Joe Biden abandons presidential race and endorses Kamala Harris | BBC News

Joe Biden has become the first president in almost 60 years to abandon a campaign for re-election.

The president announced the news on social media and stated that he would be supporting the vice-president Kamala Harris in the race to become the Democratic Party’s nominee. Ms Harris said “my intention is to earn and win this nomination”.

Mr Biden has long faced questions about his ability to serve a second term as president. A disastrous stumbling TV debate with the Republican candidate Donald Trump brought the criticism to a head and had led to pressure from senior Democrats for Mr Biden to withdraw from the race.

Following Mr Biden’s announcement, former President Barack Obama called him “one of America’s most consequential presidents”. Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, also praised Joe Biden and his decision to step aside.

Donald Trump said Mr Biden “was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve”. Some senior Republicans in Congress called on Mr Biden to resign immediately as President rather than serving the remainder of his term of office.

Sumi Somaskanda presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Sarah Smith and Nada Tawfik.