President Joe Biden harbors no regrets regarding his decision. In an exclusive interview, his first since departing the White House in January, the 82-year-old leader reflected on the strategic timing of his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to take the helm against incumbent President Donald Trump.
As Biden, who bowed out of the race last July, looks back, he does not believe that stepping aside any sooner would have altered the eventual outcome, where Trump emerged victorious over Harris. "I don't think it would have mattered," he mused during a BBC interview aired on May 7. "We exited at a juncture when we had a formidable candidate, fully funded and ready to rumble. What transpired was that what we embarked upon—defying all odds—became so successful, with our agenda thriving, that it was nearly impossible to contemplate cessation midstream."
Biden elaborated, "I stood by my word from the onset, prepared to entrust the baton to the next generation, to the transitional government. Yet, events unfolded at such a breakneck pace, making it excruciatingly difficult to disembark. It was, indeed, a monumental decision."
Nonetheless, the seasoned politician stands firm in his conviction, unrepentant about his withdrawal. "I believe it was the prudent choice," he affirmed. "It was, admittedly, a wrenching decision."
Almost a year has elapsed since Biden announced his withdrawal, with Harris eventually stepping into his shoes alongside running mate Tim Walz. In July, Biden issued a heartfelt statement on social media, declaring, "Serving as your President has been the zenith of my life's honors. Though my intention was to seek reelection, I am convinced that stepping aside serves the best interests of my party and our nation, allowing me to concentrate solely on fulfilling my presidential duties until my term concludes."
In a subsequent message, the Democratic leader exhorted his party to endorse Harris as his successor. "My fellow Democrats, I have resolved not to accept the nomination, focusing all my energies on fulfilling my presidential duties till the end of my term," he disclosed. "My very first decision as the party's nominee in 2020 was to select Kamala Harris as my Vice President. It remains the wisest decision I have ever made."
Despite her defeat alongside running mate JD Vance, Harris remained optimistic about the future. In her November concession speech, she vowed, "Today, my heart overflows with gratitude for the trust bestowed upon me, with love for our country, and with unwavering resolve. The election's outcome was not what we desired, fought for, or voted for. But heed my words: the beacon of America's promise will continue to shine brightly, as long as we never surrender and keep fighting."
While maintaining a low profile in the months following Trump's inauguration, Harris has gradually returned to the limelight. This was evident in her surprise appearance at the Met Gala on May 5, alongside her husband Doug Emhoff, celebrating the theme "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style."
