Democrats hail ‘great patriot’, Republicans call for US president’s resignation

Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi… Leaders from both parties have reacted across the Atlantic after the announcement of Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race for the White House.

A shocking twist, less than four months before the election. Joe Biden announced on Sunday, July 21, his withdrawal from the race for the White House after weeks of speculation about his physical and mental abilities. The announcement sparked a wide range of reactions, from both the Democratic and Republican sides.

His rival Donald Trump notably took the opportunity to criticize the Democrat. “Joe the crook was not fit to run for office and he certainly is not fit to hold office, and never was.”the Republican candidate said on his Truth Social network.

The Republican leader of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, called on the Democrat to resign. “If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to be president. He must resign immediately.”he wrote on X.

In the Democratic camp, where pressure on the president has continued to mount in recent weeks, many applauded this decision and praised Joe Biden’s behavior. His vice president, Kamala Harris, greeted “the selfless and patriotic act” of the 81-year-old Democratic president. Now supported by Joe Biden to take up the torch, the former prosecutor says she intends “win the nomination” of the Democratic Party for “beat Donald Trump”.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the president a “great patriot”. “His decision was obviously not an easy one to make, but he once again put his country, his party and our future first,” stressed the democratic tenor.

Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives and a major figure in the Democratic Party, also welcomed “one of the most important presidents in American history”after the announcement of his withdrawal. “President Joe Biden is an American patriot who has always put our country first.”the California representative stressed in a statement. “His legacy of vision, values ​​and leadership make him one of the most important presidents in American history.”she wrote.

Barack Obama went in the same direction. He “was one of the most important American presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me”the former president wrote in a statement. “Today we are also reminded – once again – that he is a patriot of the highest order.” The man who formed a duo with Joe Biden during the eight years of his presidency in the White House completes: “Looking at the political landscape and deciding whether to pass the torch to a new candidate is certainly one of the most difficult tasks of his life. But I know he wouldn’t make this decision if he didn’t believe it was the right decision for America.” In his message, Barack Obama warns, however, that this withdrawal places the Democrats in “unknown territory”.

Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State, have announced their support for Kamala Harris. “We join millions of Americans in thanking President Joe Biden for all he has accomplished.”the couple said in a statement. “We are honored to join the President in supporting Vice President Harris.”

Among the contenders for the Democratic nomination for the presidential election, in addition to Kamala Harris, the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, also praised Joe Biden’s record, without commenting directly on this decision. “He will go down in history as one of the most important and selfless presidents.”, he wrote on X. “President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to beat Donald Trump.”also stressed on X, the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer.