Last updated: July 21, 2024
President Joe Biden (D) withdrew from the 2024 presidential election on July 21, 2024. Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee on March 12, 2024, after a majority of Democratic delegates were allocated to vote for him according to the results of the 2024 Democratic presidential primaries.
Democratic Party officials and media commentators began calling on Biden to withdraw from the race after the first presidential debate on June 27, 2024. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) was the first incumbent member of the U.S. House to publicly call on Biden to withdraw on July 2, and U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) was the first incumbent senator to publicly call on Biden to withdraw on July 10. Click here to read more statements from Democratic Party officials on Biden's campaign.
Since Biden left the race, Democrats will have an open convention to select their nominee. The delegates who were previously bound to vote for Biden at the convention are unbound, meaning they are allowed to vote for a candidate of their choosing. Click here to read answers to frequently asked questions about what happens now that Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.
Timeline
This section provides a timeline of events related to Biden's withdrawal. All times are EST.
- July 22, 2024: An Associated Press survey estimated that Harris had reached the majority delegate threshold necessary to win the Democratic presidential nomination.[1]
- July 21, 2024, 4:31 p.m.: Harris announced her candidacy for president.[2]
- July 21, 2024, 2:13 p.m.: Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the next Democratic presidential nominee. Biden said on X that he offered his "full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year."[3]
- July 21, 2024, 1:46 p.m.: Biden posted a letter on X that said "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."[4]
Withdrawal letter
On July 21, 2024, Biden posted a letter on X stating that he would withdraw from the presidential race. The text of that letter is below.[4]
My Fellow Americans,
Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, 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.
I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.
Statements
The section below includes noteworthy statements in response to Biden's withdrawal.
Democratic responses
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On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office. … We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.[5][6]
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”
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| —Kamala Harris (D) on July 21, 2024
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We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what’s best for the country. We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her.[7][6]
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”
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| —Bill and Hillary Clinton (D) on July 21, 2024
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Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, 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. For now, Michelle and I just want to express our love and gratitude to Joe and Jill for leading us so ably and courageously during these perilous times — and for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on.[8][6]
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”
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| —Barack Obama (D) on July 21, 2024
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Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison (D)
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The Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party.[9][6]
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”
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| —Jaime Harrison (D) on July 21, 2024
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Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (D)
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Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history. … I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country.[10][6]
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”
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| —Pete Buttigieg on July 21, 2024
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| “
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Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he's a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first … Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American.[11][6]
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”
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| —Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on July 21, 2024
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I cannot understate the gravity of the noble and history-making decision that President Biden just made. The feeling that I have right now is one of profound gratitude. … I am grateful that we have a president whose patriotism and love of country drove him to run and win against demagoguery in 2020, and who now, because of that same fierce love and devotion to his fellow Americans, has decided to be the bridge to a new generation of leaders.[12][6]
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”
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| —Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on July 21, 2024
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President Biden has an incredible record of public service. He has been the most consequential president of my lifetime, and his legacy of putting his country before himself is only strengthened by his hard decision today to step aside as a candidate for president.[13][6]
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”
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| —Chris Coons (D-Del.) on July 21, 2024
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President Biden has made historic contributions to our nation. His love of country and loyalty to the American people has been unwavering. He will undoubtedly go down in the history books as a true American patriot. After all he’s done, I respect President Biden’s difficult decision to step aside in this upcoming election.[14][6]
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”
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| —Mark Warner (D-Va.) on July 21, 2024
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President Joe Biden has been one of the most consequential presidents in American history. I’m proud to have worked so closely with his Administration on so many of these historic achievements. Democrats will work to ensure his legacy is secure and will support @POTUS and @VP Kamala Harris as the party moves forward, unified, in our efforts to put the American people over politics.[15][6]
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”
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| —Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) on July 21, 2024
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I commend and thank President Biden for prioritizing our nation’s needs; a decision that I am sure was a difficult one. … As we look forward to November, it is clear to me that Vice President Kamala Harris has the vision to carry this legacy forward, defeat Donald Trump, and I unequivocally endorse her for President of the United States.[16][6]
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”
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| —Cori Bush (D-Mo.) on July 21, 2024
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I’ve had the honor and privilege of calling President Joe Biden a friend for many years. … I echo the good judgment he demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this nation alongside him, and I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Party’s 2024 nominee for President.[17][6]
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”
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| —James Clyburn (D-S.C.) on July 21, 2024
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The most progressive and one of the most effective Presidents in our country’s history. The President to do the most on ending gun violence, defeating the climate crisis, and protecting working people. I have a lot more to say but for now I’ll just say: Thank you.[18][6]
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”
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| —Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-Fla.) on July 21, 2024
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President Joe Biden has been the most progressive and effective President on domestic and economic policy in my lifetime. … I look forward to casting my vote for Kamala Harris for President and doing everything I can to ensure she becomes our next President.[19][6]
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”
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| —Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) on July 21, 2024
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U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.)
