Barack Obama praises Biden’s decision to drop out in statement but doesn’t endorse Kamala Harris

PRESIDENT Barack Obama has applauded President Joe Biden's choice of stepping out of the 2024 presidential race but notes that we're 'navigating uncharted waters.'

The 44th US president made a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday with a statement on his sentiments regarding Biden's decision to drop out of the election.

Barack Obama said that Joe Biden is 'a patriot of the highest order'Credit: Getty

In the statement, Obama said Biden "wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America," in support of Biden's choice but failed to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.

In Biden's letter announcing his withdrawal from the campaign, he stated that he supports Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee.

"Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents," Obama stated in the X post.

"As well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded – again – that he’s a patriot of the highest order."

His post featured a link to a letter he shared on Medium.

Obama stressed that he felt like Joe's decision to back out of the race was a hard one for him to make.

"For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life," the former president stated.

He also explained that Joe had "every right to run for re-election."

"And finish the job he started," Obama added.

"Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election — how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress."

The former president praised the work Biden has done in office as commander-in-chief.

"Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again. 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 biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits."

Obama noted that Biden has even "restored America’s standing in the world."

"Revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine," he expounded.

"More than that, President Biden pointed us away from the four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trump’s administration."

The 44th president said Biden's policies, following Trump's term, "reminded us of who we are at our best — a country committed to old-fashioned values like trust and honesty, kindness and hard work."

Obama went on to describe the US as "a country that believes in democracy, rule of law, and accountability; a country that insists that everyone, no matter who they are, has a voice and deserves a chance at a better life."

The former commander-in-chief emphasized that his letter is just to express his and his wife's, Michelle Obama, "love and gratitude to Joe and Jill."

"For leading us so ably and courageously during these perilous times," he stated.

"And for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on."