPDATE (4:31 PM): Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday saying "Ukraine is grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine's fight for freedom."

The Ukrainian leader posted a statement on social media which says in part, "Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be remembered as bold steps taken by president biden in response to challenging times. And we respect today's tough but strong decision."

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, President Biden has backed U.S. support for the Ukrainian war effort.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has been a guest at the White House during the Biden administration and President Biden visited President Zelenskyy in Kyiv in February of 2023.

Earlier Sunday, Biden announced he will end his campaign for reelection.

UPDATE (4:17 PM): Vice President Kamala Harris is now officially a candidate for president.

Shortly after President Biden announced he is exiting the 2024 race, new filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show that the "Biden for President" committee has changed its name to "Harris for President."

A letter to the FEC says, "Vice President Harris is no longer a candidate in the 2024 election for Vice President. Vice President Harris is now a candidate for United States president in the 2024 election."

The Democratic ticket will be formally nominated next month at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.

UPDATE (3:51 PM): Across the nation, voters are reacting to President Biden's announcement that he's dropping out of the presidential race.

Some expressed surprise, others say they saw it coming, and many are trying to process the news while wondering what might happen next.

One San Diego resident said, "Honestly, kind of indifferent, but if I had to be a little honest. Based on what I do know and what I've seen. Based on Joe Biden's state of mind, I probably think it's for the best."

Over in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Donald Trump was nearly assassinated last weekend, voters are reacting to the breaking news:

"I don't know. That's I think that's the scary part of it all is that we just don't know whether anything's gonna happen. You know, like, we don't know where it's gonna go. And now it kind of shows that people's votes don't really matter. No. matter who you vote for. Democrat, Republican, it doesn't matter. Just does our vote even count anymore."

Carrie Robb, Pennsylvania Voter

"It's certainly dragging it out. And I don't know I just think those are all good things for Trump to win in November."

Karen Barnett, Pennsylvania Voter

"I'm looking forward to the the future. What's gonna happen now? Who's gonna win the race, and this is gonna be exciting."

Angela Bost, Pennsylvania Voter

UPDATE (3:32 PM): One of President Biden's strongest allies is echoing his call for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the new Democratic nominee.

In a statement, South Carolina Representative James Clyburn touted Mr. Biden's accomplishments as president, saying he "improved the lives of countless Americans" through his service.

Clyburn said he's "proud to follow" President Biden's lead in supporting vice president harris to be the Democratic Party's nominee for president.

Rep. Clyburn's endorsement of Joe Biden in 2020 was seen as giving biden a major boost in his bid to become the Democratic nominee against Donald Trump.

UPDATE (3:24 PM): Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) has issued the following statement after President Biden announced that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race:

"President Joe Biden has been an extraordinary leader. For decades, he has put the needs of America over his own personal agenda, and today’s decision is another demonstration of that. I have no doubt that history will treat him as one of America's greatest and most effective Presidents.   

We should all take a moment to reflect on his many accomplishments. He led the nation's recovery from the pandemic, strengthened the American economy and created historic job growth, provided much needed stability and leadership to our global alliances, and produced historic gains in the fight to limit climate change. And especially close to my heart, we worked together to provide critically needed care to millions of veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.  

Now, President Biden has provided an historic demonstration of selfless leadership, and created an exciting opportunity to energize the American people and build on his many accomplishments. 

Moving forward, our top priorities must be to protect democracy and ensure opportunity for all Americans. I am excited and proud that our party has so many qualified leaders who can help ensure that. Any one of them would be a dramatic improvement over the autocratic convicted felon nominated by the Republican party.    

Unlike Donald Trump, our nominee will be committed to personal freedom, equal opportunity, and equal rights for all. Unlike Donald Trump, our nominee will put the needs of working families over their own personal greed. Unlike Donald Trump, our nominee will not offer to sell out our children's future in exchange for a billion dollars in contributions from big oil companies. Unlike Donald Trump, our nominee will pledge to respect the will of the voters.   

While we will need a few days to develop a process that ensures a fair outcome representing the will of the majority of Democratic voters, I intend to support Vice President Kamala Harris. As Attorney General, US Senator, and Vice President, she has shown her commitment to all of these principles. And, through her partnership with President Biden, she has developed experience and knowledge unmatched by any other potential candidate. I stand with Kamala Harris and will do everything I can to help her make history, put people over politics, and protect the American Dream."

UPDATE (2:53 PM): GOP Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance called President Biden "the worst president in my lifetime" in response to the news Biden is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.

The Ohio senator's statement on X then goes at Vice President Kamala Harris saying:

"She co-signed Biden's open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. She owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about biden's mental capacity--saddling the nation with a president who can't do the job."

Vance finishes his statement saying, "President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoever's at the top of the Democratic ticket. Bring it on."

Vance, who was elected to the Senate in 2022, was revealed to be former President Trump's pick for Vice President last week at the Republican National Convention (RNC).

UPDATE (2:41 PM): Arizona Senator Mark Kelly has issued the following statement on his X account about President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race:

"@JoeBiden has been one of the most consequential presidents in history. He led us out of the pandemic, took historic steps to bring back microchip and clean energy manufacturing and rebuild our infrastructure, and he has strengthened our alliances and made our country safer.

