Kamala Harris wins enough delegate support for Democratic presidential nomination after Biden drops out

CBS News estimates Vice President Kamala Harris has received the endorsement of a majority of Democratic delegates. If the total holds, she would become the Democratic nominee for president after the roll call vote expected in early August. 

Delegations from at least 27 states have issued statements of their full delegations endorsing Harris. 

Late Monday night, Harris released a statement calling herself the presumptive nominee.

"When I announced my campaign for President, I said I intended to go out and earn this nomination," she wrote. "Tonight, I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party's nominee, and as a daughter of California, I am proud that my home state's delegation helped put our campaign over the top. I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon.

From Aaron Navarro, Nidia Cavazos, Shawna Mizelle and Arden Farhi

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told CNN on Monday night that he has not been asked to submit information for any vetting process for the vice president nominee spot in Kamala Harris' campaign for the presidency.

When asked what his answer would be if he were asked to join the ticket, he chose to focus on his work in the state.

"I do love my job here in Kentucky, my kids are happy. We're having record success, we've broken every record for private sector investment, new jobs exports, tourism, recidivism is at a low," he said. "The only reason I'd ever consider something else is if I felt that I can help my people in Kentucky more in a different role or that there was a chance to move past the partisanship, the constant fighting."

More than 490 Democratic delegates from California have pledged their support to their Golden State candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, the state party announced in a Monday news release.

"The California Delegation quickly coalesced behind Vice President Harris for President because she's smart, she's tough and no one is better prepared to prosecute the case against convicted felon, Donald Trump," said California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks.

Democratic National Committee Jaime Harrison and convention chair Minyon Moore are pushing to keep a virtual roll call process "to ensure we are on the ballot in all 50 states," according to a letter obtained by CBS News. 

The letter proposes several rules about the nominating process. The convention rules committee will meet virtually on Wednesday afternoon to approve, or tweak them.

Harrison said in a call with reporters that the party will "deliver a presidential nominee by August 7." This date coincides with Ohio's current deadline in effect for candidate certification for the ballot. 

Moore also said there is "still a need for a virtual component for our nominating process."

"This will all be done swiftly and transparently so our delegates, Party members, and the public understand the process," she added.

According to the letter, there will be a window for candidates to file paperwork to declare their candidacy. To qualify for the virtual roll call ballot, candidates need 300 delegates, of which no more than 50 can come from a single state. The candidate who secures a majority of votes becomes the nominee. 

A DNC official said the window to submit paperwork to declare candidacy should close by the end of this week. The exact timeline after is less clear, but the DNC indicated a virtual roll call could happen as soon as August 1. 

The DNC also indicated flexibility for the nominee to pick and announce their running mate. A DNC official said they could do it by August 7, or after. They added it's up to the presidential nominee to make sure they meet ballot access deadlines. 

Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as the early favorite in the process, with many could-be challengers instead opting to endorse her. She also has the public support and endorsement of more than a third of the delegates she will need, according to a CBS News analysis.

CBS News has reached out to the Harris campaign on if they're looking to abide by that August 7 deadline in Ohio. 

Harris and Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke on the phone after Mr. Biden endorsed her, according to sources familiar with the call. 

Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, has so far refrained from endorsing Harris. He had called Mr. Biden the "strongest candidate." 

By Robert Costa and Nidia Cavazos

The nation's largest labor organization, the AFL-CIO, announced its endorsement for Harris. The organization represents 60 unions and more than 12 million workers. 

"From day one, Vice President Kamala Harris has been a true partner in leading the most pro-labor administration in history," AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a statement. "From taking on Wall Street and corporate greed to leading efforts to expand affordable child care and support vulnerable workers, she's shown time and again that she's on our side." 

The endorsement is unsurprising given organized labor's decades of support for Democratic presidential candidates. 

The AFL-CIO endorsed Mr. Biden last summer, making it the earliest the organization has ever backed a candidate during a presidential campaign. 

Harris flew to Wilmington, Delaware, where Mr. Biden stationed his 2024 campaign headquarters, to thank campaign staff. After he dropped out, she assumed his campaign operations. 

She announced that she asked Jen O'Malley Dillon, who ran Mr. Biden's successful 2020 campaign and was the chair of his 2024 operation, to run her campaign. O'Malley Dillon accepted, Harris said, adding that Julie Chavez Rodriguez will continue in her role as campaign manager. 

"I have full faith that this team … will be the reason we win in November," Harris told staffers. 

Mr. Biden stayed on the phone while Harris addressed staff and praised his leadership. 

"It has been one of the greatest honors of my life, truly, to serve as vice president to our president, Joe Biden," she said. "It is my great honor to have Joe's endorsement in this race. It is my intention to go out and earn this nomination and to win." 

She said Mr. Biden and first lady Jill Biden "are like family" to her and her husband, Doug. 

"It's mutual," Mr. Biden said over the phone. "I love you." 

As he faces calls from Republicans to resign the presidency, Harris pushed back, saying "he's not done — far from it." 

Harris also talked about her time as a prosecutor. 

"I took on perpetrators of all kinds. Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump's type," she said. "I will proudly put my record against his." 

Mr. Biden called into the Harris campaign headquarters in Delaware Monday afternoon, encouraging staffers to launch themselves fully into the vice president's presidential campaign.

"I'm hoping you'll give every bit of your heart and soul that you gave to me to Kamala," he said, in his first public remarks since he gave up the presidential nomination a day ago. 

"Embrace her," he said. "She's the best."

"Yesterday's news was surprising and hard for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do," Mr. Biden told the staff. "I think we made the right decision."

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be out there on the campaign with her, with Kamala," the president promised. "I'm going to be working like hell."

