Joe Biden says he quit presidential race to unite party and country | BBC News

Summary

In an address from the Oval Office, President Biden reflects on his presidency, highlighting achievements such as economic growth, healthcare reforms, and climate action. Emphasizing the importance of democracy, he announces his decision to step down to allow new leadership, praising Vice President Harris. Biden urges Americans to choose unity and continue working together to protect democracy, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve and belief in the nation's capacity for greatness.

Takeaways

• 🇺🇸 President Biden speaks from the Oval Office, referencing portraits of past presidents.
• 📜 Biden emphasizes the importance of democracy and the need to defend it.
• 🔄 He believes America is at a critical inflection point with decisions affecting the future for decades.
• 🗳️ The choice between moving forward or backward, hope or hate, and unity or division is crucial.
• 🤝 Biden stresses the importance of seeing fellow Americans as not enemies but as countrymen.
• 🔔 Announcing his decision, Biden chooses to pass the torch to a new generation for the sake of unity and democracy.
• 📆 He plans to continue his presidential duties over the next six months, focusing on key issues like economy, freedoms, and civil rights.
• 🌍 Biden aims to maintain America's global leadership, especially regarding NATO, Ukraine, China, and the Middle East.
• 🏛️ He calls for Supreme Court reform to protect democracy and continues efforts against gun violence, climate crisis, and cancer.
• 🇺🇸 Emphasizing his achievements, Biden highlights job creation, economic growth, reducing the racial wealth gap, and healthcare advancements.

Q & A

What are the key historical figures mentioned by the speaker, and why are they significant?

The speaker mentions Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt. These figures are significant for their contributions to American democracy: Jefferson for his foundational writings, Washington for establishing the precedent of civilian leadership, Lincoln for advocating unity, and Roosevelt for his leadership during challenging times.

Why does the speaker believe America is at an 'inflection point'?

The speaker believes America is at an inflection point because the decisions made now will significantly impact the nation's future, determining whether it moves forward with unity and democracy or backward with division and hate.

What does the speaker mean by passing the torch to a new generation?

By 'passing the torch to a new generation,' the speaker means stepping aside to allow younger leaders with fresh perspectives to guide the nation, suggesting that it is time for new voices to take on leadership roles.

What accomplishments does the speaker highlight from their presidency?

The speaker highlights several accomplishments, including economic recovery, job creation, healthcare expansion, lowering prescription drug costs, climate initiatives, gun safety laws, and diplomatic efforts such as ending wars and strengthening alliances.

What future actions does the speaker pledge to continue working on?

The speaker pledges to continue focusing on lowering costs for families, defending personal freedoms and civil rights, combating climate change, advocating for Supreme Court reform, and maintaining national and global security.

What is the speaker's stance on democracy and public service?

The speaker emphasizes a deep commitment to democracy, stating that defending it is more important than personal ambition. They stress the importance of honesty, decency, and respect in public life and encourage unity and participation from the American people.

How does the speaker describe America's progress since their inauguration?

The speaker describes America's progress as significant, noting recovery from a pandemic, economic crisis, and attacks on democracy. They highlight a strong economy, reduced crime rates, improved racial equity, and advancements in technology and infrastructure.

What message does the speaker convey about the power and responsibility of the American people?

The speaker conveys that the power and responsibility to preserve democracy lie in the hands of the American people. They emphasize that history is shaped by the collective actions of ordinary citizens and that America's strength comes from unity and shared values.

What personal reflections does the speaker share about their journey and service?

The speaker reflects on their personal journey from humble beginnings to serving as president, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to lead. They emphasize the unique opportunities America provides and their deep commitment to serving the nation.

What symbolic references does the speaker use to emphasize their message?

The speaker references historical figures, the Resolute desk, and quotes from Benjamin Franklin to emphasize the importance of democracy and public service. They also highlight the symbolism of American ideals like equality and freedom in shaping the nation's identity.

