“Biden should give up on re-election” claim… Reaction of the White House shown

President Joe Biden of the United States. [Yonhap]

According to Herald Economy, the White House drew a line against some Republicans and others who suggest that President Joe Biden, who has expressed a lack of desire for reelection, should also give up his presidency, calling such claims “ridiculous.”

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre addressed questions during a briefing on the 24th local time, stating that the argument questioning how the president, with only six months left until January next year, can continue to work for another 4 years is unrelated to health and emphasized that the president’s decision to resign from the candidacy is a personal and difficult one.

She highlighted the achievements President Biden has made over the past 3 and a half years in office, stating that he has accomplished more than what other presidents would achieve in two terms in office.

Jean-Pierre also mentioned that President Biden believes in his decision to step down from running for reelection as a “personal and difficult decision” and added that he takes pride in his decision.

Furthermore, she stated, “He (President Biden) hopes to build upon what we have achieved and go further beyond what was possible in the past.” She firmly pushed back against the idea that President Biden is a “lame-duck president.”

Regarding allegations that the White House has concealed President Biden’s health deterioration, Jean-Pierre denied this by stating, “We did not conceal it,” and added, “I know that some of you want that narrative (health deterioration concealment), but it is not true.”

President Biden, who raised suspicions about cognitive and health decline due to his old age (81) during the presidential candidate TV debate on September 27, faced pressure internally and externally to withdraw from the candidacy, and unexpectedly announced his decision to not seek reelection on the 21st.

President Biden is expected to address the background and motivations behind his decision to withdraw from running for reelection, as well as his determination to focus on completing national tasks until the remaining term ends in January, in a national speech on the evening of the 24th at 8 p.m. Korean time (9 a.m. on the 25th, local time).

It is highly likely that he will emphasize the importance of Vice President Kamala Harris’ victory in the presidential election, which he has endorsed, for the preservation of American democracy.

President Biden has considered former President Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, as a “threat to democracy.”

He is also expected to reiterate his commitment to addressing national issues such as economic policies known as “Bidenomics,” climate change response, and foreign policy issues such as Ukraine and the Middle East without interruption.