Even though he won't be on the ticket, the president said he'll be "fully, fully engaged" in the campaign and in completing the duties of his presidency. 

By Kathryn Watson and Caitlin Yilek

The vetting of Vice President Harris's potential running mates will be overseen by the Washington law firm Covington & Burling and involve the firm's senior counsel, Eric Holder, a Harris campaign official tells CBS News. The law firm has a longstanding relationship with Democratic Party presidential campaigns. 

Holder served as attorney general during the Obama administration.

By Ed O'Keefe, Weijia Jiang

The nation's Democrats are reacting positively to President Biden stepping aside as the party's nominee, with many believing that will improve their chances of beating Donald Trump in November, while also overwhelmingly saying Mr. Biden's legacy will be excellent or good. 

Voters aren't all political strategists, of course, but here's how they size up the party's chances from here: They are much likelier to say their chances of beating Trump have gotten better than worse now, though about 3 in 10 say it depends on who the nominee is. 

And those saying their chances have improved are more likely to approve of Mr. Biden's decision to exit the race.

Read more about the poll here.

By Anthony Salvanto, Jennifer De Pinto, Kabir Khanna

Kamala Harris is looking at a deep bench of potential running mates. With the Democratic National Convention a month away, she'll have to make her decision soon. The possibles include: 

• Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly
• Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro
• Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear
• Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
• Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker 
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom 
• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore 
• Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg 
• North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper 
• Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz 

Read more about each potential vice presidential pick here. 

Harris' presidential campaign raked in $81 million in the 24 hours after Mr. Biden ended his bid for reelection, her campaign said Monday.

The eye-popping haul includes money raised across Harris' campaign, the Democratic National Committee and joint fundraising committees, and underscores the vice president's enormous financial advantage over any potential challengers for the Democratic nomination. It's the largest amount of money raised in a 24-hour span in presidential history, according to Team Harris. 

The campaign said that more than 888,000 grassroots donors made contributions in the past 24 hours, and for 60% of them, it was their first contribution of the 2024 election cycle. A call hosted by the group "Win with Black Women" brought in $1.6 million alone, Team Harris said.

Read more here.

Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina — the man Mr. Biden credits for helping him win the Democratic nomination in 2020 — expressed confidence in Democratic Party unity. 

"Everybody is going to coalesce around the vice president, and she'll be fine," Clyburn told reporters on Capitol Hill. 

Clyburn, 84, is a fixture in Democratic politics. Representing a majority-Black district in South Carolina, Clyburn endorsed Mr. Biden even after the president lost the first contests in the 2020 primary. It helped Mr. Biden win the South Carolina primary and eventually, the presidency. 

The Democratic leaders of the House and Senate praised Harris' early efforts in pursuing the party's presidential nomination and said in a joint statement that they are looking forward to meeting in-person with her "shortly."

"Vice President Kamala Harris is off to a great start with her promise to pursue the presidential nomination in a manner consistent with the grassroots and transparent process set forth by the Democratic National Committee," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a joint statement. "She is rapidly picking up support from grassroots delegates from one end of the country to the other."

Schumer and Jeffries, both from New York, stopped short of endorsing Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination. 

One of the largest Democratic super PACs has seen a surge of donations in the 24 hours since the president's decision to exit the race.

Future Forward PAC, established to serve as an outside entity to advertise and mobilize voters on the president's behalf, says it's received roughly $150 million in fundraising commitments in the day since the president's announcement, a senior official with the entity confirms to CBS News.

The financial boost is operationally and symbolically significant: It permits the PAC to begin resuming major advertising and outreach campaigns across battleground states and in English and Spanish. But it's also the same PAC that first signaled significant financial trouble for the Biden campaign and Biden-aligned organizations ramping up for the fall. 

CBS News previously reported that wealthy benefactors had frozen at least $90 million in donations to Future Forward PAC until Biden could prove he had a winning strategy or was replaced atop the Democratic ticket. Other PACs and Democratic campaign organizations had seen similar donation freezes numbering into the tens of millions of dollars.

The sudden financial boon for Future Forward, plus the more than $50 million raised overnight by the Harris campaign, signals Democrats are enthusiastic once again - at least to open their wallets.

Politico first reported news of Future Forward's sudden fundraising turnaround.

House speaker emerita Nancy Pelosi formally endorsed Harris on Monday afternoon.

"Today, it is with immense pride and limitless optimism for our country's future that I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States," Pelosi said in a statement. "My enthusiastic support for Kamala Harris for President is official, personal and political." 

Pelosi called on Democrats to "unite" behind Harris in order to defeat Donald Trump. 

"In the Democratic Party, our diversity is our strength and our unity is our power," Pelosi said. "Now, we must unify and charge forward to resoundingly defeat Donald Trump and enthusiastically elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States. Onward to victory!"

Pelosi also gave a nod to Mr. Biden's decades of leadership and service, calling him "one of our country's most consequential presidents." 

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will join Harris Monday afternoon when she stops by the Harris campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.

Emhoff was in Los Angeles over the weekend for a previously scheduled visit to see his parents, as the president's political future was made on the East Coast. 

Harris, at the NCAA event on the White House South Lawn Monday, spoke of the president's late son, Beau Biden. She said Beau Biden talked about the kind of father and the kind of man Joe Biden is. 

"The qualities that Beau revered in his father are the same qualities that I have seen every day in our president," Harris said. 

She noted Mr. Biden's big heart, love of the United States, and love for his family. 

"I am a firsthand witness that every day, our president Joe Biden fights for the people, and we are deeply, deeply grateful for his service to our nation," she said. 

Harris said that Mr. Biden, who is in Rehoboth with COVID-19, wanted to be at the NCAA event on Monday. But, she added, he is "feeling better" and he is "looking forward to getting back on the road."

