In his first speech since announcing his withdrawal from the presidential race, US President Joe Biden said that "saving our democracy" was "more important than any title."

Biden said in a speech in the Oval Office that his painstaking choice to step down, which came only after weeks of pressure from fellow Democrats, was made with the best interests of his party and his country in mind.

“My record as president, my leadership in the world, and my vision for America’s future are worthy of a second term,” the president said. “But nothing — nothing — can stand in the way of saving our democracy, and that includes personal ambition,” Biden said. “The best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That’s the best way to unite our nation.”

Speaking in a low-key, hoarse voice from behind the “Resolute Desk” (a mid-19th-century desk), Biden spoke of history and the present moment, trying to counter critics who say he should step down now and salvage a legacy that has been so tarnished in the past month.

The president, who at 81 is the oldest person to hold the office, did not explicitly say he was resigning because of his health or that polls showed he was likely to lose, acknowledging only that he stepped down "to unify my party."

Biden assured a watching nation that he was telling the truth, responding to weeks of questions about whether he and his aides had concealed the truth about his health and growing frailty as he sought another four-year term. “When I was elected, I promised to be with you always, to tell you the truth, and the truth is that the sacred cause of this nation is bigger than any one of us,” Biden said.

Unlike the 36th president, Lyndon Johnson, announcing in March 1968 that he would not seek a second term, the last time a president did so, Biden’s speech lacked any real element of surprise. But it was the president’s first spoken words about his decision to call off his reelection campaign since he broke the news on the X platform on Sunday, while still isolated at his Delaware beach home after testing positive for COVID-19.

His prime-time address was intended to offer a deeper, more personal explanation for the country than his initial written message, as well as a rallying cry for Vice President Kamala Harris, his replacement as the Democratic nominee, and their shared legacy.

Biden praised Harris, describing her as having the necessary "experience," "toughness," and "capability."

“There is a time and a place for new voices, new voices — yes, younger voices,” Biden said. “That time and place is now.”

He pointed to a number of accomplishments, including the absence of U.S. troops in conflict zones, as well as his priorities for the remainder of his term, including pushing for his "accomplishment" on a cure for cancer and reforming the Supreme Court.

“For the next six months, I will focus on doing my job as president,” he said. “And that means continuing to lower costs for hard-working families and growing our economy. I will continue to defend our personal freedoms and civil rights — from the right to vote — to the right to choose.”

In his 12-minute speech, the president embraced a legacy as the “bridge builder” — the unifier of ideas and bridger of conflicts — he promised to be four years ago. But the speech also came at a time when the party and the nation have been transfixed by Harris, who has taken the baton and run with it in a way that Biden can no longer do.

The change at the top of the Democratic ticket (to Harris) has sparked euphoria in a party that just days ago seemed divided and in disarray. Harris has received a flood of support, enthusiasm and new donor contributions that she had never had.

In some ways, not seeking a second term may be Biden’s most popular decision as president. A CNN/ORC poll released Wednesday found that 87 percent of all registered voters approved of his decision to end his campaign.

While Biden framed his decision as an example of a politician putting his country above his ambition, the past three weeks have made clear that he wanted to stay in the race. He has become only the transitional figure he promised in 2020 after his path to victory in 2024 collapsed following his disastrous debate performance on June 27 and the subsequent calls from dozens of Democrats for a new nominee, experts say.

“I have given my heart and soul to this nation, like so many others,” Biden said, describing America as “a nation of promise and possibility.”

"The great thing about America is here, and kings and tyrants do not rule," he continued.

Biden did not mention Trump by name. But as he has for more than a year, he again spoke of the upcoming election as an “inflection point.”

His closing words were a farewell to the American people.