Joe Biden addresses the nation: 'honor of my life to serve as your president'; Josh Shapiro and Kamala Harris spoke
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is often named as a potential vice presidential nominee for Harris, but said he hadn’t submitted vetting paperwork.
President Joe Biden addressed the nation about his decision to drop out of the 2024 election.
Fox News is proposing a debate in Pennsylvania between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on Sept. 17, though the network is open to a different date. Here's what we know about the upcoming debates.
Trump is scheduled to speak at a rally in North Carolina at 6 p.m. Harris spoke to members of a historically Black sorority in Indiana Wednesday afternoon.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he spoke with Harris, but not about becoming her vice presidential nominee. Here's what would happen in Pennsylvania if he becomes Harris' running mate.
Bucks County is now the only Republican majority county in the area. What does that mean for November?
Biden recalls his roots in Scranton and Delaware
While sharing his nostalgic and hopeful thoughts about the United States, President Joe Biden honored his Pennsylvania roots.
Biden, 81, was born in Scranton, where his roots trace back to 1851. His parents and both sets of his grandparents met there. He moved to Delaware at the age of 10, but he maintained close personal relationships and professional ties to Scranton in the decades since he left.
“My fellow Americans, it has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years,” he said from the Oval Office Wednesday night. “Nowhere else on earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Claymont, Delaware, one day sit behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office as President United States. But here I am.”
— Aliya Schneider
March for Our Lives endorses Harris
March for Our lives, a gun control advocacy group founded by survivors of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president in its first political endorsement ever.
The group called her “a forceful champion for gun safety and for young people,” and said she’s worked with the organization through the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which Harris oversees.
“Kamala Harris has proven herself to be a thoughtful and forceful leader on gun violence, who has time and again listened to young people and fought for our lives,” said March for Our Lives cofounder David Hogg, an activist and survivor of the Parkland shooting.
Jill Biden says it's now time to put trust in Kamala Harris; Nancy Pelosi salutes President Biden
First Lady Jill Biden thanked the supporters of Joe Biden, and asked that they now support Vice President Kamala Harris' candidacy to replace the president.
"To those who never wavered, to those who refused to doubt, to those who always believed, my heart is full of gratitude," Jill Biden said in a statement posted on social media.
"Thank you for the trust you put in Joe — now it’s time to put that trust in Kamala," she said.
Biden says nation has not always lived up to ideals, but has not walked away from them, either
President Joe Biden sounded both philosophical and patriotic as he concluded his speech.
The appearance was the first time Americans could see him since he fell ill with COVID-19 and subsequently dropped out of the race. Biden called into Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign event Monday in his first public comments since dropping out, but people could only hear his voice.
“America is an idea,” he said Wednesday night. “An idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant. It’s the most powerful idea in the history of the world.”
Biden touts his record of accomplishments
Along with laying out his agenda for the rest of his term as president, President Joe Biden wistfully looked back on his term so far.
“We were in the grip of the worst pandemic in the century, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War,” he said. “We came together as Americans. We got through it. We merged stronger, more prosperous and more secure.”
He touted economic improvements, lower border crossings, climate and gun safety legislation, the first Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court, and lower prescription drug prices for seniors.
— Aliya Schneider
Biden praises Kamala Harris: 'she's been an incredible partner to me'
President Joe Biden praised Vice President Kamala Harris, and outlined the stakes of the election as determining the future of democracy.
“She’s experienced, she’s tough, she’s capable, she’s been an incredible partner to me and leader for our country,” he said of Harris.
Biden quoted Ben Franklin saying America is “a Republic, if you can keep it,” drawing the stakes of the election.“Kings and dictators do not rule, the people do,” he said.
— Aliya Schneider
Biden says he will focus on serving the rest of his term
President Joe Biden said he will focus on serving as president in the coming months.
“You know, there is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life, there's also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices,” he said. “And that time and place is now.”
He said he would keep working to end the war in Gaza, and bring home Americans who are detained around the world, grow the economy, and call out hate and extremism, among a laundry list of issues.
— Aliya Schneider
Biden says saving democracy more important than 'personal ambition'
Coming to terms with the decision to give in to pressures to drop out, Biden said that the importance of uniting the party has become clear to him in recent weeks.
He admitted he believes his record and vision warrants a second term.
"But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy," he said. "That includes personal ambition.”
— Aliya Schneider
Biden begins speech: 'honor of my life to serve as your president'
President Joe Biden started his first public visual appearance since dropping out of the presidential race by talking about the significance of the Oval Office, naming off some of the country’s most historic presidents.
