In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden announced on Sunday his withdrawal from the 2024 US presidential election, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s new nominee. This unexpected move significantly alters the race for the White House.

At 81 years old, Biden faced increasing pressure from within the Democratic Party, especially after a poorly received debate performance. “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 step down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” he stated. Biden plans to address the nation later this week to elaborate on his decision.

This development throws the Democratic Party into a state of disarray as it scrambles to confirm a new candidate before the November election. Kamala Harris is currently the frontrunner. Biden’s exit marks an unprecedented moment in US history, being the first president to withdraw so late in an election race due to health and mental acuity concerns.

Despite resisting calls to step down for over three weeks after the June 27 debate, Biden eventually capitulated. His efforts to prove his capability, including a series of interviews and a press conference, were marred by further gaffes, such as referring to Harris as “Vice President Trump.” The final push for his resignation came from prominent party members, including donor George Clooney and former President Barack Obama.

Biden’s departure also comes after a COVID-19 diagnosis, which took him off the campaign trail and into isolation. This marks a tumultuous period in the US election, with Donald Trump recently surviving an assassination attempt at a campaign rally on July 13.

The situation is reminiscent of Lyndon Johnson’s withdrawal in 1968, another year marked by political turmoil. Johnson’s successor as nominee, then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey, ultimately lost to Richard Nixon. However, Democrats are hopeful that Harris can prevent Trump, a convicted felon, from staging a dramatic return to the Oval Office.

Recent reports suggest that Biden’s campaign had been quietly surveying voter opinions on a Harris vs. Trump match-up. Though Harris initially struggled to make a significant impact, she has recently emerged as a strong contender, especially on issues such as abortion rights. Her historic position as the first woman and first person of Black and South Asian descent to serve as Vice President further bolsters her candidacy.

Harris is expected to be nominated at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19. This moment promises to be both dramatic and emotional for Biden, who took office in January 2021 with a pledge to heal the “soul of America” after the tumultuous Trump years and the Capitol assault on January 6, 2021.

Biden’s administration saw the implementation of a significant COVID-19 recovery plan and a green industry initiative. His international policy was well-received by US allies, particularly his strong support for Ukraine against Russia’s 2022 invasion. However, his tenure was also marred by the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan and persistent inflation, which overshadowed positive economic indicators.

Throughout his presidency, concerns about Biden’s age and a series of public missteps have been a recurring issue, with incidents like tripping on the stairs to Air Force One and falling off his bike contributing to a frail image often exploited by Republicans.