Biden: I plan to run for reelection in 2024

President Biden on Thursday said that he plans to seek reelection in 2024.

“My plan is to run for reelection,” Biden told reporters during his first formal press conference as president. “That is my expectation.”

Biden said that he “would fully expect” Vice President Kamala Harris to be his running mate.

During the 2020 campaign, Biden did not commit to seeking a second term in office, saying he was focused on saving the “soul” of America after four years of Trump in the White House.

The 78-year-old became the oldest person ever elected president in the United States by defeating the then-oldest, Trump, in November. Biden would be 82 on Jan. 20, 2025, Inauguration Day for the winner of the next election.

Had Biden chosen not to run, Harris would have been considered a frontrunner for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination.

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks as US President Joe Biden looks on during a listening session with Georgia Asian American and Pacific Islander community leaders at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia on March 19, 2021. (Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images)
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks as US President Joe Biden looks on during a listening session with Georgia Asian American and Pacific Islander community leaders at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia on March 19, 2021. (Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images) (Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images)

On the Republican side, Trump who still refuses to concede his 2020 election defeat — has teased the possibility he might run again in 2024. If he does, he would likely be considered the frontrunner for the GOP nomination. Other potential Republican candidates include Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Josh Hawley (Mo.), who promoted Trump’s election fraud claims, as well as Sen. Mitt Romney (Utah), who dismissed them.

Asked whether he expects to face Trump in another general election campaign, Biden demurred.

“I have no idea,” Biden said. “I have no idea if there will be a Republican Party.”

U.S. President Joe Biden smiles while speaking during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (Oliver Contreras/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
U.S. President Joe Biden smiles while speaking during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (Oliver Contreras/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images) (Oliver Contreras/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Earlier, Biden explained why he has not yet filed paperwork for a reelection campaign like his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, did on his first day in office.

“My predecessor needed to,” Biden said, laughing. “My predecessor — oh God, I miss him.”

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