Biden appeals to Americans to “preserve our democracy” after he drops out of the 2024 race. FBI Director Christopher Wray reveals new details about the Trump assassination attempt. And NBC News hears what really goes on inside Olympic villages.
Here’s what to know today.
Biden says it’s time to ‘pass the torch’ to a new generation
President Joe Biden addressed his decision to end his re-election campaign from the Oval Office, framing it as a “defense of democracy” and passing “the torch to a new generation.”
“I revere this office, but I love my country more. The defense of democracy is more important than any title,” Biden said. “I draw strength and find joy in working for the American people. But this sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me. It’s about you. Your families. Your futures. It’s about ‘We the People.’” America’s going to have to choose between moving forward or backward,” Biden said. He added, “Our republic is now in your hands.”
“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,” Biden said in a low tone. “That is the best way to unite our nation.”
He offered praise for his vice president, Kamala Harris, who has rapidly consolidated support within their party after he endorsed her for the Democratic presidential nomination. “She’s experienced, she’s tough, she’s capable,” Biden said. “She’s been an incredible partner to me and leader for our country.”
In his remarks, which lasted about 11 minutes, Biden touted his presidency’s achievements, while looking forward to goals he hopes to accomplish in the last six months of his term.
The speech marked the beginning of Biden’s effort to close this chapter — ending his presidency, finishing 50 years in public service— and preserving his legacy.
Watch Biden’s full Oval Office address here.
More coverage on the 2024 race:
Netanyahu criticizes protesters in fiery speech to Congress
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant, nearly hourlong speech to Congress in his first address to U.S. lawmakers in nearly a decade.
Netanyahu directly addressed the protests against his handling of the war in Gaza, on college campuses across America’s cities — including the hundreds who marched outside the Capitol during his speech. “Incredibly, many anti-Israel protesters, many choose to stand with evil. They stand with Hamas. They stand with rapists and murderers,” he said. Objection to the war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians, led to roughly 40 Democrats in the House and Senate boycotting the address, outraged at his policies and the U.S.’ military support for it. Democratic Rep. Rashia Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman to serve in Congress, held up a small sign at Netanyahu that read “war criminal” and “guilty of genocide.”
He later accused the protesters at the Capitol of being funded by Iran, referencing a recent statement from the U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines that Iran is “seeking to encourage protests and providing financial support to protesters.” Netanyahu said he had a message for the protesters: “You have officially become Iran’s useful idiots.”
Netanyahu’s speech came at a critical period: The U.S. is in the middle of a chaotic election year, and the Biden administration continues to push negotiators toward a cease-fire agreement that could end the war in Gaza. Netanyahu asked for more support and noted the conflict could end immediately if Hamas released hostages, but vowed to continue fighting.
FBI Director Christoper Wray reveals new details about how Trump rally shooter carried out attack
The 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Crooks, who tried to assassinate Trump researched President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed in a testimony. Crooks searched “how far away was Oswald from Kennedy,” referring to the 1963 assassination.
He also had a firearm with a collapsible stock, making it easier for him to conceal the weapon, Wray testified. It would explain why witnesses didn’t see him walking around with a weapon beforehand and why the firearm wasn’t spotted until Crooks was already on the roof.
The FBI still does not know Crooks’ motive. Wray said it has been frustrating that the investigation has not “yielded significant clues.”
Wray’s testimony has offered the clearest timeline of Crooks’ activities on the day of the shooting and in the week leading up to it, highlighting his level of preparation.
U.S. stocks have their worst day since 2022
The stock market, including the nation’s top tech companies, saw their worst performance in years this week. The drop comes as Wall Street traders decide to pull back their investments in firms heavily betting on artificial intelligence. Tesla shares fell 12.3% and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, fell more than 5%, its biggest drop since January. With these losses, interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve could come as soon as September, some traders say.
“Although it might already be too late to fend off a recession by cutting rates, dawdling now unnecessarily increases the risk,” former Federal Reserve Bank of New York President Bill Dudley wrote in a Bloomberg News column.
While the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq still experienced healthy gains, rising unemployment rates and increased consumer borrowing indicate a broader economic pullback in the the months to come.
Yellowstone closes Biscuit Basin for the season after hydrothermal explosion
An area of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming where a hydrothermal explosion launched steam and debris into the air will be closed for the rest of the season because more blasts may occur, officials said. No one was hurt in the blast in Biscuit Basin, 2 miles northwest of Old Faithful.
The geyser was hundreds of feet high, and rocks the size of grapefruit were found hundreds of feet away, officials said. A boardwalk was also destroyed. The hydrothermal explosion was caused by “water suddenly transitioning to steam in the shallow hydrothermal system beneath Black Diamond Pool,” the U.S. Geological Survey said.
What happens inside the Olympic villages? Athletes gave us a tour
There’s a crucial part of the Olympic experience that remains largely unknown to spectators and off-limits to fans: the athletes’ village.
In recent weeks, NBC News spoke with Olympians about life inside the residential complexes where thousands of athletes sleep, eat, train and socialize. This year, the villages in Paris are across three towns, in Saint-Denis, Saint Ouen and L’Île-Saint-Denis. It’s expected they will house 14,250 athletes during the Olympic Games and some 8,000 athletes during the Paralympic Games.
They likened the villages to summer camps, college dorms, crowded hotels and — in the words of gold medalist swimmer Mark Spitz — a “gigantic cruise ship.”
More Olympic highlights:
Politics in Brief
Border wall fraud: Steve Bannon is expected to stand trial starting Dec. 9 over charges that he defrauded donors with an online fundraiser to build additional miles of wall along the southern border.
Local laws: Michigan has banned criminal defense attorneys from using a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity as a defense argument.
Internet safety: The Senate plans to vote this week on a pair of children’s online safety bills, but it’s unclear how long it could take to pass in the House.
Staff Pick: ‘Brat summer’ propels Kamala Harris’ campaign
Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination has been bolstered by an unexpected group of supporters: Charli XCX fans. It’s a rarity for a candidate to embrace the meme world. Confused by all the lime green on the internet and mashup videos of Harris dancing? Don’t worry, Kat Tenbarge and Daysia Tolentino break it all down. Welcome to ‘brat’ summer! — Anahita Pardiwalla, social storytelling editor
In Case You Missed It
NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
Are you fired up for the Olympics? The opening ceremony is tomorrow, and NBC Select rounded up everything you need to know about when and how to watch, including streaming. And if you’re not fully set up to watch, check out recommendations for the best TV brands, according to experts, and a roundup of editors’ favorite streaming devices.
Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Both.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
