The United States president declared he will not be running for reelection, a move that takes the race into unprecedented terrain. As he withdrew, he mobilised his supporters to support Kamala Harris and asked Democrats to contribute to her campaign. "Serving as your president has been the greatest honour of my life," stated Mr. Biden in a letter to "my fellow Americans." 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," the president stated.That puts the competition in new frontiers as the US president.

He endorsed Ms Harris as the Democratic nominee, saying: "Democrats - it's time to come together and beat Trump."

Mr. Biden announced the move in a statement that was published on X, stating that he will address the country later this week to go into "detail" regarding his choice. "For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected," he stated.In an announcement made public on X, Mr. Biden said he will address the country later this week to go into "detail" about his choice. "For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected," he stated.

Mr Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on 20 January 2025.

But questions are already being asked about whether he should stand down from the presidency as well as withdrawing from the re-election race.

The Republican House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson has called on him to resign, saying "if Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president".