Outlines

00:00

🇺🇸 Presidential Address from the Oval Office

President Biden speaks from the Oval Office, referencing past presidents and emphasizing the honor of serving as President. He underscores the importance of democracy and the nation's foundational values, urging Americans to remember that the task of perfecting the Union is a collective effort.

05:02

🔄 America at an Inflection Point

Biden discusses America's critical decision-making moment, stressing the need to choose between progress and regression, unity and division. He expresses faith in American values such as honesty, decency, respect, and democracy. He highlights the importance of character in public life and his commitment to truth and unity.

10:04

🌟 Passing the Torch

Acknowledging his belief in a second term, Biden announces his decision to step aside for a new generation. He emphasizes the necessity of uniting his party and the country to protect democracy, highlighting the significance of fresh voices in leadership. He commits to continuing his work as President over the next six months.

🔧 Priorities for the Future

Biden outlines his ongoing commitments: lowering costs for families, growing the economy, defending personal freedoms and civil rights, and combating hate and extremism. He reaffirms his dedication to addressing gun violence, climate crisis, and cancer, as well as advocating for Supreme Court reform to safeguard democracy.

🌍 Global Leadership

The President emphasizes America's leadership in the world, detailing efforts to strengthen alliances, support Ukraine, and manage relations with China. He highlights progress in ending conflicts, securing the release of detained Americans, and the importance of American global leadership in maintaining peace and security.

📈 Achievements and Progress

Reflecting on his term, Biden notes significant achievements: economic recovery, job creation, wage growth, inflation reduction, racial wealth gap narrowing, and advancements in manufacturing and innovation. He highlights legislative successes in healthcare, veterans' support, climate action, and gun safety, and underscores ongoing efforts to secure the border and appoint a diverse administration.

🗽 The Soul of America

Biden reiterates his belief in the enduring strength of American ideals, citing foundational principles of equality and rights. He calls on Americans to choose the future course of the nation wisely, expressing confidence in Vice President Kamala Harris. He emphasizes the importance of preserving the republic and the collective power of the people in shaping history.

🇺🇸 A Grateful Farewell

In his closing remarks, Biden reflects on his journey from modest beginnings to the presidency, celebrating America's promise and possibilities. He expresses deep gratitude for the support of the American people and stresses the importance of faith, unity, and collective action in preserving democracy and achieving great things together.

Keywords

💡Resolute desk

The Resolute desk is a large, nineteenth-century partner's desk used by several presidents of the United States in the Oval Office. In the video, it symbolizes the gravity and significance of the presidency as the speaker addresses the nation from this iconic piece of furniture.

💡Inflection point

An inflection point refers to a moment of significant change or a turning point. The speaker uses this term to highlight the critical decisions facing the nation, implying that the choices made now will have profound effects on America's future.

💡Democracy

Democracy is a system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives. The speaker emphasizes the importance of defending democracy, suggesting it is under threat and that preserving it is more important than any individual political ambition.

💡Unity

Unity refers to the state of being united or joined as a whole. The speaker calls for unity among Americans, urging them to move beyond divisions and work together to uphold democratic values and address national challenges.

💡Supreme Court reform

Supreme Court reform involves changes to the structure or function of the Supreme Court. The speaker advocates for such reform as a crucial step to protect democracy, indicating a belief that the current system may need adjustments to better serve the nation.

💡Climate crisis

The climate crisis refers to the global challenges posed by climate change, including extreme weather, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation. The speaker identifies it as an existential threat, stressing the need for continued efforts to combat it.

💡American ideals

American ideals encompass the core values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The speaker reflects on these principles as foundational to the nation's identity, urging citizens to uphold and strive toward these enduring values.

💡Public service

Public service involves serving the community or nation through governmental roles or civic duties. The speaker describes his dedication to public service, framing it as a noble endeavor focused on improving the lives of citizens and safeguarding democratic institutions.

💡Economic growth

Economic growth refers to the increase in the production of goods and services over time. The speaker cites the creation of nearly 16 million new jobs and rising wages as evidence of economic growth under his administration, portraying it as a key achievement.

