President Biden to Address Nation on Decision to Exit 2024 Race From Oval Office
Washington D.C. – The President of the United States, Joe Biden, is set to address the nation from the Oval Office following his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Biden will focus on explaining the reasons behind this significant decision, and also outline the policy issues he plans to prioritise during the remaining six months of his first term in office.
The precise time of the public address has not been released yet by the White House. This will mark President Biden’s first public appearance after a week-long absence attributed to his recent diagnosis with COVID-19.
Transfer of Democratic Candidacy to Vice President Harris
The President’s sudden exit from the race propels Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominees for the 2024 Presidential Elections. Biden’s decision came to light on Monday following a brief phone call he made into the campaign headquarters of Vice President Harris.
In a recent letter, President Biden expressed his belief that it was in the “best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.” He has also promised to elaborate on his decision later this week in his address to the nation.
President Biden’s Health Update
Last week, President Biden entered self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, his diagnosis, marked by a non-productive cough and hoarseness of voice, led to his last public appearance on July 17.
In an update on Biden’s health, the Physician to the President, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, mentioned that Biden had completed his sixth dose of PAXLOVID. His symptoms have been steadily improving, with his vital signs staying within normal range. The President has been infected with the KP.2.3 variant of the disease, currently accounting for approximately 33.3% of new infections in the United States.
Continuity of Presidential Duties
The White House affirms that President Biden continues to perform all his presidential duties amid treatment and recovery. The physician’s letter stated, “The President continues to tolerate treatment well and will continue PAXLOVID as planned. He continues to perform all his presidential duties.”
Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister
Adding to the president’s schedule, Biden will be meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday at the White House. Commenting on the meeting, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will stand by the U.S “regardless [of] who the American people choose as their next president.”
In conclusion, whilst the nation awaits President Biden’s forthcoming address, the political landscape has been irrevocably altered, with much keen interest to see what the remainder of his term will entail.
