US President Joe Biden declared on July 21, months ahead of the 2024 presidential election, that he was withdrawing from the contest "in the best interest of my party and the country".
The 81-year-old Biden wrote that being President had been the greatest honour of his life in a letter that was shared on social media.
"And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as President for the remainder of my term", he said adding that he would address the nation on the matter next week.
Biden, 81, endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take over the ticket vacated by him, saying, "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala Harris to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats -- it's time to come together and beat Trump."
Harris's path from here to nomination is not automatic. It's not clear if she will have to face off rivals and how that process will unfold. Whether it will be settled based on the delegates won by the Biden-Harris ticket or voting at an open convention where the delegates will be free to consider and pick a rival candidate. Others who could seek the nomination include Governors Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Senator Mark Kelly, and entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban.
The Democratic Party will need to nominate Harris formally at the convention in August, making her the first African-American woman and the first Indian-American to win the nomination of a major political party for the White House.
President Biden thanked his Vice President Kamala Harris - who was tipped as his successor should he withdraw from the race, saying she was an "extraordinary partner".
"And let me express my heartfelt appreciation for the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me," his statement added.
"I believe today and always have: that there is nothing America can’t do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America."
Biden's abrupt decision comes after intense pressure from various party factions requesting that he step down due to health concerns, following his lackluster showing in the first debate against former President Donald Trump. He had, nevertheless, rejected calls to resign, claiming that only the "Lord Almighty" could do so.
He was just diagnosed with COVID-19, and he is presently solitary in his Delaware home.