Joe Biden endorses Kamala Harris after dropping out of 2024 presidential race: Live

Kamala Harris, who said on Sunday afternoon she needs to vie for the Democratic nomination, now needs a running mate.

Learn more about the likely candidates from The Independent’s Eric Garcia:

Vice President Kamala Harris has released her first statement since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race.

“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” the vice president said. “Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead.”

The Democratic National Committee said they will announce the plan to name a new nominee in the coming days.

“I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda,” Harris continued.

Former president Barack Obama praised President Joe Biden’s decision to “pass the torch” to another candidate ahead of November.

“I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life,” Obama said.

“We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead,” he continued. “But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”

Obama had privately supported Biden dropping out of the race, according to media reports over the last week.

Read the former president’s full statement here:

President Joe Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor after dropping out of the 2024 race.

If Harris launches a presidential campaign, she will have access to Biden’s campaign funds. This is because they registered their campaign under both names, the Associated Press reports.

Donors also don’t have the right to a refund automatically, according to the AP. While some donors could sue, legal experts told the outlet they would almost certainly not succeed.

MAGA Inc., a Super PAC supporting Donald Trump, said they will begin airing an attack ad against Kamala Harris “ASAP” in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.

Following weeks of pressure and speculation, Joe Biden announced in a letter on Sunday, July 21, that he would drop out of the race for the White House and was backing his vice president, Kamala Harris, to take his place.

Following a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27, when he appeared confused and frail, made several gaffes, and lost his train of thought, more than 30 Democratic lawmakers publicly called for him to end his candidacy in favor of a younger candidate. Senior voices behind the scenes – like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer – were said to be encouraging him to step aside.

Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent representing Vermont, commented on Biden dropping out of the race.

“Joe Biden has served our country with honor and dignity,” Sanders wrote on X.

“As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history,” he continued. “Thank you, Mr. President, for all you’ve done.”

Representative Nancy Pelosi, after reportedly telling President Joe Biden he can’t win in November, praised his leadership after dropping out of the 2024 race.

“President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first,” Pelosi said. “His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history.”

Earlier this week, CNN reported that the senior Democrat told the president over the phone that polling indicates he could not beat Donald Trump come November. Pelosi was reportedly a major player in the campaign to pressure Biden to bow out of the race.

“With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment,” Pelosi continued. “God blessed America with Joe Biden’s greatness and goodness.”