In One of His Final Speeches as President, Biden Says It’s Time for ‘Fresh Voices’

President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office Wednesday night and spoke about his decision to withdraw from the presidential election.

“I draw strength, and I find joy in working for the American people, but this sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me, it’s about you.  It’s about we, the people,” Biden said. “I’ve made it clear that America is at an inflection point. America is going to have to choose between moving forward and backward.”

The speech emphasized points Biden has made over the last four years – indirectly referencing Donald Trump, the former president and Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential race, who has been convicted of 34 felony counts related to a hush money case involving a porn star. Trump has also been widely criticized for his role in the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol which aimed to prevent the electoral vote count certifying Biden as the newly elected president.

Earlier this week when Biden announced his decision not to seek re-election, he became the first president to do so since Lyndon B. Johnson.  Instead, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris who is now the likely Democratic nominee. In the days since that stunning announcement, Democrats have gained momentum in the race, raising a record $100 million in three days.

Almost 40,000 people registered to vote in the 48 hours after President Biden announced he was suspending his reelection campaign and endorsing Vice President Harris, Vote.org said. According to the voting registration nonprofit, 83% of those who registered were between the ages of 18-34.

Harris Campaigns

At the biennial convention of the sorority Zeta Phi Beta, Harris said, “In this moment, I believe we face a choice between two different visions for our nation, one focused on the future, the other focused on the past. And with your support, I am fighting for our nation’s future.”

Her comments and President Biden’s called on Americans to focus on the country’s plans for its tomorrow.

In his Oval Office speech, Biden said he believed his accomplishments during his time in the White House merited a second term, but he thinks it’s time “for new voices, fresh voices, yes – younger voices.”

He described Harris as a “tough, capable” Vice President and asked Americans if “character still matters.”

At a campaign rally in Charlotte Wednesday evening, Trump unleashed a wave of attacks on Harris.

He said, “As you know, three days ago, we officially defeated the worst president in the history of our country, Joe Biden. So now we have a new victim to defeat: lyin’ Kamala Harris … the most incompetent and far-left vice president in American history.”

President Biden is expected to campaign for Harris in the coming weeks, but his overarching theme in what will probably be one of his final speeches as president called on Americans to preserve its democratic values.

“We’re a nation of promise and possibilities,” Biden said. “I give my heart and soul to our nation like so many others, and I’ve been blessed many times and above by the American people. Here kings and dictators do not rule, the people do.”