Biden says it’s time for ‘fresh voices’ while explaining he dropped out to ‘unite our nation’ | First Thing

‘I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,’ Biden said. Plus, Monday was world’s hottest recorded day

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Good morning.

Joe Biden addressed the nation Wednesday to explain his decision to withdraw from the presidential race, delivering a reflective and hopeful message about starting a new chapter in American history.

Here’s what Biden said he’d do in his last six months: “I’ll continue to lower costs for hard-working families [and] grow our economy. I’ll keep defending our personal freedoms and our civil rights – from the right to vote to the right to choose … keep working to end the war in Gaza, bring home all the hostages and bring peace and security to the Middle East.”

Here’s how Biden’s decision fits into US history: Biden is the first incumbent to announce he would not seek re-election since Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Many have noted similarities between Biden and Johnson, who pushed through domestic legislative achievements but were marred by foreign policy criticism – Biden with Gaza and Johnson with Vietnam.