💡Racial wealth gap

The racial wealth gap is the disparity in median wealth between different racial groups. The speaker notes that this gap is at its lowest in 20 years, presenting it as a significant accomplishment in the pursuit of economic equity and social justice.

Highlights

President Biden expresses his reverence for the office and love for the country.

Biden emphasizes the importance of democracy and the stakes involved in its defense.

The president highlights America's inflection point and the critical decisions ahead.

Biden asks if character in public life still matters, reinforcing his belief in American goodness.

The president reaffirms his promise to always tell the truth to the American people.

Biden acknowledges the need to unite his party and prioritize saving democracy over personal ambition.

He announces his decision to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders.

Biden plans to focus on lowering costs for hardworking families and growing the economy.

He commits to defending personal freedoms and civil rights, including the right to vote and choose.

The president emphasizes his fight against hate and extremism, and his commitment to non-violence.

Biden will continue efforts to protect kids from gun violence and address the climate crisis.

He highlights the importance of Supreme Court reform for democracy.

The president boasts about the U.S. not being at war and strengthening international alliances.

Biden stresses the significance of America's leadership in global issues, such as Ukraine and the Middle East.

He reflects on the progress made since his inauguration, including economic recovery and healthcare improvements.

Transcripts

my fellow

Americans I'm speaking to you tonight

from behind the Resolute desk in the

Oval Office in this Sacred Space I'm

surrounded by portraits extraordinary

American Presidents Thomas Jefferson

wrote The Immortal words that guide this

nation George Washington who showed US

presidents are not Kings Abraham Lincoln

who implored us to reject

malice Franklin Roosevelt who inspired

us to reject

fear I Revere this office but I love my

country more it's been the honor of my

life to serve as your

president but in the defense of

democracy which is a stake I think is

more important than any

title 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 your families

your futures it's about we the

people we can never forget that and I

never

have I've made it clear that I believe

America is at an inflection point one of

those rare moments in history when the

decisions we make now will determine our

fate of our nation and the world for

decades to

come America's going to have to choose

between moving forward or backward

between hope and hate between unity and

division we have to decide do we still

believe in honesty decency

respect freedom justice and

democracy in this

moment we can see those we disagree with

not as enemies or but as as fellow

Americans can we do that does character

in public life still

matter I believe I know the answer to

these questions because I know you the

American people and I know this we are a

great nation because we are good

people when you would like to me to this

office I promise to always level with

you to tell you the

truth and the truth the sacred cause of

this country is larger than any one of

us

and those of us who Cherry that cause

cherish it so much a cause of American

democracy itself must unite to protect

it you know in recent weeks it's become

clear to me I need to unite my party in

this critical

Endeavor I believe my record as

president my leadership in the world my

vision for America's

future all merited a second term but

nothing nothing can come in the way of

saving our

democracy that includes personal

ambition so I've decided the best way

forward is to pass the torch to a new

generation that's the best way to unite

our

nation you know 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 yet younger

