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Biden Tells White House Audience He’s ‘Not Going Anywhere’ Amid Calls For Him To Withdraw From The Race

U.S. President Joe Biden, right, and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris applaud after speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Fully vaccinated Americans can do away with wearing masks, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today, the most significant shift in federal guidelines since the start of the pandemic. Photographer: Tasos Katopodis/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images

On Thursday, during a Fourth of July barbecue at the White House, President Joe Biden addressed service members and their families, assuring the crowd that he’s “not going anywhere” and took a jab at former President Donald Trump.

“I was in a World War I cemetery in France…the former president didn’t want to go and be up there. Which I probably shouldn’t have said,” Biden said, prompting a murmur of laughter from the crowd.

“Anyway, we gotta just remember who the hell we are. We’re the United States of America,” he added.

Following his remarks, a supporter shouted, “Keep up the fight. We need you.” The president replied, “You got me, man. I’m not going anywhere.”

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During the first presidential debate last week, Biden made a similar jab at Trump, referencing a 2020 Atlantic report alleging that the former president called service members “suckers” and “losers,” claims Trump denies.

Biden continued with unscripted remarks during the White House event alongside First Lady Jill Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, reaffirming his commitment to service members and their families.

“I got in trouble for saying this years and years ago, but I make no apologies for it. We have many obligations as the government but only one truly sacred obligation, sacred: prepare those we send into harm’s way and to care for them and their families when they come home and, when they don’t, their families,” said Biden.

“We’re all part of a long chain of patriots that stretches back to our nation’s founding, that’s given life to the very idea of America,” he added.

Biden’s public events have faced heavy scrutiny since last week’s presidential debate, where he seemed to lose his train of thought, forget his words and stare off into space at times.

While most party officeholders remain supportive of Biden, three House Democrats have urged him to withdraw from the race. Other Democratic allies have also expressed concerns about his ability to run a successful and competitive campaign.

While Biden’s campaign team admitted that last week’s debate performance was not his best, they have firmly rejected calls for him to step aside, stating that he remains focused on beating Trump, who has been unusually quiet as Biden fights for his political future.

Riley Flynn