Biden tells congressional Democrats he is "firmly committed" to staying in 2024 race

Washington — President Biden on Monday sent a letter to congressional Democrats saying that he is "firmly committed" to staying in the race and making clear that he wouldn't be running again if he "did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024."

Lawmakers are returning to Washington this week after a July 4 recess, which came as questions about Mr. Biden's ability to serve another term roiled the political sphere following a disastrous debate performance last month. A slow leak of Democratic lawmakers have since called on Mr. Biden to step aside from the race. But the president has been clear that he will not drop out. 

In the letter, the president cited the votes he received in the primaries so far, saying "the voters of the Democratic Party have voted," and selected him as their presumptive nominee. Mr. Biden surpassed the number of delegates needed to clinch the Democratic Party's nomination in March, and now has secured 3,896 delegates. There are 1,976 delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination at the convention in August.