WATCH: In First Public Remarks, Kamala Harris Says Biden's Legacy Is 'Unmatched In Modern History'

Following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race on Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris joined American athletes at the White House for the NCAA Sports Day to deliver her first public remarks after the president's unprecedented announcement. During her brief remarks, Harris, who has been seen as the de facto successor on the Democratic ticket, honored Biden's legacy and argued that he has done more for the country as a one-term president than many of his predecessors.

After explaining that President Biden, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, is recovering and looking forward to getting back to his duties at the White House, the vice president took the time to honor the 81-year-old Democrat. "Our President Joe Biden wanted to be here today. He's feeling much better and recovering fast, and he looks forward to being back on the road. I wanted to say a few words about our president. Joe Biden's legacy of accomplishment in three years is unmatched in modern history," she began. "In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms in office." 

"I first came to know President Biden through his son, Beau," she said, referencing former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden (D-DE), who died from brain cancer in 2015. "We worked together as attorney generals in our states, and 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. 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 deep love of our country. And I am a first-hand witness that every day our President Joe Biden fights for the American people, and we are deeply grateful for his service to our nation."

Vice President Harris' remarks come after a tumultuous 24 hours that has completely shifted the presidential race just four months away from the general election on November 5. The president's announcement on Sunday, made via a letter posted to X, was not unexpected after weeks of Democrat lawmakers, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), working to oust Biden following his disastrous debate performance less than a month ago. Despite issuing the Sunday letter, President Biden, recovering from COVID-19 in Delaware, has yet to be seen publicly, making Harris' remarks the first public statement about Biden's withdrawal from the duo.

WATCH:

🚨 KAMALA HARRIS: Joe Biden's legacy over the past three years is unmatched in modern history.

She’s right.

It’s an unmatched disaster of constant failures.
pic.twitter.com/K4s0zxjVID

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 22, 2024