Harris posted on social media that she will head Monday afternoon to Wilmington, Delaware, where what was the Biden/Harris campaign is based. 

"It's the first full day of our campaign, so I'm heading up to Wilmington, DE later to say 'hello' to our staff in HQ," Harris wrote in a social media post. "One day down. 105 to go. Together, we're going to win this."

Harris is speaking Monday morning at an event at the White House honoring college athletes. 

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday said he didn't think the dynamics of the 2024 race changed after President Biden dropped out of the race. But Johnson suggested that changing the nominee could "violate the rules" in some states, and he said he expects there will be "litigation." 

"So we'll see how it develops," Johnson said. "But I do think it's problematic, I think millions of people believe this is problematic. This is not the way this system is supposed to work. There's a reason it's unprecedented. You don't just steamroll the rules and the process because you decide your candidate is no longer suitable."

A nominee is not officially decided until the party's convention, so the Democrats are not replacing the candidate on the ballot. No state has finalized their November ballot, and if the Democrats select their nominee by the end of their convention, there is no legal barrier to that ticket appearing on the ballot in any state.

— Ellis Kim and Caroline Linton

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, herself considered a potential candidate for the Democratic nomination at one point, formally endorsed Harris on Monday morning. 

Harris joined other once-rumored Democratic presidential candidates like Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and California Gov. Gavin Newsom in endorsing Harris, as Harris looks to lock down Democratic support. The Democratic nominee will be chosen by party leaders ahead of the convention, which starts Aug. 19. 

"Today, I am fired up to endorse Kamala Harris for president of the United States," she said in a statement. 

Whitmer said Harris is a former prosecutor, a and a champion of reproductive rights, "and I know that she's got Michigan's back." 

"That's in stark contrast to Donald Trump, a convicted felon who stokes violence, overturned Roe, attacked our auto industry which hardworking families depend on, left office after losing 100,000 manufacturing jobs, and drove our economy into the ground last time he was in the White House," Whitmer said. 

Whitmer is also currently considered one of the frontrunners to be nominated for vice president. 

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has endorsed Harris, adding another big name in Democratic politics behind the vice president. Pritzker, a billionaire, also has deep pockets.

Pritzker was also a rumored potential name to be on the Democratic 2024 ticket. 

"I am proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president of the United States," he wrote in a note posted to X Monday. 

He called her the "most qualified and capable person to be president." 

Hillary Clinton posted her support of Harris on social media with a fundraising link, writing that she has known the vice for a "long time" and "this brilliant prosecutor will make the case against convicted felon Donald Trump and the Project 2025 agenda to take away our freedoms."

The former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic nominee issued a joint statement Sunday with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, supporting Harris. 

"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," the Clintons said in a joint statement. 

While many prominent Democrats have announced their support of Harris, former President Barack Obama has yet to endorse her, and neither have the powerful leaders — House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker Emitera Nancy Pelosi. 

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate, announced Monday his support for Harris.

"Proud to endorse my former Senate colleague & good friend, Kamala Harris," Durbin said in a social media post. "Our nation needs to continue moving forward with unity & not MAGA chaos. VP Harris was a critical partner in building the Biden record over the past four years. Count me in with Kamala Harris for President."

Durbin is the Senate majority whip and also leads the Judiciary Committee.

Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark and California Rep. Pete Aguilar came out Monday in support of Harris' bid to replace Mr. Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. Both are members of House Democratic leadership, with Clark serving as whip and Aguilar as caucus chair.

Clark said in a statement endorsing Harris that she is excited to "get to work to elect her." Aguilar, meanwhile, called Harris a "fierce advocate for working families and a tough-minded prosecutor."

"I ask every American who believes in the rule of law, supports our democracy and wants to keep America a beacon of hope for future generations to join me in this fight," he said.

 Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, considered a possible vice-presidential candidate, endorsed Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination on Monday morning. 

"With that I'm excited to fully endorse vice president Harris for the next president of the United States," Beshear said on "Morning Joe." "The Vice President is smart and strong, which will make her a good president. But she's also kind and has empathy which can make her a great president and the contrast between her and those running on the other side couldn't be clearer as a prosecutor, as an attorney general like I used to be. She prosecuted rapists domestic abusers stood for victims and put away those abusers now now look at the other side where JD Vance calls pregnancy arising from rape inconvenient."

Beshear said it was "flattering to be a part" of the process of being a vice-presidential candidate. 

Beshear also credited President Biden's decision not to run, saying it would "secure his legacy that I believe historians are going to say was a great presidency."  

Sen. Joe Manchin, a former Democrat-turned-independent from West Virginia, said on "CBS Mornings" Monday that he will not run for the Democratic nomination against Vice President Harris.

"I am not going to be a candidate for president," Manchin said. But he said he would like to see a competitive process to choose the nominee.

"I think a lot of people would like to see a mini primary," Manchin said. "That's the process — find out if you have the strongest candidate, whether it could be Kamala or whoever else."

He said he considers Harris "absolutely" too far to the left, and said "I would like to see that direction change."

Manchin said he is "speaking for basically the middle of this country," adding, "neither side can win without the sensible, moderate middle."

Read more here.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left Monday for a scheduled visit to Washington, one day after President Biden announced he would not be running for a second term and amid Israel's ongoing war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Ahead of his departure, Netanyahu said Israel will remain a key ally of the U.S. in the Middle East no matter who becomes the next president.

"In this time of war and uncertainty, it's important that Israel's enemies know that America and Israel stand together today, tomorrow, and always," Netanyahu said in a statement.

The Israeli leader is due to address both houses of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, as well as speak privately with Mr. Biden in a meeting tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, but which will depend on the president's recovery from a COVID-19 infection that was announced by the White House last week.

