President Joe Biden has made his first national address from the White House since he dropped out of the election race, ending his bid for a second term.
Biden, who has been battling a COVID-19 infection over the past week, looked steely as he sat at the Resolute desk in the Oval Office.
The President spoke on Wednesday, 8pm, local time, explaining his decisions for dropping out of the race.
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“It’s been the honour of my life to serve as your president. But in the defence of democracy which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title,” he said.
“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. And we can never forget that
“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 is 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, but as fellow Americans.”
Biden went on to speak about challenges facing the American people.
“I’m going to 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 so we can end cancer as we know it, because we can do it.
“And I’m going to call for a Supreme Court reform, because this is critical to our democracy, Supreme Court reform. I will keep working to ensure American remains strong and secure.”
Biden pivoted to US Foreign policy, explaining the importance of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
“We’ll keep rallying a coalition of proud nations to stop Putin from taking over Ukraine and doing more damage.
“We’ll keep NATO stronger, and I’ll make it more powerful and more united than at any time in all of our history. I’ll keep doing the same for our allies in the Pacific.”
“I’m going to keep working to end the war in Gaza, bring home all the hostages and bring peace and security to the Middle East and end this war.”
He went on to praise Kamala Harris, who will almost certainly be the Democratic nominee for President.
“I would like to thank our great Vice President, Kamala Harris,” he said.
“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.”
Biden spoke about his backstory from rural Pennsylvania, and his childhood stutter.
“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 of our nation.
“Like so many others, I’ve been blessed a million times in return with the love and support of the American people.
“The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands. You 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. Preserve our democracy. God bless you all and may God protect our troops.”