Here's What Led To Joe Biden's Exit From 2024 US Presidential Race

US President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will not seek reelection in the 2024 US presidential race. Instead, he has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate.

This decision has sent ripples through the political landscape of the country.

Biden's withdrawal follows a poor debate performance against former president Donald Trump. The Republican Party had repeatedly him for his perceived inability to complete another term.

This debate failure led many Democrat lawmakers to urge Biden to step down as the presidential candidate.

Key Meetings Before the Announcement

The first person Biden informed about his decision was Vice President Kamala Harris, according to The Washington Post. He also held individual meetings with White House chief of staff Jeff Zients and his campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon.

Zients then convened a meeting with Biden's campaign and White House staff at 1:45 pm, where Biden briefed them on his decision. A formal announcement was made to the entire White House staff around 2:30 pm on Sunday.

Biden's decision came after multiple discussions over the weekend with key advisors at his vacation house. These included White House counselor Steve Ricchetti, senior campaign adviser Mike Donilon, deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini, and senior adviser to the first lady Anthony Bernal, as reported by The Washington Post.

Reasons Behind Biden's Withdrawal

The calls for Biden to drop out intensified after his debate debacle against Trump on June 27. Although Biden attributed his performance to jet lag and international travel, many within the Democrat Party urged him to withdraw from the race.

Over the past week, opposition from within his party grew stronger, with 36 congressional Democrats publicly calling for him to step down due to concerns over his mental acuity, Reuters reported.

Lawmakers expressed fears that if Biden continued his reelection bid and won, it could cost them not only the White House but also control of either chamber of Congress next year. Sources told Reuters that Biden had a "last minute change of heart" and only decided to drop out on Sunday afternoon after several meetings with top advisors.

Biden's endorsement of Kamala Harris marks a significant shift in the Democratic campaign strategy for the upcoming election. The party now rallies behind Harris as they prepare for a challenging contest against Donald Trump.