"This will be an opportunity to thank him for the things he did for Israel in the war and during his long and distinguished career in public service, as Senator, as Vice President, and as President.," Netanyahu said. "It will also be an opportunity to discuss with him how to advance in the critical months ahead the goals that are important for both our countries: Achieving the release of all our hostages, defeating Hamas, confronting the terror axis of Iran and its proxies, and ensuring that all Israel citizens return safely to their homes in the north and in the south."

Netanyahu's visit comes after months of growing tension with Washington over how Israel has conducted its offensive in Gaza after Hamas' unprecedented Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

Read more here.

UnidosUS Action Fund, the political arm of UnidosUS, the largest Latino civil rights organization in the country, officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president on Monday morning, saying that throughout her career, "Harris has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the issues that deeply impact the Latino community and all Americans." 

"Unidos Action Fund is really excited and proud to endorse Vice President Harris for president of the United States," UnidosUS Action Fund Executive Director Rafael Collazo told CBS News on Sunday. "We believe that she is the right leader for the moment to not only communicate the benefits that this administration ... But just as important, if not more importantly, her vision and their vision for the future and how the Harris administration will open up more doors of opportunities for the Latino community."

Collazo said, "Quite honestly, the overwhelming majority of Latino voters don't want to vote for Trump, but at the same time, don't have enough information about what this administration has done, how Vice President Harris has been instrumental in Latinos making those gains over the last few years and what her vision is for the future."

Collazo said there is "a lot of energy today," but stressed, "There's a lot of work to do"

"Latinos are hungry for information and I think they've been frustrated by a campaign season that has been dominated by the headlines around debates of ageism, and a lot of the drama around the last several months," Collazo said. "But now we're gonna listen to substance."

President Biden has frequently relied on Vice President Kamala Harris to be the White House's voice of unflinching support for reproductive health rights.

Now, as Democrats rebuild their presidential ticket just a few months before Election Day, Harris would widely be expected to take an aggressive stance in support of abortion access if she became the party's new presumptive nominee — hitting former President Donald Trump on an issue that could undermine his chances of victory.

"Most significantly, Harris would be the face of the drive to protect abortion rights," Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News, said in an interview before Biden stepped aside. "Abortion access would likely be front and center in her campaign."

A strong stance on abortion is not the only major contrast to the GOP that Harris offers: She is well versed in health policy. As a child, Harris often accompanied her mother to work on the weekends, visiting the lab where she was studying breast cancer.

Read more here from our partners at KFF Health News.

–By Stephanie Armour, Julie Appleby, Julie Rovner

A source familiar with the call confirmed to CBS News early Monday that Vice President Kamala Harris spoke the previous day with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who's been among the Democrats suggested as a possible vice presidential running mate as Harris works to mobilize support for her party's nomination.

Harris for President, the vice president's campaign to succeed her current boss President Biden as the nation's top elected official, said early Monday that since Mr. Biden's Sunday announcement that he was pulling out of the race and endorsing Harris as his replacement, "everyday Americans have given $49.6 million in grassroots donations to her campaign."

The figure communicated by the campaign just before 5:30 a.m. Eastern on Monday reflected a boost of about $3 million since its previous update, provided at around 9 p.m. Eastern, just hours after Mr. Biden withdrew.

A call Sunday evening among a group called "Win With Black Women" drew a record 40,000 participants from across the nation. The organization, which was instrumental in pushing for Vice President Kamala Harris during her 2020 campaign, said it had raised more than $1,000,000 in three hours during the call.

Last week the organization had published a letter with some 1,400 signatures supporting Mr. Biden's reelection bid, prior to his withdrawal from the race and his backing of Harris as his replacement at the top of the Democratic ballot.

–With reporting from CBS News' Erica Brown.

In its first news release, the Kamala Harris presidential campaign said, "Hundreds of elected officials from across the political spectrum followed President Biden's lead and announced their full-throated support for Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee for president to defeat Donald Trump in November.

"As Vice President Harris said, she "will do everything in [her] power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda."

It then listed many of them, "from Governors to Senators to House members," with brief statements from each.

First on the list: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who's been mentioned as a possible Harris running mate.

World leaders watching the U.S. election campaign have started to issue statements discussing their relationships with President Biden and offering thoughts on his decision not to seek reelection. 

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "I respect President Biden's decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency." 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Mr. Biden "for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country is "grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine's fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical," adding that "we respect today's tough but strong decision."

Read more here.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement Sunday night, "Every day, it is my honor to serve in President Biden's Administration."

"We at the Department of Homeland Security are protecting the American people, our homeland, and our values, in keeping with the President's vision. … We will continue to do so as we devote ourselves, throughout the months remaining in this Administration, to meeting President Biden's vision of what our country is and can be," Mayorkas said.

A senior House Democrat told CBS News they spoke with Harris on Sunday after endorsing her, and during the call Harris said she did not want a "coronation" to secure the nomination. Harris also told other House Democrats the same, according to this congressional member. 

The lawmaker believed this indicated Harris did not want to become the nominee solely through the expected virtual roll call in early August, but through rallying support from the pledged delegates.  

This lawmaker believes Harris should pick a Democrat from a battleground state as her running mate, and said they really liked Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona as a possibility for vice president. 

Vice President Harris spoke with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday, a source familiar with the conversation confirmed to CBS News. Harris also spoke with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Sunday, a source confirmed.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, tweeted that Harris called her, "and I told her I am 1000% in for her to be our President! She has the smarts, the experience, the accomplishments and the agenda to lead us to victory in November."

Harris also spoke with the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Steven Horsford, and with Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. 

Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to speak at the White House on Monday — her first public remarks since releasing her statement saying she intends to "earn and win" the Democratic presidential nomination.

