Joe Biden formally announces he will run for a second term as US president

Joe Biden formally announces he will run for a second term as US president

Joe Biden has formally announced he is running for re-election in 2024, asking voters to give him more time to “finish the job” – with vice president Kamala Harris right by his side.

The announcement of his run for the 2024 election comes four years to the day since he declared his initial bid for the White House by promising to heal the “soul of the nation” amid the turbulent administration of former president Donald Trump.

Already the oldest president in history – Mr Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term.

Mr Biden said in a pre-recorded video message: “Personal freedom is fundamental to who we are as Americans. There’s nothing more important. Nothing more sacred.

“That’s been the work of my first term: To fight for our democracy.

“When I ran for president four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America. And we still are.

“The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer.

“I know what I want the answer to be and I think you do too. This is not a time to be complacent. That’s why I’m running for re-election.”

In a statement on Twitter, Ms Harris said: “As Americans, we believe in freedom and liberty-and we believe that our democracy will only be as strong as our willingness to fight for it. That’s why @JoeBiden and I are running for reelection.”