After weeks of speculation following a poor showing at last month’s debate, after an assassination attempt and the Republican National Convention boosted Trump’s chances, today Joe Biden announced that he is withdrawing his candidacy for the Democratic nomination. 

In a letter posted on social media, Biden said, “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 to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”  In a separate post, he later endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.  

In a post to his social media platform, former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, mocked 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.”

Key Republicans pounced on two major points following the announcement. First, Biden’s withdrawal invalidates the votes of millions of Democratic primary voters. In an election where Democrats repeatedly suggested that “Democracy itself is on the ballot,” it seems quite the hypocritical move to nullify the primary results and go with some kind of rushed or backroom nomination process. Second, many questioned whether Biden could continue in his current role if he admitted that he is unfit to run for President.  

Democrats were quick to try and shift the focus toward defeating Donald Trump, even as they scramble to define a process and find a new nominee. 

TNM President Daniel Miller made the following statement: 

President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election underscores the volatility and uncertainty within the federal political arena. The Democratic Party’s potential to nominate a candidate even more hostile to Texas independence is a stark reminder of the urgent need for us to take decisive action.

Texas must prioritize its path toward independence to secure a future that aligns with our values of freedom, self-governance, and prosperity. The time to act is now. We must unite, mobilize, and advocate for a Texas that stands strong and independent.

Let this be a rallying call to all Texans who value liberty and independence. Together, we can build a future where Texas thrives as a free and sovereign state.

Uncertainty is the only thing in US politics today that is certain. Can Trump stay out of court and out of jail?  Can the Secret Service protect high-level officials from danger?  Can Biden actually function, or are things as bad as they look?  Can either party’s nominee look out for Texas’ best interests?  Is either nominee likely to shrink the Federal Government, manage inflation, or make meaningful change regarding perpetual war and a skyrocketing national debt?  Everywhere we turn, the best we can get out of US politics is “maybe.”

Texans deserve better.  We deserve leaders who represent our interests first.  We deserve a government that is by Texans for Texans.

Will Biden’s withdrawal work for or against Texas’ independence?  That answer is also uncertain, but one thing is certain: Texas will be better off as an independent, self-governing nation.  Being yoked to an unstable and ineffective government is not the best way forward for Texas.