Harris is slated to speak on the White House South Lawn at 11:30 am. ET at an event celebrating the NCAA championship teams from last season.  

ActBlue, the Democratic Party's online fundraising platform, said in a post on X that it raised $46.7 million from grassroots supporters by 9 p.m. ET following Biden's exit from the race and Harris' campaign launch.

ActBlue said that Sunday was the biggest fundraising day of the 2024 election cycle. 

Hollywood was quick to react to the news that Mr. Biden was dropping out of the race and endorsing Harris.

Barbra Streisand, a Democratic supporter, wrote on X that "we should be grateful for his upholding of our democracy."

While many paid tribute to Biden's presidency, others wondered about the future.

Cher wrote on X that she was "tortured" because she doesn't believe the Democrats could win without Mr. Biden. She said it was time to think "way outside the box" and proposed a split ticket.

Following the June debate, several high-profile Hollywood names called for Mr. Biden to exit the race. Just weeks after headlining a record-breaking fundraiser for the president's reelection campaign, George Clooney wrote a New York Times opinion piece urging Mr. Biden to end his bid.

Clooney argued that the party should pick a new nominee, saying the process would be "messy" but "wake up" voters in the party's favor. 

At least 26 Senate Democrats and 72 House Democrats had endorsed Harris by just before 9 p.m. ET Sunday.

They are among a growing number of Democrats voicing their support for Harris to lead the ticket, just weeks before the Democratic National Convention, which is set to be held in Chicago from Aug. 19-22.

The top Democratic leaders in Congress, however, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, as well as former speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, issued statements on Sunday that did not mention Harris. 

Vice President Harris' husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, posted a statement Sunday evening expressing his admiration for President Biden and first lady Jill Biden.

"I am deeply grateful to @POTUS and @FLOTUS for their years of friendship and support," he wrote. "President Biden is a true patriot who leads our nation with honesty, decency, and integrity. Alongside @VP, they have fought tirelessly for families and communities, delivering for Americans across our nation. I am so proud of their accomplishments and thankful for their leadership."

All six Black state attorneys general in the United States endorsed Harris for president on Sunday, saying there is no one more qualified than her "to lead and continue to uphold the values of our great nation."

New York Attorney General Letitia James said she is leading the coalition of the Black attorneys general - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Maryland Attorney General Athony Brown, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford - to endorse Harris. 

Leaders of two prominent labor unions spoke out in support of Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday.

Service Employees International Union, or SEIU, which represents 1.9 million workers in health care, public services and other occupations, wrote that Harris "has been a powerful and steady voice advocating for working people. Across industries and backgrounds, we will support her as our President." Harris spoke at the SEIU convention in Philadelphia in May.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said the union's executive council has voted to endorse Harris, though the decision will still have to be ratified by delegates to the AFT convention.

"Harris is fighting to restore Roe, fighting for families, for student debt relief and is a powerful advocate for workers," Weingarten wrote. 

—CBS News' Nidia Cavazos, Aaron Navarro

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a fellow Democrat whose name was sometimes floated as a potential candidate himself, threw his support behind Harris.

"Tough. Fearless. Tenacious. 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 posted on social media.

Harris' team has begun calling Democratic delegates to ask them to back her for the nomination, one delegate told CBS News, though many had not received calls from either Biden's or Harris' teams by early evening Sunday.

Steve Santasiero, a Pennsylvania state senator and Bucks County Democratic Party chair, said he's voting for Harris and observed, "There seems to be a lot of support coalescing around Harris."

He said that he has not received guidance from the DNC about what will happen next, but he expects "as we get into the week, we should know more."

He and other delegates praised President Biden for his decision to relinquish the nomination that was rightfully his, after he had won the vast majority of around 4,000 Democratic pledged delegates.

"I think we all owe the Joe Biden — he has once again put the welfare of the country ahead of himself, Santasiero said. "History is going to record that he saved Democracy in 2020 – it may be the same this year as well." 

Arizona delegate Roberto Reveles, 91, who is also running for state senator, said he's "extremely excited by the new dynamics." 

"I think it really throws the Trump campaign — throws them off pace," Reveles said. He also said that he expected Arizona delegates would support Harris. He added that at a candidate meeting in the district where he's running, he made a statement of support for her, and "everyone was enthusiastic."

One Nevada delegate expressed a desire not "to see a coronation."

"I don't have a problem with her," the delegate said. "I still think there may be some other candidates who are better equipped. I don't know if I've seen enough yet. Maybe I need to look some more."

"I like Josh Shapiro. I personally like the governors," the delegate added. "They have a tendency to be better presidents because they managed to handle the bureaucracy. They have that set up. I think Pritzker is a good candidate. And brings his own personal funding. He could certainly replace them himself. Aside from that — I think it'd be unique if Whitmer ran. Two female candidates would really disrupt the Biden side."

A close political aide to Sen. Joe Manchin, 76, tells CBS News the senator is "considering" a presidential bid, given today's developments and the outreach from donors urging him to launch a campaign.

The independent West Virginia senator is being inundated with calls from voters who want a moderate and who are upset that Harris is being "anointed" without a competitive process.

In an interview on "Face the Nation," before Mr. Biden's announcement, Manchin said he would not run. At the same time, he declined to say he'd support Harris and said he'd need to see a change in the Democratic policy platform to do so. He had words of praise for Governors Josh Shapiro and Andy Beshear.

Manchin would need to rejoin the Democratic Party if he were to run for president, which could easily be done. 

— CBS News' Ed O'Keefe, Margaret Brennan

First lady Jill Biden backed whatever decision her husband came to, which was only his decision to make, her spokesperson said. 

