US President Joe Biden has announced he will not run in the 2024 Presidential election.
In a post on X, he said it is in the best interest of the country for him to step aside from the upcoming race.
In a follow-up post, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee.
"It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President," he wrote.
"And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, 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 my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
Mr Biden said he would "address the nation" about his decision in more detail later this week.
He noted some achievements in his term as President, such as expanding affordable healthcare and appointing the first African American woman to the Supreme Court.
"We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalised and strengthened our alliances around the world," he wrote.
Endorsing Ms Harris, Mr Biden said appointing her as vice president was "the best decision I've made".
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Mr Biden previously served as vice president to Barack Obama from 2008 to 2016.
He ran in the 2020 election against Donald Trump, this year's Republican nominee.
There was growing tension in Washington over the last few weeks as Mr Biden’s suitability for the election came into question.
His televised debate with Mr Donald Trump at the end of June raised alarm bells that he may not be fit to square up against his opponent in an election.
The 81-year-old got COVID-19 this week and has reportedly been ill in recent weeks.
Donald Trump and Joe Biden take part in the 2024 CNN Presidential Debate in Atlanta, 27-6-24. Image: Will Lanzoni/CNNRoughly 35 Democrats in Congress have asked Mr Biden to step aside – although the President previously resisted calls.
There have been multiple reports of Mr Biden’s family discussing a possible “exit plan” from the 2024 race.
Former US President Barack Obama and former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi also privately expressed concerns over Mr Biden.
Following Mr Biden stepping aside, Mr Obama called him "one of America’s most consequential presidents".
He said the current US president wouldn't choose to step aside "unless he believed it was right for America".
"It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow."
'Voice of reason'
Taoiseach Simon Harris thanked Mr Biden for his "global leadership" and "friendship".
"President Biden has been a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions," he said.
He noted the "world has changed since President Biden's victory in 2020", facing "extraordinary challenges" such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Harris also said he spoke with Mr Biden on the phone last month to discuss the US's plans for a ceasefire in "Israel's war on Gaza".
"This plan remains the only way on the table to stop the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, release hostages and allow aid to flow freely."
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at St. Muredach’s Cathedral in Ballina, Co Mayo, 14/05/2023. Image: American Photo Archive / Alamy Stock PhotoTánaiste Micheál Martin said he heard the news about Mr Biden stepping down "with both sadness and admiration".
"He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace and prosperity on this island," he said.
"His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful and joyous celebration of our relationship with the US.
"This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity and class."
Replacing Joe Biden
The Democrats are now tasked with selecting a new candidate for the upcoming election.
Vice President Harris will be one of the frontrunners to take over from Mr Biden as the presidential candidate - particularly following an endorsement from the president himself.
Many Democrats already solidified around Ms Harris becoming the new nominee in recent weeks.
A poll from the AP-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research found that about six in 10 Democrats believe Ms Harris would do a good job as President.
Ms Harris is the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first African-American and first Asian-American vice president.
In his letter announcing his plans to step down from the race, Mr Biden thanked Ms Harris " for being an extraordinary partner" in the White House.
US Vice President Kamala Harris delivers in Washington, 20-12-23. Image: NASA/piemags / AlamyShe has become viral online recently after an old video resurfaced of the vice president telling a story of her mother saying, “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?”
The Democratic candidate will run against Mr Trump and Ohio senator J.D. Vance.
The former US president has grown in popularity in recent polling and has been hailed a “hero” for surviving an assassination attempt last week.
