Joe Biden's Oval Office address: Endorses Kamala Harris, tells Americans 'Republic is in your hands'
Biden Oval Office
US President Joe Biden, in his first public address after dropping out of the 2024 US election, addressed the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday (July 25) and saidhe's passing thetorch to the new generation.
Reiterating his support for 'tough' and 'capable'Kamala Harris as the new Democratic Party Presidential candidate nominee, Biden said, "The Republic is in your hands".
Also read |Biden makes 1st public appearance after exiting US elections, to address America from Oval Office
"She's experienced, she's tough, she's capable. She's been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country. Now, the choice is up to you, the American people," he said.
Biden tells America why he quit the election race
Speaking to theAmerican public, Biden said he quit the election race to "unite his party".
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Addressing the popular debate around his age, the 81-year-old leader said,"There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There's also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices."
Biden said that the "defence of democracy, which is at stake, is more important than any title."
"I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation."
Touting the achievements of his term, Joe Biden said that he is the first US president who can say that America is presently not at war anywhere.
Why was the speech significant?
The July 25 speech was significant for two reasons:
Number one - This was possibly the last Oval Office speech ofJoe Biden, the 46th and current President of the United States.
Number two - Joe Biden's first public speech sinceannouncing his withdrawal from the presidential elections, used the Oval Office of the White House, a powerfully symbolic setting used by US presidents for moments of grave historical importance
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Before this, President Joe Biden used the Oval Office thrice: in October 2023, to seek additional funding for war-torn Ukraine;in June 2023, wrapping up the debt ceiling drama that had Washington and the financial markets on tenterhooks for weeks, and recently on Sunday (Jul 14) to ask Americans to cool down after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Did Biden mention Trump?
While Biden did not mention Republican presidential nominee and political rival Donald Trump by name, he did refer to him as a 'tyrant' in a thinly veiled reference.
Callingthe United States the "most powerful idea," in world history, the incumbent US presidentin his televised speech from the Oval Office said"America's an idea, an idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant."
He warned the American public thatdemocracy is at stake in the November election. Rejectingaccusations that he will be a lame duck for the rest of his one-term presidency, he said,"Over the next six months I will be focused on doing my job as president,"adding that he would keep trying to lower costs for families and defend freedoms including the right to abortion.
(With inputs from agencies)
