WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden dropping out of the presidential race elicited a flurry of statements from politicians and those close to Biden on Sunday.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement that Biden “has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is 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,” said Schumer, who traveled to Rehoboth Beach earlier this month to speak to Biden directly about the race. “Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American.”
In a lengthy post on Medium Sunday, former President Barack Obama thanked Biden for his service.
"For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life," Obama added.
First Lady Jill Biden responded by reposting the president’s letter announcing his decision and adding red heart emojis.
Granddaughter Naomi Biden Neal said on social media that “I’m nothing but proud of my Pop.”
She said he has served the country “with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction” and that “our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him.”
Republicans have seized on Biden's poor debate performance last month to batter him as incapable of serving four more years. Now, that he's out of the presidential election, many said he should resign his office, too.
“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement.
“If the Democratic party has deemed Joe Biden unfit to run for reelection, he’s certainly unfit to control our nuclear codes. Biden must step down from office immediately,” tweeted Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.
Biden’s former chief of staff, Ron Klain, called on Democrats to quickly unite around Vice President Kamala Harris as the natural successor to Biden, saying on social media that “it’s time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign.”
“Let’s get real and win in November,” Klain said.
Another notable Democrat, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, also offered his support for Harris Sunday after noting that Biden will go in history as "one of the most impactful and selfless presidents."
"With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump's dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President, @KamalaHarris," Newsom said on X.
Former President Donald Trump, who was set for a rematch with Biden in November, called Biden "not fit to run for President."
"Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was!" Trump said in his post. "All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t."
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton thanked 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."
In their statement, the Clintons also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and vowed to "do whatever we can to support her."
Schumer and Sen. Dick Durbin, the top two Senate Democrats, did not offer support for Harris.
“Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort,” Durbin said.
“A healthy competition is what it's all about,” said Sen. Joe Manchin, who recently changed his party affiliation from Democrat to independent.
Some other Democrats did quickly assemble behind Harris.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, endorsed Harris within an hour of Biden’s announcement.
“Millions of Americans cast their ballots for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the primary. Vice President Harris has proven time and time again that she can prosecute the case against Donald Trump and campaign vigorously for Democrats down the ballot,” Jayapal said in a statement.