“I revere this office, but I love my country more,” said Biden, who recently recovered from COVID-19. “It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title.”
— Aliya Schneider
DNC unveiling 'Thank You' Biden billboards in Scranton, Wilmington following his address
Following President Biden’s address to the nation tonight, the DNC is unveiling billboards in Scranton and Wilmington thanking him for "the historic progress he’s delivered not only in the last four years, but through his entire career."
“The accomplishments of Joe Biden’s presidency in just three and a half years stand unmatched in modern American history," said DNC Spokesperson Addy Toevs.
"President Biden not only guided us through the pandemic and rebuilt our economy with over 15 million jobs – his vision for this nation will leave a lasting positive impact on working families. President Biden took historic steps to lower health care and prescription drug prices, championed our fundamental freedoms, stood up for Americans suffering under predatory student loans, passed the largest climate bill in history, and invested in an American infrastructure and manufacturing boom. In the face of unprecedented challenges, President Biden has always stood by his values and the American people.”
Candidate for Pa. treasurer says she doesn’t want Shapiro for Harris’ VP, breaking from party members’ endorsements
While many Pennsylvania Democrats are publicly advocating for Gov. Josh Shapiro to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, at least one is pushing an alternative — and taking some shots at Shapiro.
Erin McClelland, the Democratic candidate for treasurer in Pennsylvania, posted her endorsement of North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Twitter on Tuesday night — alluding to criticisms of Shapiro.
“I want a VP pick that’s secure enough to be second under a woman, is content to be VP & won’t undermine the President to maneuver his own election & doesn’t sweep sexual harassment under the rug,” McClelland wrote on X.
Harris to speak at teachers' union event in Houston Thursday
Following stops in Milwaukee and Indianapolis this week, Vice President Kamala Harris will appear in Houston Thursday to give a keynote speech at a teachers' union event.
Harris is scheduled to speak at the the American Federation of Teachers' national convention in Houston as part of what will be her second visit to Texas this month, the White House said. Previously, she appeared in Dallas earlier this month for a keynote speech at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.'s Boulé event.
Delegates from the 1.8 million-member AFT on Monday voted to endorse Harris for president, with federation president Randi Weingarten saying in a statement that members are "united, mobilized and ready to vote in this year’s election."
Kamala Harris should pick [insert here] to be her VP nominee
Until Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, makes an announcement on her vice presidential pick, we’re free to keep speculating. In a twist to our Stay or Go series, we’re letting Inquirer readers vote on who should join her on the ticket, in something we’re calling Choose or Lose.
So far, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly has received the most thumbs up with 70% of readers saying they would “choose” him to join Harris. Pa. Gov Josh Shapiro and KY Gov. Andy Beshear follow him with 64% and 51% of the vote respectively.
Elsewhere it’s not looking good for a shock career pivot for Ocean’s Eleven actor and Nespresso salesman George Clooney – who has only received 13% of Inquirer reader’s votes.
» READ MORE: Make your picks
Fox News proposes new Pa. debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris
Fox News is proposing a new debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris that would take place in Pennsylvania on Sept. 17 if the two candidates agree to participate, according to letters sent to both campaigns obtained by the Inquirer.
“We are open to discussion on the exact date, format and location — with or without an audience,” wrote Fox News president Jay Wallace and vice president of politics Jessica Loker.
Variety was first to report the news of the proposed debate, which would be moderated by Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
Kamala Harris speaks to historically Black sorority in Indiana
Black Greek life evidently means so much to Harris, that her first speech and appearance since becoming poised to become the Democratic presidential nominee, was the keynote speech at Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s national convention in Indiana.
Speaking there, she didn’t hold back when exposing the differences between her policies and beliefs and that of Republican Donald Trump.
“In this moment,” Harris said, “I believe we face a choice between two different visions for our nation: One focused on the future, the other focused on the past. And with your support, I am fighting for our nation’s future.”
Josh Shapiro said he spoke with Kamala Harris, but not about being a VP nominee
Gov. Josh Shapiro said he has not spoken to Vice President Kamala Harris since Sunday when Harris called to ask for the governor’s endorsement and seek advice on defeating Trump in Pennsylvania, Shapiro said at a press conference in New Castle, Pa. about an unrelated topic.
“That’s all we discussed, and she and I have not spoken since then,” he said.
Shapiro referred questions about the vice presidential vetting process to the Harris campaign when asked whether his team had received any outreach.
Malcolm Kenyatta, Sharif Street warn about Trump-linked Project 2025
Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Sen. Sharif Street gathered in North Philadelphia on Wednesday to drive home the Democratic party’s message in the wake of President Joe Biden’s exit from the race: Vice President Kamala Harris is the nominee who can beat Donald Trump in November.
