Biden says ‘history is in your hands’ –as it happened

This blog is now closed. You can read our full story on Biden's address at the link below:

• Joe Biden explains decision to drop out of the election: Best way to unite our nation'

Kevin McCarthy, the former Republican House speaker, has described attacks by his former colleagues on Kamala Harris claiming that she was hired as part of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are stupid and dumb".

McCarthy, speaking to NBC News' Meet the Press NOW last night, said:

I disagree with DEI, but she is the vice-president of the United States, she is the former US senator. These congressmen saying it, they are wrong in their own instincts.

If President Biden is committed to passing the torch to his vice president, and wants to be able to seed her campaign with the current Biden for President campaign war chest, he'll first have to become his party's legal nominee. After shuffling through the Democratic National Committee's planned roll call vote he'd be free to drop out. Ms Harris could seamlessly slip into the driver's seat.