"Down to the last hours of the decision only he could make, she was supportive of whatever road he chose. She's his biggest believer, champion, and always on his side, in that trusted way only a spouse of almost 50 years can be," her communications director Elizabeth Alexander said in a statement. 

A source close to the Biden family distanced the president from his brother, Frank Biden, after he suggested the president may have ended his campaign due to health issues. 

"Frank Biden suffers from alcoholism and hasn't spoken to his brother, the president, in weeks. What he said about President Biden's health being a factor in his decision is completely untrue," the source said. 

Frank Biden told ABC News earlier that his brother's decision to step out of the race "boils down" to his "overall health and vitality" but also "beating this genuine threat to our nation in the form of Donald Trump."

Frank Biden also told CBS News in an earlier statement that he was "incredibly proud" of his brother. 

"Selfishly I will have him back to enjoy whatever time we have left in our lives," he said. "He is a genuine Hero. Country over self. Sounds corny in our cynical political environment but he nor I are cynical. The goal remains the same. Defeat Trump and continue the work Joe has done. My hope is our party rallies around this heroic act."

By Nancy Cordes, Corey Rangel 

Rep. Pramila Jayapal from Washington, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, announced her backing for Harris after the two spoke on the phone Sunday. 

"I told her I am 1000% in for her to be our President! She has the smarts, the experience, the accomplishments and the agenda to lead us to victory in November. Let's go!" she wrote on social media. 

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro endorsed Harris Sunday evening, calling it the "best path forward" for the Democratic Party.

In a statement praising her service, he said she's "ready to be President."

"The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency," Shapiro said. "The contrast in this race could not be clearer and the road to victory in November runs right through Pennsylvania – where this collective work began. I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as the 47th President of the United States."

Shapiro, who was viewed as a potential contender for the nomination in the wake of Mr. Biden's departure from the race, also said he has spoken with both Mr. Biden and Harris. 

Hunter Biden expressed gratitude for his father for his decades of public service, even as he experienced so much heartbreak through the deaths of his first wife and daughter in a car crash and later his son from brain cancer. 

"For my entire life, I've looked at my dad in awe," the president's son said in a statement. "How could he suffer so much heartache and yet give so much of whatever remained of his heart to others." 

"Over a lifetime I have witnessed him absorb the pain of countless everyday Americans who he's given his personal phone number to, because he wanted them to call him when they were hurting. When their last hopes were slipping through their hands," the statement said. "That unconditional love has been his North Star as a president, and as a parent. He is unique in public life today in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years. I'm so lucky every night I get to tell him I love him, and to thank him. I ask all Americans to join me tonight in doing the same. Thank you, Mr. President. I love you, Dad." 

Trump said in a social media post that he does not believe ABC News should host the next presidential debate, which is scheduled for Sept. 10.

Trump and Mr. Biden agreed to participate in two debates: The first, hosted by CNN, was held June 27, and ABC News said it would be holding the second in September.

Harris agreed to participate in a vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News, but the Trump campaign had not agreed on a date or network host for that debate. 

"My debate with Crooked Joe Biden, the Worst President in the history of the United States, was slated to be broadcast on Fake News ABC, the home of George Slopadopolus, sometime in September," Trump posted. "Now that Joe has, not surprisingly, has quit the race, I think the Debate, with whomever the Radical Left Democrats choose, should be held on FoxNews, rather than very biased ABC."

Delegates and party leaders are being told the Democratic roll call vote is expected to take place on Aug. 1, according to two delegates and a Democratic source in touch with the Biden campaign. The DNC has yet to confirm the date publicly, but has indicated it will provide more information soon. 

By Ed O'Keefe, Aaron Navarro, Jonah Kaplan (WCCO)

CBS News' Robert Costa spoke on the phone with Trump to get his reaction to news of the president dropping out. The former president called it a shock to the country and said he wasn't sure if Harris would be the Democratic nominee. Watch:

California Rep. Adam Schiff urged Democrats to unite behind Harris and said the party must focus its energy on helping her beat Trump.

"There is no better matchup than this superb former prosecutor against this convicted criminal, and she'll prosecute the case against Trump every single day," Schiff said in a statement.

The California Democrat is running for the Senate and expected to win in November. He was one of the highest profile House Democrats to push Mr. Biden to end his campaign for reelection.

Schiff echoed the sentiments of many of his fellow Democrats who have said Mr. Biden has accomplished more in his one term in office than many presidents do in two terms.

"Joe Biden has always put the country first and he did so again today, after more than 50 years of tremendous service," he said.

Schiff praised Harris as having the "experience, leadership and tenacity" to defeat Trump in the general election.

Biden for President, the president's principal campaign committee, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission changing its name to "Harris for President."

"NOTE: Committee Name is different than previously reported," the new statement of organization says, naming Kamala Harris as the candidate.

South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn said in a statement that he is supporting Harris' candidacy for the Democratic nominee for president. Clyburn is one of Mr. Biden's closest allies on Capitol Hill and had remained steadfast in his support for the president amid the calls for him to exit the race for the White House.

Referencing Mr. Biden's selection of Harris as his running mate in 2020, Clyburn said he echos "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."

The South Carolina Democrat also lauded Mr. Biden for his "unparagoned leadership" and said he has brought "the American people together through incredible trials and unfamiliar terrain."

Clyburn was instrumental in helping Mr. Biden secure the Democratic nomination in 2020, lending him his support before the crucial South Carolina primary.

Alan Solomont, a former U.S. ambassador to Spain and a major fundraiser for the Biden campaign who serves on its national finance committee, told CBS News he believes Harris is "best equipped" to defeat Trump. He said people have been contacting him and that he's been telling them "it's time to fall in behind the vice president and the person I believe will become the Democratic nominee."  

