US President Joe Biden on Sunday announced in an official statement that he will not seek reelection in the upcoming presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate. Biden assured that he will complete his term, ending in January 2025.
Democrats’ Loss of Faith
The decision follows increasing pressure from Democrat lawmakers who lost confidence in Biden after his poor performance in a recent debate against former President Donald Trump. Republicans have been vocal in their criticism, claiming Biden is “incapable” of completing another term due to his “deteriorating mental acuity.”
Biden’s 2020 Victory and Political Legacy
Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election came during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the nation grappling with high infection rates under Trump’s administration. Biden’s political journey has spanned decades, beginning with his first run for the White House in 1988 as a senator from Delaware. Although he dropped out early in that race, he later served as Vice President under Barack Obama in 2016 before finally winning the presidency in 2020.
Major Achievements of Joe Biden’s Presidency
- Pandemic Relief and Economic Recovery: In March 2021, Biden launched a $1.9 trillion pandemic aid package that temporarily halved child poverty, halted evictions, and contributed to the creation of 15.7 million jobs.
- Infrastructure and Inflation Response: Amid rising inflation and declining popularity, Biden implemented executive actions to resolve global supply chain issues and secured a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, improving internet access and preparing communities for climate change impacts.
- Economic Gains: Salary increases under Biden’s administration outpaced inflation, according to Bloomberg. His tenure saw an increase in government healthcare sign-ups and a decrease in the cost of living, reversing trends from the Trump era.
- Foreign Policy Moves: Biden aimed to compete more aggressively with China, rebuild alliances such as NATO, and completed the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, though the latter led to the death of 13 US service members.
- Support for Ukraine: Biden took a firm stance against Russia, providing extensive military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, a decision that faced criticism from the Republican Party.
- Defense of Abortion Rights: Biden’s administration opposed the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, advocating for the right to safe and legal abortion nationwide, despite many states revoking this right.
Kamala Harris Steps Up
With Biden’s endorsement, Kamala Harris now steps into the spotlight as the Democratic candidate for the upcoming election. Her challenge will be to unite the Democratic Party and counter the Republican narrative as she prepares to face Donald Trump in the 2024 race.
The political landscape is set for a fierce contest, with Harris aiming to build on Biden’s legacy while addressing the pressing issues facing the nation.
