Calling Joe Biden a “patriot of the highest order”, former US President Barack Obama has praised him for dropping out of the 2024 presidential race in November. Obama also called his Democratic leader “one of America's most effective presidents.”

Washington d. C: United States President Joe Biden announced on Sunday (local time) that he is dropping out of the presidential race and ending his re-election campaign amid growing calls from within the Democratic Party for his resignation. Former President Barack Obama reacted to Biden's decision, praising him as “one of America's most effective presidents” and a “patriot of the highest order”. Obama praised his fellow Democratic leader for dropping out of the 2024 presidential race in November.
In a statement, Obama said, “Joe Biden has been America's most effective president, as well as my dear friend and partner. Today, we are reminded again — that he is a patriot of the highest order.”
His statement came after Biden announced his decision not to seek re-election and endorsed US Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee.
Obama, however, did not make it clear whether he would support Harris as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.
“Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for vice president, I knew about Joe's remarkable career in public service,” he said, recalling his decision to pick Biden as vice president of the United States. But what I admired even more was his character – his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; His basic decency and faith matter to everyone.”
He emphasized that Biden has demonstrated that character again and again since taking office.
“He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the largest investment in climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights Working people to organize for fair wages and benefits. Internationally, he restored America's place in the world, revitalized NATO, and united the world to stand against Russian aggression in Ukraine,” Obama said.
The former president said Biden never backed down from a fight, and the decision to pass the torch to a new candidate would have been his toughest.
“I also know that Joe never backed down from a fight,” Obama said. For him to look at the political landscape and hand over the torch to a new candidate is surely the most difficult task of his life. But I know he won't make that decision unless he believes it's the right one for America. It's a testament to Joe Biden's love of country — and a historic example of a true public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of himself that generations to come would do well to follow. “
“We will be navigating uncharted waters in the coming days,” he said of the upcoming Democratic convention in Chicago. But I have tremendous confidence that our party leaders will be able to create a process that will produce an outstanding candidate. I believe Joe Biden's vision of a united America that is generous, prosperous, and inclusive will be on full display at the Democratic convention in August. And I hope that each of us is ready to carry the message of hope and progress into November and beyond.”
Earlier on Sunday, Biden announced his decision not to seek re-election in the “best interests” of the Democratic Party and the country. He has endorsed US Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee and called on Democrats to “come together and defeat” Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
In a letter posted on X, Biden said, “And while I intend to seek re-election, I believe I am in the best interest of my party and the country, and I am fully focused on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.” I will speak to the nation in more detail about my decision later this week.”
Biden thanked US Vice President Kamala Harris for her unprecedented support and praised those who supported his re-election bid. However, he decided to decline the nomination and said he would use his powers to perform presidential duties for the remainder of his term. Biden emphasized that choosing Harris as his running mate was the best decision he made and openly supported her being a party representative this time around. Without unity among Democrats, Biden is expected to defeat Trump in the upcoming election.