Biden's family offers words of support after decision to drop out

Members of President Biden’s family are offering public words of support after his decision to drop out of the presidential race on Sunday.

Naomi Biden, the president's grand-daughter, said she was proud of his decision to step aside.

“I’m nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction," said Naomi Biden, the daughter of Hunter Biden.

"Not only has he been — and will continue to be — the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history,” Naomi Biden wrote on social media platform X.

“He has been at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years. Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours,” she continued.

Naomi Biden’s message came minutes after the president announced his decision to step aside following weeks of calls from Democrats to do so. Biden's family had offered him support in those days, saying he should stay in the race.

First lady Jill Biden also reacted to Biden’s statement about his political future with a heart emoji on X.

Later on Sunday, Naomi Biden posted a statement from Hunter Biden about the president’s decision.

"For my entire life, I've looked at my dad in awe. How could he suffer so much heartache and yet give so much of whatever remained of his heart to others? Not only in the policies he passed, but in the individual lives he's touched," he wrote in a statement shared by his daughter on X.

Hunter Biden noted that he has seen his father "absorb the pain of countless everyday Americans."

"That unconditional love has been his North Star as a President, and as a parent. He is unique in public life today in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years," he said.

"I'm so lucky every night I get to tell him I love him, and to thank him. I ask all Americans to join me tonight in doing the same," he added.