He called for the kind of unity and discipline he's seen in the Republican Party "to save this country from falling into the abyss." Solomont also said he's received emails from donors about contributing to Harris and predicted that "we're going to see a surge in support for Vice President Harris." Solomont also said his pick for VP for Harris would be Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.

Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, reacted to Mr. Biden's decision and Harris' potential nomination, saying "she owns" the "failures" of the Biden administration. He also accused Harris of lying about the president's mental acuity.

"Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way," Vance wrote. "Over the last four years she co-signed Biden's open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. She owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about Biden's mental capacity — 

saddling the nation with a president who can't do the job. President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoever's at the top of the Democrat ticket. Bring it on." 

Mr. Biden and Harris spoke multiple times earlier Sunday before the president's announcement exiting the race, according to a person familiar with their conversations.

An emotional Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, one of the president's closest allies, told CBS News that the president made a "very difficult decision" to "step aside in terms of the nomination of my party for president in order to make certain that Donald Trump is not returned to the White House."

He said he does not expect any serious challengers to Harris to emerge, and called on the party to come together behind her bid for the nomination. 

"Today I think we should focus on the legacy of Joe Biden as president. I do recognize the urgency of the moment as we head to our convention in Chicago in August. The most important thing we can do is come together," Coons said. "Vice President Harris has an incredible legacy of success and accomplishment as a senator and vice president. I do not expect a serious challenge to her nomination."

In her first statement since Mr. Biden withdrew from the race, Harris officially said she will be seeking the Democratic presidential nomination and intends to win it.

"I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda," she wrote.

She thanked Mr. Biden for his "extraordinary leadership," adding that it is a "profound honor" to serve as his vice president. 

"His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office," she said. "With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else."

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent running for president, issued a statement on social media saying that he felt Mr. Biden's "infirmities were evident to any unbiased observer from the beginning. It was this progressive deterioration — and his abandonment of Democratic Party principles — that prompted me to enter the race and ensure American voters had a viable, vigorous alternative to Donald Trump. "

Kennedy said he felt the party "should use neutral polling to identify the candidate who can best beat Donald Trump" rather than "anointing" a candidate chosen by "DNC elites."

"The delegates should then select a nominee based on this information," Kennedy said. "If they had done this to begin with, I would not have had to leave the Democratic Party."

The Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee are holding an all-hands staff call at 5 p.m., as they scramble to determine next steps. 

The DNC is supposed to have a virtual roll call for the nomination in August. But the Biden campaign and DNC have much to work out in the meantime, if that schedule holds. 

It's not known whether the president or vice president will join the party's call. 

— Ed O'Keefe, Fin Gomez, Aaron Navarro 

Former President Barack Obama released a lengthy statement that commended Mr. Biden as "a patriot of the highest order" and "one of America's most consequential presidents." 

"I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight," Obama said. "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. But I know he wouldn't make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. It's a testament to Joe Biden's love of country  —  and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow." 

Obama did not endorse Harris in the statement. He said the Democratic Party "will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead," but he has "extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges." 

"I believe that Joe Biden's vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August," Obama said. "And I expect that every single one of us [is] prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond."

Mr. Biden consulted family and allies, but he made the decision to drop out largely alone and in isolation, sources close to the president tell CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa. 

Those sources say the weight on the president's shoulders has been enormous, and he's felt extreme pressure as he has been isolated with COVID at his Delaware beach home since Wednesday night. 

The president's family members have told him he needs to do what's best for him, those sources said. But the president kept his ultimate choice very close to the vest. 

The president's decision ultimately came together with just three to four of his closest people in the last six to 12 hours, the sources said.

Rep. Nanette Barragán, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said on social media that she backs Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee and pledged to "work tirelessly to make sure she is elected as our next president in November."

Barragán, of California, also thanked Mr. Biden for his "lifetime of service to this country & the American people."

The president had sought to ensure the continued support of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus while he rebuffed the earlier calls to exit the presidential race. The group's political arm, BOLD PAC, announced Friday that it would be endorsing Mr. Biden.

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, who serves as the president pro tempore of the Senate, joined the growing list of Democrats throwing their support behind Harris as the party's presidential nominee.

"We must beat Donald Trump — and I know Kamala Harris can win. I am behind Vice President Harris 100% — she is exactly the woman we need to prosecute the case against Donald Trump, save American democracy, lead the fight to restore abortion rights, and build an economy that puts working people — not billionaires — first," Murray said in a statement. "I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as our next president."

Murray was the first woman to serve as the Senate's president pro tempore and has been a vocal advocate of abortion rights. She also offered thanks to Mr. Biden and said she has a "profound respect" for his willingness to exit the presidential race.

"America owes a deep debt of gratitude to Joe Biden for his historic leadership—a true patriot who loves this country," she said.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts backed Harris for president, calling her a "proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion." 

"As a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against allowing Donald Trump to regain the White House," she said in a statement. "We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November." 

She also praised Mr. Biden's presidency as "transformational" and said "he deserves full credit for beating Donald Trump in 2020. 

"His selfless decision today gives us our best shot at doing it again in 2024," she said. 

"While Donald Trump tried to tear down our democracy to maintain his grip on power, Joe Biden willingly stepped aside in order to protect our democracy. President Biden's selfless action is a profound gift to the people of the United States — and it's on all of us not to waste it." 

Former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined Mr. Biden in endorsing Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination and said it's time for the party to fight to make sure she is elected.

"We are honored to join the president in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her," the Clintons said in a statement. 

Citing Trump's comment that he would only be a "dictator" on his first day back in office and the Supreme Court's recent ruling on presidential immunity, the Clintons said they are concerned about the threat posed by a second term with Trump in office.

"Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we've got to elect her. America's future depends on it," they said.

