Biden says ‘passing the torch’ to defend democracy, unite nation

US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he pulled out of the race against Republican Donald Trump over concerns about the future of US democracy, explaining he was stepping aside to allow a new generation to take over in his first public remarks since ending his re-election bid.

In an Oval Office address, Biden invoked previous presidents Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln as he described his love for the office that he will leave in six months, capping a half century in public office.

“I revere this office,” Biden said. “But I love my country more.”

Biden, 81, rebuffed weeks of pressure from Democrats to step aside after a disastrous debate performance on June 27, saying at one point that only the “Lord Almighty” could convince him to go. He spent days soul-searching and agonizing over internal polling that showed he could lose to Trump in November and drag down fellow Democrats with him before stepping aside.

“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,” Biden said.

He praised Vice President Kamala Harris, who, after his endorsement, secured enough Democratic delegates to become the Democratic nominee in his place.