U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he is "passing the torch to a new generation" as he explained his abrupt departure from the 2024 presidential race to Americans for the first time on Wednesday night, in an Oval Office address capping over 50 years in politics.

"I revere this office," Biden said. "But I love my country more."

Biden, 81, rebuffed weeks of pressure from Democrats to step aside after a disastrous debate performance on June 27, saying at one point that only the "Lord Almighty" could convince him to go.

"I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation," Biden said.

Biden made his decision after days of soul-searching and agonizing over internal polling that predicted he could lose against Republican Donald Trump in November and drag down fellow Democrats with him.

It was Biden's first extended public remarks since he relented to pressure from fellow Democrats and announced on Sunday via social media that he had decided not to seek reelection on November 5.

(With input from Reuters)

(Cover: U.S. President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2024, /Reuters)