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Thrilled President Biden endorsed the most amazing and historic Vice President in history, for President: Kamala Harris. Four years ago I was the first Member of Congress to endorse Kamala for President. VP Harris will be the Democratic nominee and she will win in Nov.[20][6]
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”
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| —Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) on July 21, 2024
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He is a patriot! And one of the most successful public servants in American History. His record of service may never be seen again.[21][6]
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”
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| —Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) on July 21, 2024
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Joe Biden, like FDR and LBJ before him, will go down as one of the most consequential Presidents in American history—having led our nation’s recovery through one of its darkest chapters and making record-breaking investments in American families. … Joe’s announcement today reflects what we’ve known all along: he is an American patriot who is willing to put America’s interests over his own.[22][6]
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”
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| —Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) on July 21, 2024
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President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment.[23][6]
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”
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| —Nancy Pelosi]] (D-Calif.) on July 21, 2024
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As he’s done for five decades, Joe Biden put his country first. In the long scope of history, his work to protect us from the ravages of climate change will be seen as an historic achievement. Biden is going out on top with a long record of accomplishments we can all be proud of.[24][6]
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”
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| —Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) on July 21, 2024
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President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.[25][6]
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”
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| —Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) on July 21, 2024
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President Biden is a patriot who has served our country honorably in the Senate, as Vice President, and as one of the most consequential presidents in modern history. .. President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and protect real freedom. .. I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania — the Commonwealth that raised him.[26][6]
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”
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| —Josh Shapiro (D-Penn.) on July 21, 2024
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President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure America’s global leadership over decades will go down in history. My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families’ costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan.[27][6]
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”
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| —Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) on July 21, 2024
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Republican responses
Frmr. Vice Pres. Mike Pence (R)
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President Joe Biden made the right decision for our country and I thank him for putting the interests of our Nation ahead of his own. After the assassination attempt on President Trump and President Biden’s decision to end his campaign, now is a time for leaders in both parties to project calm and send a message of strength and resolve to America’s friends and enemies alike that, whatever the state of our politics, the American people are strong and our American military stands ready to defend our freedom and our vital national interests anywhere in the world.[28][6]
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”
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| —Former Vice President Mike Pence (R) on July 22, 2024
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Republican Vice Presidential Nominee J.D. Vance (R-Ohio)
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Everyone calling on Joe Biden to *stop running* without also calling on him to resign the presidency is engaged in an absurd level of cynicism. If you can't run, you can't serve. He should resign now.[29][6]
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”
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| —J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) on July 21, 2024
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I’ve pointed out for two years that President Biden’s mental capacity has been declining. In that time, he’s thrown the country, the economy, and the Democratic party into total disarray. This decision is overdue.[30][6]
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”
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| —Bill Cassidy (R-La.) on July 21, 2024
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Being President is the hardest job in the world, and I no longer have confidence that Joe Biden can effectively execute his duties as Commander-in-Chief. ... It is out of concern for our country's national security that I am formally calling on President Biden to resign from office.[31][6]
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”
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| —Steve Daines (R-Mont.) on July 21, 2024
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If Joe Biden is unfit in four months, he’s unfit now. Resign and stop endangering the nation. The American people have been lied to time and again, and now, we have a President who just admitted to being unfit for the job.[32][6]
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| —Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) on July 21, 2024
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Every state has its own system, and in some of these, it’s not possible to simply just switch out a candidate. I think they would run into some legal impediments in at least a few of these jurisdictions.[33][6]
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”
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| —Mike Johnson (R-La.) on July 21, 2024
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For years, Democrats and their partners in the media maligned Americans who questioned the President’s fitness based on what they saw with their own eyes as conspiracy theorists. Every single one of these people—especially Vice President Harris—who participated in this cover up must answer for their involvement.[34][6]
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”
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| —Steve Scalise (R-La.) on July 21, 2024
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It looks more and more like that very early debate was a set up to force Biden to step aside. .. Today’s announcement may not have happened without that disastrous debate.
[35][6]
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”
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| —Greg Abbott (R-Texas) on July 21, 2024
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Not fit to run for president, not fit to serve as president. … Biden should resign immediately.[36][6]
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”
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| —Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-Ark.) on July 21, 2024
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Frmr. U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.)
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The framers of our Constitution knew that our republic would endure only if our presidents have the character and honor to put duty ahead of self interest. President Biden deserves our gratitude for his decades of service to our nation and for his courageous decision today.[37][6]
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”
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| —Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) on July 21, 2024
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See also
Ballotpedia's 2024 presidential election coverage
Democratic presidential nomination
Additional readingClick the links below to read more about Joe Biden's presidential campaign.
Click the links below to read more of Ballotpedia's 2024 election coverage.
Click the links below to read about how to cast your ballot in 2024.
- ↑ Associated Press, "AP survey shows Kamala Harris backed by enough delegates to become Democratic nominee," July 22, 2024
- ↑ X, "Harris on July 21, 2024," accessed July 23, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "@JoeBiden," July 21, 2024
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 X.com, "@JoeBiden," July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Ben Jacobs on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 6.29 6.30 6.31 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ X.com, "Bill Clinton on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "My Statement on President Biden’s Announcement" July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "PhilipWegmann on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Pete Buttigieg on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Chuck Schumer on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Cory Booker on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Chris Coons on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Mark Warner on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Nanette Barragán on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Cori Bush on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "James Clyburn on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Maxwell Alejandro Frost on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Pramila Jayapal on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Ted Lieu on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Jared Moskowitz on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Jerry Nadler on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Nancy Pelosi on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Jay Inslee on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Gavin Newsom on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Josh Shapiro on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Gretchen Whitmer on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X, "Mike Pence on July 22, 2024," accessed July 23, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "J.D. Vance on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Bill Cassidy on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ Axios, "Senate Republicans pile on Biden to resign after he quits 2024 race," July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Bill Hagerty on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ Politico, " Republicans could file challenges if Biden replaced, Speaker Johnson says ," July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Steve Scalise on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Greg Abbott on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Sarah Huckabee Sanders on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
- ↑ X.com, "Liz Cheney on July 21, 2024," accessed July 21, 2024
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