Transcript: Biden's speech explaining why he withdrew from the 2024 presidential race


 Among my fellow citizens, Tonight, I'm talking to you from the Oval Office, behind the Resolute Desk. I stand surrounded by images of notable American leaders in this hallowed place. The timeless words that lead this country were written by Thomas Jefferson. George Washington, who demonstrated to us that presidents are not monarchs. Abraham Lincoln, who pleaded with us to shun hatred. It was Franklin Roosevelt who encouraged us to shun fear.

I love my nation more than I love my office.

I have had the greatest honor in my life to be your president. However, I believe it to be more significant than any title in the preservation of democracy, which is in jeopardy.

Serving the American people gives me joy and strength, but this important mission of perfecting our union is not my concern. It concerns you, your loved ones, and your prospects. It is, and always will be, about us, the people. Furthermore, I never have.

As I've stated before, I think that America is at a turning point in its history, where the choices we make today will have a lasting impact on the future of both our country and the whole globe for many years to come.

America will have to decide between unity and division, progress and regression, and optimism and hatred. We must determine if we still value freedom, justice, democracy, decency, and honesty. We may now view those with whom we differ as fellow citizens rather than as adversaries. Is that something we can accomplish? Does personality remained important in public life?

Since I know you, the American people, and I am aware that we are a wonderful country because we are decent people, I think you are aware of the answers to these questions.

I made a pledge to you when you elected me to this position: I would always be honest and straightforward with you. The truth, the nation's holy cause, is greater than any one of us, and those of us who value it highly must band together to defend it because it is essential to American democracy.

You know, it became evident to me in the last few weeks that I needed to bring my party together for this important project. I think that my track record as president, my direction in the My vision for the future of America and the globe as a whole deserved a second term, but nothing, absolutely nothing, can stand in the way of preserving our democracy, even personal ambition.
 
Thus, I've determined that passing the torch to a new generation is the wisest course of action. Our country can best be united in that way. I am aware that there is a place and a time for seasoned public servant expertise, but there is also a place and a time for new voices—yes, younger voices—and that moment is right now.

I will dedicate the next six months to carrying out my duties as president. That implies that I'll keep bringing down expenses for hardworking folks and expanding our economy. I will continue to stand up for our civil rights and personal liberties, including the ability to vote and make our own decisions. I'll keep denouncing bigotry and extremism and stating unequivocally that there is no place for There is never a place for political violence, or any kind of violence, in America. I will not stop advocating for the protection of our children from gun violence and the existential threat posed by the climate disaster on our planet.


And since we can accomplish it, I'll never give up on my cancer moonshot and help put an end to cancer as we know it. And since Supreme Court reform is essential to our democracy, I will make the demand for it. You know that I will not stop trying to make sure that America continues to be the strongest, most secure nation in the world.

As the first president of this century, I am informing the citizens of the United States that we are not engaged in hostilities anyplace in the globe. We'll continue to assembling a coalition of patriotic countries to prevent Putin from annexing Ukraine and causing further harm. I will make NATO more powerful and cohesive than it has ever been, and we will continue to fortify it. I shall continue serving my Pacific allies in the same manner.

You know, the general consensus when I took office was that China would unavoidably overtake the United States. That is no longer the case. And I'm going to keep trying to put an end to this conflict, bring all of the hostages back home, and bring peace and security to the Middle East.

Additionally, we're working nonstop to return Americans who are being wrongfully held abroad home. Well, we've gone a long way.long after my inauguration. We were standing in a winter of potential and danger on that particular day, as I informed you as I stood in that winter. We faced the greatest epidemic of the century, the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and the biggest assault on our democracy since the American Civil War, yet as a nation, we pulled together and overcame it. We came out stronger, wealthier, and safer.

Our economy is the best in the world right now, adding a record 16 million new jobs. The disparity in wealth across races is at its lowest point in two decades, wages are rising, and inflation is still declining. Our entire country is essentially being rebuilt, urban and suburban tribal and rural areas. America has returned to manufacturing.

Again, we're setting the standard for innovation, research, and chips worldwide. After all these years, we've finally defeated Big Pharma to bring prescription medication costs down for seniors, and I'm going to keep working to bring down costs for everyone, not just seniors.

In America today, more individuals than ever before have access to health care. And I also signed into law one of the biggest pieces of legislation to assist millions of veterans and their families who had been exposed to hazardous toxins. You know, the first substantial gun safety measure in thirty years, and the most important climate bill in world history. Also, the rate of violent crime is currently at a 50-year low.

We're protecting our border as well. There are fewer border crossings now than there were during the last administration. And I haven't wavered from my pledge to name the nation's first Black woman to the Supreme Court. I also stood by my promise to serve as president for all Americans and to lead an administration that reflects the diversity of our country.

I have taken that action. Four years ago, I decided to run for president because I still thought that America's spirit was in jeopardy. There was and still is a threat to the fundamental essence of who we are. America is an idea, a concept more potent than any army, greater than any sea, and more formidable than any despot or despotism.

It's the strongest concept in the global history. The notion is that we consider these truths to be obvious. All people are born equal and are entitled to certain unalienable rights, including the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Although we have never entirely lived up to this hallowed principle, we have also never abandoned it, and I don't think the American people will do so at this point.

The destiny of the United States of America will be decided by its citizens in a matter of months. I decided what to do. I spoke my opinions. I express my gratitude to Kamala Harris, our esteemed Vice President. She is capable, tough, and experienced. She has been a fantastic leader for our nation and a great partner. Now, the decision is up to You are the people of America.

When you make that decision, keep Benjamin Franklin's advice in mind. It is displayed on my wall in the Oval Office, next to the busts of Cesar Chavez, Dr. King, and Rosa Parks. Ben Franklin replied, "A republic, if you can keep it," when asked, as he exited from the ongoing conference, if the American founding fathers had intended for America to be a republic or a monarchy. If you can maintain it, a republic. Now it is up to you whether we maintain our republic.

It has been my honor and joy to serve this country for more than 50 years, my fellow citizens. There was nowhere else on the planet where a child from low-income backgrounds in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, one one day take a seat in the Oval Office behind the Resolute Desk as President of the United States, but here I am. That's what makes America unique.

We are a country full of opportunity and promise, of doers and dreamers, of regular people accomplishing remarkable things. Like so many others, I have dedicated my heart and soul to our country. In exchange, the love and support of the American people have been a million times blessings to me. I hope you all realize how appreciative I am of all of you.

The wonderful thing about America is that the people, not monarchs or tyrants, are in charge. You hold the power to change history. The initiative is in your grasp. America's concept is in your hands. We just need to remember who we are and maintain our faith. Nothing is just too big for the United States of America to accomplish when we work together.

So let's take action as a team to protect democracy. May God shield our warriors and provide you all blessings. I'm grateful.

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