Biden addressing the nation after withdrawing from the race: I have decided to pass the baton to a new generation to unite our nation

AUTHOR: M.J.
US President Joe Biden addressed the nation for the first time, three days after he decided to withdraw from the race for President of the United States.
"The defense of democracy is more important than any function. I draw strength and find joy in working for the American people. This sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me. It's about you. To your family. Your future. It's about us, about the people," Biden said.
"I decided that the best way is to pass the baton to the new generation. It is the best way to unite our nation," he explained his decision to withdraw as the Democratic candidate for the US presidency.
"I respect this position, but I love my country more. It has been the honor of my life to serve as your President. But the defense of democracy, which is under threat, I think is more important than any office," said Biden.
He added that for the next six months, he will be focused on doing his job as president.
"That means I will continue to reduce costs for hard-working families and grow our economy. I will continue to defend our personal liberties and our civil rights, from the right to vote, to the right to choose. I will continue to fight for our children against gun violence," he said. is the president of America.
"The great thing about America is that kings and dictators don't rule here. People do. History is in your hands. Power is in your hands. The idea of ​​America lies in your hands," Biden said.
"Kamala Harris is experienced, strong, capable. She was an incredible partner and leader of our country," Biden said in his address.
"I will continue to condemn hate and extremism and make it clear that there is no place in America for political violence, or any violence, ever. I will continue to protect our planet from the climate crisis," the US president said in his address to the nation.
Biden called the election year one of those rare moments in history when "the decisions we make now determine the fate of our nation and the world for decades to come."
"Americans will have to choose whether they want to go forward or back, between hope and hate, between unity and division. We have to decide if we still believe in honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice and democracy," added the American president.
"I have had the privilege of serving this nation for over 50 years. I have given my heart and my soul, as have many others. And I have been blessed a million times over by the love and support of the American people. I hope you know how grateful I am to all of you." stated Biden.
In his address to the nation, the President of America did not mention Donald Trump.
A crowd of staff entered the White House early to watch the speech together. One official said gatherings and viewings of the president's address to the nation are being held throughout the White House.
It was the fourth time Biden has used the Oval Office for an address since taking office in 2021. His last speech in the Oval Office was on July 15 when he called on Americans to calm political passions following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Biden was joined in the Oval Office to address the nation by first lady Jill Biden and other members of his family, including his son Hunter Biden.
The first lady of America, Jill Biden, a few minutes after her husband finished addressing the public, wrote on the X social network that her heart was full of gratitude for those who never wavered, who refused to doubt, who always believed.
"Thank you for the trust you put in Joe - now it's time to put that trust in Kamala. I love you, Jill," Biden's wife said.
American President Joe Biden decided on Sunday to end his campaign for a second term in the White House, after a lot of pressure from Democrats, and to support Vice President Kamala Harris as the first African-American presidential candidate of one of the leading parties in American history.
As President Biden addressed the nation, his former opponent was among those watching. Trump watched Biden's 10-minute address from his campaign plane as he left North Carolina after the rally. According to the first photos, Trump listened attentively to the speech.
Trump's adviser Chris Lasivita, however, subsequently posted a different picture on the X platform, showing the former president turned away and not watching Biden speak.
"On Trump's plane. Hey Joe, you're fired!” Lasivita wrote.
In the first reaction to the address of the nation by the President of the United States, the Republican candidate for the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced on his Truth social social network:
"Corrupt Joe Biden's speech in the Oval Office was barely understandable and so bad!" Trump wrote.