‘I thank Joe Biden’: Lawmakers, politicians react to President Biden’s decision not to seek re-election
President Biden (Photo: AP/File)
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – There was swift reaction to President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek the Democratic nomination. The following statements and social media posts were released:
Kamala Harris shared her thanks for President Joe Biden on X:
Former President Barack Obama said on X:
Mayor Malik Evans said:
“President Biden has delivered historic progress for America’s cities, and mayors have been critical partners in that work. Legislation such as the American Rescue Plan, and transformative bills such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS and Science Act have greatly benefited the Rochester region. I thank the President for his service and look forward to the upcoming convention where our nominee will be officially selected.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said:
“Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first.
“Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said:
“President Biden has served our country with courage, compassion, integrity, and decency. I am honored to have served in the Senate during his administration, which achieved historic accomplishments related to gun safety, veterans’ health care, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, climate change, prescription drugs, and more. President Biden has improved the lives of millions of Americans and leaves behind a legacy that will echo for generations. On behalf of myself and every New Yorker: Thank you, Joe.”
Senator Jeremy Cooney said:
“When our country needed him the most, President Joe Biden answered the call to public service. With historic accomplishments and today’s selfless act of patriotism, we owe him a debt of gratitude. Can you ever imagine Donald Trump putting our nation before himself?”
“I am proud to support Vice President Kamala Harris for President, a dynamic woman leader who will make history in November. As an Indian-American, I am especially aware of what her candidacy means to our growing AAPI community. I look forward to casting my vote for Kamala Harris at the DNC in August.”
Rep. Joe Morelle said:
“President Biden has done what every true leader ought to: He put the needs of our country ahead of himself. This difficult decision is an act of true patriotism for the good of our democracy.
“I am deeply grateful for all he has done to create a better America over the past four years and throughout his lifetime of public service.
“Thank you, Mr. President.”
The Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee Jay Jacobs said:
“I admired Joe Biden when he was a United States Senator. I thought his selection as Barack Obama’s Vice Presidential pick was perfect for our country. I have admired Joe Biden’s decency, honesty, and his demonstrated courage in the face of the most difficult of personal adversities. Joe Biden has been one of our most successful and impactful Presidents – certainly one of the most productive in the past 60 years – and I have admired the job he has done under the most difficult of circumstances.”
“I have never admired Joe Biden more than I do today. Voluntarily ceding the nomination and forgoing a chance to serve for another four years in the job that he did so well in and spent a lifetime dreaming of attaining, is as noble an act as ever recorded in America’s political history. Joe Biden’s selflessness; his putting country and party above his own personal desires, places him in the category of every great political leader since George Washington set the standard some 225 years ago.”
“While the nation’s gratitude may be blurred by the politics of our current times, history will record and all will long remember Joe Biden not just for what he did as President, but for what he gave up, so that we may continue as that “shining city on a hill.”
New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar said:
“The charade foisted on the country by irresponsible Democrats has come to an end. President Joe Biden should have stepped aside long ago, but he’s finally done the right thing and we applaud him for that. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”
“This nation is ready for fundamental change from the chaotic Biden years, and President Donald Trump is fully prepared to restore us to greatness. There is no one in the Democratic Party that can stop the momentum of reform that Republicans are leading. Freedom is returning at long last.”
Monroe County Democratic Committee Chair Stephen Devay said:
“President Joe Biden is one of the most transformational and accomplished presidents in our nation’s history – certainly in my lifetime – and I will be forever grateful for all he accomplished over 50 years of public service. He will leave our country in a better place and, today, he cemented his enduring legacy by once again putting our country’s needs first.
“Over the coming weeks, our Party will make critical decisions regarding our Presidential ticket, but I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight Vice President Kamala Harris’s readiness to lead our nation and continue the work that she and President Biden started. And, of course, throughout Monroe County, Democrats are as committed as ever to defeating Donald Trump and JD Vance in November.”
Former President Donald Trump said on social media:
“Crooked Joe Biden is the Worst President, by far, in the History of our Nation. He has done everything possible to destroy our Country, from our Southern Border, to Energy Dominance, National Security, International Standing, and so much more. He was annihilated in an Earth Shattering Debate, and now the Corrupt and Radical Democrats are throwing him overboard. He was not fit to serve from the very beginning, but the people around him lied to America about his Complete and Total Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Demise. Whoever the Left puts up now will just be more of the same. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Senator JD Vance said:
“Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way. Over the last four years she co-signed Biden’s open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. She owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about Biden’s mental capacity–saddling the nation with a president who can’t do the job. President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoever’s at the top of the Democrat ticket. Bring it on.”