The Clintons also offered praised for Mr. Biden for what they said is an "extraordinary career" in public service.

"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," they said.

Alan Clendenin of Florida, a member of the DNC's executive committee, previewed the path forward for the party, telling CBS News that the nomination is in the hands of the Democratic delegates.

"The delegates at the convention are the ones who place our candidate on the ballot. We will convene in Chicago. I'm not sure if the electronic voting is going to happen yet — whether it's that roll call ahead of time or in Chicago," Clendenin said. "We will have the procedures that have been outlined for two years now. The delegates will cast the vote."

He predicted that "a supermajority of folks are going to coalesce around the vice president," and said "the more interesting conversation is who her vice president could be."

House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi praised Mr. Biden, calling him "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." 

"God blessed America with Joe Biden's greatness and goodness," she added. 

Mr. Biden's withdrawal from the race for the White House marks the first time in decades an incumbent president has dropped their reelection bid. The most recent and closest precedent was in 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson declined to run for the Democratic nomination.

Johnson's announcement on March 31 kicked off a tumultuous process to find a replacement that ended in Vice President Hubert Humphrey becoming the nominee at the party's convention in Chicago.

This year's Democratic National Convention will also take place in Chicago and is set to begin Aug. 19.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Mr. Biden's record of public service and said the country is "forever grateful" to him.

"President Joe Biden is one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history," Jeffries, of New York, said in a statement. "In less than one term, he rescued the nation from a once-in-a-century pandemic, brought the economy roaring back from the brink of recession, enacted consequential legislation for everyday Americans and saved our democracy by defeating the Insurrectionist-in-Chief."

The House's top Democrat said the country is a better place today because of Mr. Biden's leadership.

In a call with Democratic officials regarding credentials for the upcoming convention, Democratic National Committee chairman Jamie Harrison said that he was "emotional" and "still riding with Biden." 

"I just want to say this on a personal level," he said. "I am emotional about the president's decision. Because this President Joe Biden has been a transformational president. He's been a great leader. He's a good man, a decent man who has done so much for this nation, but so much to see us as to value us to fight for us." 

He continued: "I'm emotional, because I am still riding with Biden. I still support my president and we will get through this, my friends, as we always do." 

In a social media post, California Gov. Gavin Newsom offered words of praise for Mr. Biden. Newsom has been mentioned as a possible presidential hopeful, though he remained supportive of the president amid the drumbeat of calls for him to leave the 2024 race.

"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," he wrote.

Newsom closed with thanks for Mr. Biden.

Mr. Biden's decision to exit the presidential race came after more than three dozen Democrats in Congress had publicly urged him to step aside. The calls began in the days following the June 27 debate with Trump, and continued into Sunday morning, when Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota joined the chorus of Democrats urging Mr. Biden to withdraw. Manchin is an independent who still caucuses with Democrats in the Senate.

Here is the full list of House and Senate Democrats who had openly called on the president to end his campaign.

In a social media post, California Gov. Gavin Newsom offered words of praise for Mr. Biden. Newsom has been mentioned as a possible presidential hopeful, though he remained supportive of the president amid the drumbeat of calls for him to leave the 2024 race.

"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," he wrote.

Newsom closed with thanks for Mr. Biden.

The decision to step aside before the Democratic convention, which begins on Aug. 19 in Chicago, is legally easy but politically difficult, according to Derek Muller, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame who specializes in election law. 

The decision on who would replace Mr. Biden on the ticket is left to the delegates at the Democratic convention, the National Task Force on Election Crises notes. 

Because he stepped aside before the convention, Mr. Biden will probably have significant influence on the Democratic Party's choice of who would take his place on the ticket. He is backing Harris. 

If Harris were to become the presidential nominee before the convention, she would be able to pick her running mate, perhaps another big-name Democrat who performed well in an open convention. 

Read more about the process here. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson called on Mr. Biden to resign from office and accused Democrats of nullifying the votes of millions of Americans who voted for the president during the primary process. 

"If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President," he said in a statement. "He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough."

He called the decision an "unprecedented juncture in American history." 

"We must be clear about what just happened," he said. "The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed 'party of democracy' has proven exactly the opposite."

Mr. Biden's granddaughter, Naomi Biden, took to social media to offer praise for the president, saying the world is better today because of him.

"I'm nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction," she wrote. "Not only has he been — and will continue to be — the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation's history."

Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as a top contender to replace President Biden at the top of Democratic ticket following his historic decision to withdraw from the 2024 race for the White House.

Mr. Biden roiled the general election when he announced Sunday that he would be stepping aside, ending weeks of pressure from within the Democratic Party that began after his shocking performance at the first presidential debate on June 27.

Read more about Harris, who has been endorsed by Mr. Biden for the Democratic presidential nominee.

Ron Klain, Mr. Biden's first White House chief of staff, took to social media to blame Democratic donors and elected officials of pushing the president out of the race for the White House, writing, "Now that the donors and electeds have pushed out the only candidate who has ever beaten Trump, it's time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign — our outstanding @vp, @KamalaHarris!!  Let's get real and win in November!"

In a post to his social media platform, former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, lambasted Mr. Biden.

"Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was!" Trump wrote. "He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement."

In a second post, he wrote that Mr. Biden "was not fit to serve from the very beginning, but the people around him lied to America about his Complete and Total Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Demise. Whoever the Left puts up now will just be more of the same."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer shared the following statement after President Biden announced his decision to drop out of the race:

"Joe 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.

"Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American."

President Biden announced his decision to end his campaign in a statement posted on social media:

"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 my term," Mr. Biden wrote.

In another post a few minutes later, he wrote: "My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it's been the best decision I've made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this."

Mr. Biden said he would address the nation later this week.