Kamala Harris Honors Biden's Legacy In First Speech Since President's Withdrawal

In her first public remarks since President Joe Biden endorsed her as the new Democratic nominee , Vice President Kamala Harris honored her partner in the White Houses legacy and integrity.

Speaking at a White House event celebrating NCAA championship teams, the California Democrat and new presumptive nominee praised Biden on Monday by saying that his legacy of accomplishments over the past three years is unmatched in modern history.

In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms in office, she said.

On Sunday, Biden announced that he would be dropping out of the race to be the Democratic Party s presidential nominee after a growing number in the party voiced concerns that the president, 81, is not a strong enough candidate to win against Republicans .

The president said he would serve the remainder of his term in the White House but that his decision to step aside would make room for the party to choose a new candidate with a better chance of defeating former President Donald Trump in November.

Immediately after that announcement, Biden formally endorsed his vice president as the new nominee, propelling a massive wave of Democrats to get behind Harris. The party will formally nominate its candidate at the Democratic National Convention beginning Aug. 19.

In her remarks Monday morning, Harris spoke about how she first got to know Biden through his late son, former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. The two spoke often and became friends while Harris was Californias attorney general.

Back then, Beau would often tell me stories about his dad. He would talk about the kind of father and the kind of man that Joe Biden is, she said.

The qualities that Beau revered in his father are the same qualities that I have seen every day in our president  his honesty, his integrity, his commitment to his faith and his family, his big heart and his love, deep love of our country, the vice president continued. And I am firsthand witness that every day our president, Joe Biden, fights for the American people, and we are deeply, deeply grateful for his service to our nation.

Harris is expected to give more detailed remarks at a campaign event in Delaware later Monday, according to the White House.