Kenyatta, a longtime Biden surrogate in the region, joined Street – chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party – to tout Harris’s record on abortion and gun control, and more broadly, to signal to voters that a second Trump term would be harmful to everyday Philadelphians.
“America has been this incredible experiment in self-government,” Kenyatta said. “Vice President Harris has spent a career standing up for the people, standing up for democracy. Donald Trump, on the other hand, says he wants to be a dictator on day one.”
Trump files FEC complaint to block Harris from receiving Biden campaign funds
Former President Donald Trump filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of perpetrating a “$91.5 million heist” of President Joe Biden’s campaign funds, according to CNN.
The campaign argued the funds raised for Biden cannot be transferred to Harris and that the campaign's attempt to do so would violate the FEC’s strict contribution limits.
Several campaign finance experts, however, have repeatedly said Harris can easily take over Biden’s campaign funds because her name was also on the ticket. That ability to shift funds was a major driver in the quick consolidation of Democratic support behind Harris in the days since Biden announced he was suspending his reelection campaign.
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis says he's ready to serve, praises Josh Shapiro
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said he’s ready to serve as governor, whenever he’s tapped to do so.
Davis, who is second-in-command to Gov. Josh Shapiro, would complete Shapiro’s term if a lot of hypotheticals take place: if Shapiro is chosen as Kamala Harris’ running mate — and if they won in November. Shapiro is one of several candidates on a short list for VP.
But he’s prepared to take over, whenever he may be asked, he said at an unrelated news conference in Lancaster on Wednesday.
Philadelphia’s Democratic Party takes unusual step of endorsing a VP 'nominee'
It’s clear by now that Philadelphia Democratic Chair Bob Brady and area Democrats really wants Gov. Josh Shapiro to be Kamala Harris’ running mate.
And in a vote the city party made that endorsement official on Tuesday.
“This evening, the Philadelphia Democratic Party met to formally (and unanimously) add our names to the list of endorsements for Vice President Harris to be the Democratic nominee for President,” the party announced in a fundraising email.
'Veep' viewership is way up
When Vice President Kamala Harris announced her presidential bid, social media posts poured in making comparisons to Veep, the popular HBO series where Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays the vice president of the United States and takes over as the president.
FBI director calls Trump assassination attempt an 'attack on our democracy'
FBI Director Christopher Wray called the July 13 assassination attempt against Donald Trump during a Butler, Pa. campaign rally as an “attack on our democracy and our democratic process” as he opened testimony Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee.
Wray was asked to provide lawmakers with updates on its investigation into the motivations and preparations of the shooter – Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa.
Here are some of the highlights of what he’s shared so far:
Crooks flew drone near the rally site two hours before his attack. Wray told lawmakers that investigators now believe Crooks had flown an aerial drone roughly 200 yards away from the rally stage just before 4 p.m. and appeared to have been reviewing the footage on his phone. The device and its controller were later recovered by agents from his car, the FBI director said.
Three explosive devices were recovered. Agents recovered three “relatively crude” explosive devices in the moments after the shooting – two from Crooks’ car and one from his home in Bethel Park. While describing them as relatively unsophisticated, he told members of the committee “they did have the capability to be detonated remotely.
Pennsylvania State Police reveal new details in Donald Trump shooting
Would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks fired eight shots into the crowd during Donald Trump’s July 13 rally in Butler, Pa., the head of the Pennsylvania State Police told a congressional committee Tuesday.
That information was among the new details about the assassination attempt that emerged during testimony from Col. Christopher Paris before the House Homeland Security Committee during the second in a series of oversight hearings this week.
Here are some of the highlights:
Crooks fired eight times: Paris told the committee that eight shell casings have been recovered from the scene of the shooting at the Butler Fair Grounds. Officials had previously said only that the 20-year-old Bethel Park man had fired multiple rounds hitting Trump, injuring two members of the crowd and killing one spectator, Corey Comperatore.
Local law enforcement had been tasked with securing building from which Crooks shot. The U.S. Secret Service had left securing the building from which Crooks fired off those shots to the Butler County Emergency Services Unit, Paris said. He told the committee that structure, fell outside the security perimeter established by the Secret Service. Meanwhile, the 32 Pennsylvania State Police troopers detailed to the rally that day played only a limited role: manning the former president’s motorcade and assisting U.S. Secret Service inside the security perimeter it had established around the rally site, the colonel said.
