President Joe Biden addressed the American people Wednesday in a rare appearance in the Oval Office about his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential contest and what to anticipate from him in the upcoming six months.
The speech’s complete transcript can be found below.
THE PRESIDENT: To my fellow citizens, Tonight, I’m talking to you from the Oval Office behind the Resolute Desk.
I am surrounded by portraits of notable American presidents in this hallowed area. Thomas Jefferson, whose timeless words serve as this country’s compass. We learned from George Washington that presidents are not kings. Abraham Lincoln, who pleaded with us to avoid hatred. Franklin Roosevelt encouraged us to face our fears.
I love my country more than I love this office.
Serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life. However, I believe it is more significant than any title in the defense of democracy, which is at risk.
Working for the American people gives me strength and makes me happy. It’s not about me, though, this holy work of perfecting our Union. It concerns you, your loved ones, and your prospects. “We the People” are the focus. I have never forgotten that, and neither can we.
I have stated unequivocally that I think America is at a turning point, one of the few times in history when the choices we make today will affect the course of our country and the world for many years to come. America will have to decide between going forward and going backward, between unity and division, between hope and hate.
We must determine whether we still value freedom, justice, democracy, and honesty, decency, and respect.
We can now view people with whom we disagree as friends and fellow Americans rather than as enemies. Is that possible? Does morality still matter in public life?
Because I know you, the American people, I think I know the answers to these questions.
And I am aware that the reason we are a great country is because we are good people.
I vowed to always be honest and level with you when you elected me to this position. The truth is that this nation’s sacred cause is greater than any one of us.
And those of us who value that cause—the cause of American democracy itself—must band together to defend it.
I realized in the last few weeks that I needed to bring my party together for this important undertaking. Nothing — nothing — can stop us from preserving our democracy, even though I think my record as president, my leadership in the world, and my outlook for America’s future all deserved a second term. Personal ambition is part of that.
I have therefore concluded that passing the torch to a new generation is the best course of action. That’s the best way to bring our country together.
I am aware that years of experience in public life have their place and time. However, there is also a place and a time for fresh voices, including younger ones. And right now is that moment and location.
I’ll be concentrating on carrying out my duties as president for the next six months. This implies that I will keep cutting expenses for hardworking families and expanding our economy. I’ll continue to stand up for our civil rights and individual liberties, including the freedom to vote and make our own decisions. Furthermore, I will continue to denounce hate and extremism and to emphasize that political violence, or any violence for that matter, has no place in America.
To protect our children from gun violence and our planet from the climate crisis, I will continue to speak out. The existential threat is what it is.
And because we can, I will continue to fight for my Cancer Moonshot in order to put an end to cancer as we know it.
And because Supreme Court reform is so important to our democracy, I will advocate for it.
I will continue to work to keep America safe, strong, and at the forefront of the free world, you know.
In this century, I am the first president to inform the American people that there is no war going on in the world.
I will continue to mobilize a group of proud countries to prevent Putin from annexing Ukraine and causing further harm.
I’ll maintain NATO’s strength and make it more unified and powerful than it has ever been. And I will continue to do the same for our Pacific allies.
You know, the general consensus when I took office was that China would eventually surpass the United States without fail. That is no longer the case.
And I will continue to work to bring peace and security to the Middle East, bring all the hostages home, and put an end to the war in Gaza.
Additionally, we’re working nonstop to bring home Americans who are being wrongfully detained all over the world.
We’ve come a long way since my inauguration, you know. As I stood there that day in that winter, I told you that we were standing in a time of both danger and opportunity.
The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War, and the worst pandemic in a century were all upon us. However, as Americans, we united and overcame it.
We came out safer, wealthier, and more resilient.
And we now have the world’s strongest economy, setting a record of almost 16 million new jobs. Wages have increased. The rate of inflation is still declining. This is the smallest racial wealth disparity in 20 years.
Our entire country is being rebuilt, including rural, suburban, urban, and tribal communities.
America is once again a manufacturing nation. We are once again at the forefront of innovation, science, and chips worldwide.
And after years of fighting Big Pharma, we finally succeeded in bringing down the price of prescription medications for the elderly. And I will continue to fight to ensure that everyone, not just seniors, pays less.
In America today, more people have access to health care than ever before. Additionally, I helped millions of veterans and their families who were exposed to toxic materials by signing one of the most important laws.
It’s the most important climate law in the world’s history, you know. the first significant gun control law in three decades. Additionally, the rate of violent crime is at its lowest level in fifty years.
We’re fortifying our border as well. Compared to when the previous administration left office, there are fewer border crossings now.
Additionally, I adhered to my promise to name the first Black woman to the US Supreme Court. Additionally, I remained true to my pledge to lead an administration that reflects America and to serve as president for all Americans. I have done just that.
I still feel that America’s soul is at stake, which is why I ran for president four years ago. It was about the essence of who we are. And that remains true today.
America is an idea, a concept more potent than any army, greater than any ocean, and more potent than any tyrant or dictator. It is the most potent concept in world history.
According to that theory, we believe these facts to be self-evident. All people are created equal and have certain inalienable rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Although we have never completely lived up to this sacred concept, we have also never abandoned it. Furthermore, I don’t think the American people will abandon it just yet.
The future of America will be decided by the American people in a matter of months.
I made up my mind. I’ve expressed my opinions.
I want to express my gratitude to Kamala Harris, our wonderful vice president. She has experience. She is tough. She is competent. She has been a leader for our nation and an amazing partner to me.
It is now up to you, the American people, to decide.
When you make that decision, keep in mind Benjamin Franklin’s words, which are displayed on my wall in the Oval Office next to busts of Cesar Chavez, Dr. King, and Rosa Parks.
“A republic, if you can keep it,” was Ben Franklin’s response when he was asked, as he was leaving the convention, whether the Founders had given America a monarchy or a republic. “If you can maintain it, a republic.” You now have the power to decide whether we maintain our republic.
I have had the honor of serving this country for more than 50 years, my fellow Americans. There is no other place on Earth where a stuttering child from humble beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, could become president of the United States and sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. However, here I am.
That’s what makes America so unique. Our country is full of possibilities and promise, dreamers and doers, and regular Americans accomplishing remarkable feats.
Like so many others, I have dedicated my heart and soul to our country. And the American people’s love and support have returned the favor a million times over.
I hope you all understand how much I appreciate you. The wonderful thing about America is that there are no kings or dictators in power. People do.
You hold the power of history. In your hands lies the power. You hold the concept of America in your hands.
All we need to do is remember who we are and maintain our faith. Nothing is simply beyond our capabilities when we work together as the United States of America. Therefore, let’s work together to protect our democracy.
May God bless everyone. And may God keep our soldiers safe.
