What has been the reaction in the US to the future of the Democratic presidential nomination?

On Sunday, President Joe Biden triggered an “earthquake” in the United States by abandoning his re-election bid and declaring his support for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, important figures of the Democratic Party such as former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris herself have expressed their position on the future of the presidential race and the government.

Republican reaction

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has lashed out at Biden after withdrawing from the presidential election, arguing that he was unfit to run for or hold office.

“We will suffer greatly from his presidency, but we will repair the damage he has done quickly,” Trump said.

Trump’s running mate JD Vance also called on President Biden to resign.

Republican Congressman Mike Johnson said replacing Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee would be “illegal.”

Johnson argued that each state has its own electoral rules and that it would be a legal challenge to propose another Democratic candidate instead of Biden.

The president has maintained that he will remain in office until the end of his term. However, after the announcement, Johnson called for him to resign “immediately”.

HuffPost also reported that Republicans themselves and affiliated groups such as the Heritage Foundation could file lawsuits against the Democratic nominee, a conflict that could become more complicated given that numerous judges were installed during Donald Trump’s term.

Democratic Party figures support Harris or recognize Joe Biden

Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her gratitude for Joe Biden’s “extraordinary leadership” as president of the United States and his decades of service to the country.

Harris said it was a profound honor to serve alongside him as vice president and expressed her gratitude.

“With this patriotic and selfless act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and his country above all else.”

Harris said she was honored by the president’s support, but expressed her intention to “win” the nomination.

Adding, “I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extremist Project 2025 agenda.

Following Biden’s announcement, former President Bill Clinton and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton declared their support for Harris amid concerns that Trump could win a second term.

“Now is the time to get behind Kamala Harris and fight with everything we have to elect her. The future of America depends on it.”

This contrasts with what was said by former President Barack Obama, who had Biden as his vice president for eight years and supported him throughout his term, but now only highlighted his work, without expressing his support for Kamala Harris.

In his remarks, Obama expressed confidence in Democratic Party leaders to create a process where an “outstanding nominee emerges.”

Internal process in the Democratic Party

Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said Sunday that there will be a “transparent and orderly” process to select the 2024 presidential candidate following Biden’s announcement.

Before Biden’s resignation, senior Democratic Party officials had suggested holding a primary with select candidates, including Harris, to decide the candidate.

Currently, the vice president is the only candidate who can access the funds raised by the Biden-Harris campaign so far.

Among those who have been floated as vice presidential candidates are Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.