It takes great humility to make the difficult decision that President Biden has made to not seek re-election, but that’s the Joe Biden I know — someone who puts what he believes is best for his country above all else."

Kelly also made an X post sharing his thoughts on Biden endorsing Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee:

I couldn’t be more confident that Vice President @KamalaHarris is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future. She has my support for the nomination, and Gabby and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States. 🇺🇸

— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) July 21, 2024

UPDATE (2:34 PM): Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has issued the following statement about President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race on her X account:

"President Biden is the embodiment of a public servant. Throughout his career, he has led with integrity, selflessness, and unparalleled empathy. His decision today is a clear reflection of these qualities and his commitment to putting the American people first.

As President, he has delivered for the United States and for Arizona. Our state is benefitting from once-in-a-lifetime investments that are creating thousands of good-paying jobs for Arizonans and accelerating our economy, all while rebuilding our infrastructure and reviving American manufacturing.

I look forward to continuing Arizona’s partnership with the Biden Administration for the final months of his term, and I know his dedication to moving our state forward remains steadfast."

UPDATE (1:23 PM): Vice President Kamala Harris has issued a statement following President Biden's announcement that he's bowing out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsing her as the Democratic nominee:

"On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office.

It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of father—and the kind of man—he was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joe's leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people.

With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else.

I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. 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.

We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win."

UPDATE (12:53 PM): Soon after President Biden announced that he was pulling out of the 2024 campaign on Sunday, Jamie Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), offered his thought to Biden dropping out of the race:

"I am emotional about president's decision because this President, Joe Biden, has been a transformational president. He's been a great leader, he's a good man, a decent man. He's done so much for this nation, so much...to see us as people, value us, fight for us.

I think about the transformational things we have seen over the course of these past three and a half years, from the investment into our climate... fighting against the climate crisis, helping those burdened by student loans, bringing down the cost of prescription drugs. It has been transformational as it relates to what he has done and what he has accomplished.

I'm emotional because I am still, still riding with Biden. I still support my president. And we will get through this, my friends, as we always do. So I just wanted to put that on record that I love Joe Biden, and I'm so appreciative of his leadership over these years.

Following that, House Speaker Mike Johnson is calling on President Biden to resign from office, saying, in a social media post, that if "Biden is not fit to run for office, he is not fit to serve as president," while adding that Biden should resign "immediately."

Below is social media reaction from politicans, including former President Donald Trump and 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…

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 21, 2024

Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded – again – that he’s a patriot of the highest order.

Here’s my full statement: https://t.co/Bs2ZumFXxe

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 21, 2024

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.

Thank you, @JoeBiden. https://t.co/HMUMEB1fTl

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 21, 2024

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…

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 21, 2024

Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu

— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024

Joe Biden has served our country with honor and dignity.

As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history.

Thank you, Mr. President, for all you’ve done.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 21, 2024

President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure America’s global leadership over…

— Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) July 21, 2024

As President, Joe Biden has been — and is — an exceptional leader. He is responsible for developing and signing the most significant investment in climate solutions into law. He helped our nation navigate a global pandemic, ushered in an economic recovery that has created…

— Al Gore (@algore) July 21, 2024

My statement on President Biden’s announcement. pic.twitter.com/HKRAkz0Ljv

— Senator Laphonza Butler (@Senlaphonza) July 21, 2024

UPDATE (12:07 PM): Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) President Heather Williams has issued a statement following President Biden announcing he has dropped out of the 2024 race:

"President Joe Biden deserves our deep gratitude for his lifetime of public service and leadership. For the past four years, we have made progress together to reverse Trump's dangerous policies and worked tirelessly to defend our fundamental freedoms and democracy. Now, the growing threat of a second Trump term means Democrats at all levels of the ballot must unite against the MAGA agenda and the catastrophic impacts it has on the everyday lives of Americans.

As we thank President Biden for all he has done, we must recommit to the vital work of building strong campaigns in states across the country and winning this election by supporting Democrats up and down the ticket."

UPDATE (12:00 PM): In the letter obtained by NBC News, Biden said:

"It has been the greatest honor of my lift to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, 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."

President Biden has been home in Delaware with COVID symptoms at the time of the announcement.

NBC News says Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance, suggested on Saturday that Biden should leave office.

Biden's exit comes less than a month before the Democrats are scheduled to hold their nominating convention in Chicago, which starts on August 19.

UPDATE (11:26 PM): Following the announcement, President Biden posted a letter on his X account, reiterating that he's stepping out the 2024 race and said he will address the nation later this week.

In another post on X, Biden announced he's endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee for the Democratic Party.

A senior campaign official said they were informed of the president's decision shortly before the letter went out.

(KYMA, KECY/AP) - President Joe Biden has made the announcement that he will end his 2024 run for re-election on Sunday.

According to the Associated Press, the announcement comes almost one month following the first presidential debate between him and former President Donald Trump.

The Associated Press says Biden's debate performance "raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election."

KYMA will keep you updated on this breaking news story.