WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES | Xinhua — U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Sunday his withdrawal from the presidential race, following increasing concerns from Democrats about his viability as a candidate after a poor debate performance last month.

“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,” Biden stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Biden will provide more details about his decision in a national address later this week. Additionally, he expressed his full support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee. “Democrats – it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this,” he said.

Biden’s announcement, ending weeks of speculation, follows reports that several prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, had urged him to step down.

This unprecedented decision by a sitting president and presumptive nominee this late in the election cycle underscores the severity of the crisis facing Biden’s campaign after the debate against former President Donald Trump, who officially accepted the Republican nomination on Thursday.

Despite various public appearances and meetings with Democratic officials to assert his commitment to the race, Biden’s decision was influenced by the latest Real Clear Politics poll averages, which show Trump leading in key battleground states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.