Two local officers left posts to hunt for Crooks. Two local officers assigned to a building with a vantage point over the roof from which Crooks’ eventually fired his shots had left their duty posts several minutes before opening fire to search for him, Paris said. The colonel told lawmakers that the officers – members of the Butler County Emergency Services Unit – departed to search for Crooks on the ground after other officers had flagged him acting suspiciously. At that point, Paris said, authorities had not determined that Crooks posed an imminent security threat. He added that it was not clear that the officers would have been able to see Crooks climb onto the roof from where he opened fire if they’d remained in their assigned positions.
Crooks opened fire within three minutes of climbing onto the roof of a nearby building. Roughly three minutes passed between Crooks’ climbing on to the roof and firing off his first shots, Paris said. In that time, a local officer attempted to climb up and confront the would-be shooter, but fell from his position after Crooks pointed his rifle at him. That interaction occurred only seconds before Crooks turned his weapon on the Trump and the crowd.
Local officers called in reports of Crooks’ suspicious activity well before the shooting. Paris said he did not believe local authorities were inside a remote, unified command post from which the Secret Service was monitoring event security. But a local officer who had taken a photo of Crooks outside the security perimeter and flagged him as suspicious shared that image on a text thread that included Pennsylvania State Police personnel who were inside the command post. Paris said state police “verbally turned right around and gave [that image] to the Secret Service.”
FBI Director Christopher Way testifying on Trump assassination attempt
FBI Director Christopher Wray will be the next law enforcement official to face grilling by U.S. House members this week as Congress continues to probe the circumstances that led to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump during a July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pa.
Wray is expected to testify before the House Judiciary Committee at a 10 a.m. hearing Wednesday.
That proceeding follows Monday’s tense questioning by members of the House Oversight Committee of U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. She resigned her position a day later amid bipartisan calls for her to step down over her agency’s failure to prevent the attack.
Democratic candidate for Pa. treasurer doesn't want Josh Shapiro as Kamala Harris' VP
While many Pennsylvania Democrats are publicly advocating for Gov. Josh Shapiro to be Kamala Harris’ running mate, the Democratic nominee for treasurer is pushing for North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper — and taking some shots at Shapiro.
Erin McClelland, the Democratic candidate for treasurer in Pennsylvania, posted her endorsement of North Carolina’s governor on Twitter on Tuesday night — alluding to criticisms of Shapiro.
“I want a VP pick that’s secure enough to be second under a woman, is content to be VP & won’t undermine the President to manuever his own election & doesn’t sweep sexual harassment under the rug,” McClelland wrote on X.
When is Joe Biden speaking tonight?
President Joe Biden will address the nation tonight following his decision to end his reelection campaign and drop out of the 2024 race.
Biden is scheduled to speak at 8 p.m. Eastern from the White House.
The speech will be hard to miss. Every cable news network and most likely all the broadcast networks will carry Biden's address live. You can also stream it here, courtesy of PBS.
Donald Trump to rally in North Carolina
Former President Donald Trump will attend his first public rally since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and thrusting Vice President Kamala Harris into the spotlight.
Trump is scheduled to speak at 6 p.m. Eastern at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C. His speech comes less than a week after accepting the Republican nomination and less than two weeks since being wounded by a would-be assassin at a Western Pennsylvania rally.
Trump’s rally is also the first since Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after taking “full responsibility” for allowing a gunman to get so close to the former president. Trump’s rally in Charlotte and an upcoming event over the weekend in St. Cloud, Minn. are being held at indoor arenas.
— Rob Tornoe
Kamala Harris campaign schedule has stops in Indianapolis, Houston
Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to travel to Indianapolis Wednesday, where she will give a keynote speech at a sorority event.
Harris will appear at Zeta Phi Beta's Grand Boulé event Wednesday, the White House has announced. The event serves as the historically Black sorority's convention, and marks another early appearance for Harris as she begins her campaign for the presidency following President Joe Biden's decision to not seek reelection over the weekend.
Founded in 1920, Zeta Phi Beta is among nine historical Black sororities and fraternities, which are commonly referred to as the Divine Nine. Harris herself is is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., another Divine Nine sorority.
Josh Shapiro is getting VP hype after big Pa. win — against a weak opponent
Gov. Josh Shapiro has a track record of winning big in Pennsylvania.
As a candidate for attorney general, he was one of few Democrats to win statewide in 2016, and he got more votes than President Joe Biden in 2020. In 2022, he drove up Democratic margins from the Allegheny to the Schuylkill and became governor in a 14-percentage point win that outperformed Biden’s 2020 victory in all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
That record has led some Democrats to hypothesize that, with him on the ticket, Vice President Kamala Harris could stand a much better chance of bringing home must-win Pennsylvania.