Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Friday said he would have defeated Donald Trump in the recently concluded presidential election had he remained in the race.
However, he maintained that his decision to step aside was crucial for maintaining unity within the Democratic Party.
In response to questions during a press conference, Mr. Biden, 82, expressed no regrets over his decision to withdraw from the presidential race in July, months before the election. His move paved the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee.
“I don’t think so,” he said when asked if his decision to quit the race had made it easier for Mr. Trump to secure victory. “I think I would have beaten Trump, could have beaten Trump, and I think that Kamala could have beaten Trump, would have beaten Trump.”
The president’s withdrawal followed a challenging period for his administration. Mounting criticism from within the party, concerns about his health, and a lacklustre performance in a debate with Mr. Trump fuelled doubts about his electability.
In his remarks, Mr. Biden emphasised that his decision was driven by a desire to ensure a united front for the Democratic Party in a high-stakes election.
“It wasn’t about me,” he said. “I thought it was important to unify the party. When the party was worried about whether or not I was going to be able to move forward—even though I thought I could win again—I thought it was better to unify the party.”
Despite stepping aside, Mr. Biden said he remained confident in Ms. Harris’s ability to win the presidency and carry the party forward. “It was the greatest honour of my life to be president of the United States, but I didn’t want to be the one who caused a party that wasn’t unified to lose an election,” he added.
Mr. Biden also expressed his belief that Ms. Harris could run for the presidency again in the future, though he left the decision to her. “I think she’s competent to run again in four years, but that’s a decision for her to make,” he noted.
Plans after presidency
The outgoing president also ruled out retreating from public life, indicating that he intends to remain engaged in national affairs. “I’m not going to be out of sight, out of mind,” he said.
Responding to queries about potential pardons, including for himself, Mr. Biden was categorical. “I have done nothing wrong,” he stated, dismissing any plans to pardon himself or other members of his family.
The remark came amid scrutiny over his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, during his presidency, a move that drew sharp criticism from his political opponents.
Mr. Trump, who will be inaugurated for his second term on January 20, is expected to outline his administration’s vision for the next four years, marking a significant politic