voices and that time and place is

now over the next 6 months I'll be

focused on doing my job as

president that means I'll continue to

lower cost for hardworking

families grow our

economy I'll keep defending our personal

freedoms and our civil rights from the

right to vote to the right to

choose I'll keep calling out hate and

extremism make it clear there is no

place no place in America for political

violence or any violence that ever

period I'm going to keep keep speaking

out to protect our kids from gun

violence our planet from climate crisis

that is the existential

threat and I will keep fighting my for

my cancer moonshot so we can end cancer

as we know it because we can do

it I'm going to call for Supreme Court

reform because this is CR critical to

our democracy Supreme Court

reform you know I will keep working to

ensure American remains strong and

secure and the leader of the Free

World I'm the first president in this

Century to report to the American people

that the United States is not at War

anywhere in the

world we'll keep rallying a coalition of

proud Nations to stop Putin from taking

over Ukraine doing more damage we'll

keep NATO stronger and I'll make it more

powerful and more united than any time

in all of our history I'll keep doing

the same for allies in the

Pacific you know when I came to office

the conventional wisdom was that China

would inevitably would inevitably pass

the unit surpass the United

States that's not the case

anymore and I'm going to keep working to

end the war in Gaza bring home all

hostages and bring peace and security to

the Middle East and end this

war we're also working around the clock

to bring home Americans being unjustly

detained all around the

world you know we've come so far since

my

inauguration on that day I told you as I

stood in that winter we stood in a

winter of peril and a winter of

possibilities Peril and possibilities

we're in the grip of the we were in the

grip of the worst pandemic in the

century the worst economic crisis since

the Great

Depression the worst attack on our

democracy since the Civil

War we came together as

Americans we got through it we merged

stronger more prosperous and more secure

today we have the strongest economy in

the world creating nearly 16 million new

jobs a record wages are up inflation

continues to come down the racial wealth

Gap is the lowest has been in 20 years

we're literally rebuilding our entire

nation Urban Suburban Rural and tribal

communities manufacturing has come back

to America we're leading the world again

in chips and Science and

Innovation we finally beat big Farm

after all these years to lower the cost

of prescription drugs for seniors and

I'm going to keep fighting to make sure

we lower the cost for everyone not just

seniors

more people have health care today in

America than ever

before and I sign one of the most

significant laws helping millions of

veterans and their families who are

exposed to toxic

materials you know most significant

climate law ever ever in the history of

the

world the first major gun safety law in

30 years today violent the violent crime

rate is at a 50-year low we're also

securing our

border border crossings are lower today

than when the previous administration

left

office I've kept my commitment to

appoint the first black woman to the

Supreme Court of the United States of

America I also kept my commitment to

have an Administration that looks like

America and be a president for all

Americans that's what I've

done I ran for president four years

ago because I believe believed and still

do that the soul of America was at stake

the very nature of who we are was at

stake and that's still the

case America is an

idea an idea stronger than any army

bigger than any ocean more powerful than

any dictator or Tyrant it's the most

powerful idea in the history of the

world that idea is that we hold these

truths to be

self-evident we're all created equal in

D our are certain inalienable rights

life liberty Pursuit of

Happiness we've never fully lived up to

it to this sacred idea but we've never

walked away from it either and I do not

believe the American people will walk

away from it

now just a few months the American

people will choose the course of

America's

future I made my

choice I've made my views

known I would like to thank our great

vice president K Harris she 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 when you make that

choice remember the words of Benjamin

Franklin was hanging on my wall here in

the Oval

Office alongside the bus of Dr King in

Rosa Parks and say

shavez when Ben Franken was asked as he

emerg from

the the the convention going on whether

the

founders have given America a monarchy

Republic Franklin response was a

republic if you can keep it a republic

if you can keep it whether we keep our

Republic is now in your hands my fellow

Americans has been the privilege of my

life to serve this nation for over 50

years nowhere else on Earth could a kid

with a

Stutter from Modest Beginnings in

Scranton Pennsylvania Claymont Delaware

one day sit behind the Resolute desk in

the Oval Office as president of the

United States but here I

am that's what's so special about

America we are a nation of promise and

possibilities of dreamers and

doers of ordinary Americans doing

extraordinary things

I've given my heart and my soul to our

nation like so many others I've been

blessed a million times in return with

the love and support of the American

people I hope you have some idea how

grateful I am to all of

you the great thing about America is

here Kings and dictators do not rule the

people

do history is in your hands the power is

in your hands the idea of America lies

in your

hands we just have to keep Faith keep

the faith and remember who we are we're

the United States of America and there's

simply nothing nothing beyond our

capacity when we do it

together so let's act together preserve

our

democracy God bless you all may God

protect our troops thank

you all right President Biden delivering

an address from the Oval Office there

his first public remarks since exiting

from the 2024 presidential race he

delivered an address there talking about

the accomplishments as he put it of his

administration talking about his vice

president and also encouraging Americans

to move forward and he said at the end

there I I've given my heart and soul to

the nation I hope you have some idea of

how grateful I am to all of you