President Joe Biden announced he’s running for reelection in 2024, setting the stage for a potential rematch against his predecessor, Donald Trump.
In a video released Tuesday, Biden framed next year’s contest as a fight against Republican extremism, implicitly arguing he needed more time to fully realize his vow to restore the nation’s character.
Biden joins a 2024 race that has so far been dominated on the Republican side by Trump, who launched his third bid for the White House in November.
No major Democratic challengers are expected to emerge against Biden, and only two candidates are currently in the race: self-help guru Marianne Williamson and anti-vaccine and environmental activist Robert F Kennedy jr.
In the video titled “Freedom,” Biden echoed his 2020 campaign message of battling for the “soul of our nation,” uniting the country, and supporting the middle class, his campaign said. The video opens with footage of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol protest.
“Freedom. Personal freedom is fundamental to who we are as Americans. There’s nothing more important. Nothing more sacred,” Biden, 80, said in the video. “That’s been the work of my first term: To fight for our democracy. This shouldn’t be a red or blue issue.”
Every generation has a moment where they have had to stand up for democracy. To stand up for their fundamental freedoms. I believe this is ours.
That’s why I’m running for reelection as President of the United States. Join us. Let’s finish the job. https://t.co/V9Mzpw8Sqy pic.twitter.com/Y4NXR6B8ly
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 25, 2023
He added: “This is not a time to be complacent. That’s why I’m running for re-election. Because I know America. I know we are good and decent people. And I know we are still a country that believes in honesty and respect, and treating each other with dignity. That we’re a nation where we give hate no safe harbor. And we believe that everyone is equal, and that everyone should be given a fair shot to succeed in this country.”
Trump leads the Republican polls with Ron DeSantis, considered the prime challenger to Trump for the GOP nomination.
Romanian ambassador received by U.S. President Joe Biden at White House
