The White House was noncommittal about whether President Joe Biden would discuss whether to seek reelection with his family over Thanksgiving dinner.
Biden has said that it is his “intention” to run again in 2024 but that he would talk it over with his family and make an announcement sometime next year.
“Look, I’m not going to get into private conversations that the president is going to have over the holiday with his family,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters during a gaggle aboard Air Force One on Monday. She also noted she was covered by the Hatch Act, which prohibits overt electioneering by most executive branch employees.
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“What I will say is just reiterate what the president said, basically what you just said, that he intends to run in 2024, that he plans to run in 2024, like he said, just reiterating what you just said to me, he’s going to have a conversation with his family,” she continued. “But not going to get into when that’s going to happen or what this is going to look like.”
Even as the midterm elections strengthened Biden’s hand, with Democrats retaining the Senate and losing fewer seats than expected in the House, exit polls showed two-thirds of voters do not want Biden to run again.
Public polling indicates many Democrats share this sentiment, especially those under the age of 30. A New York Times-Siena College poll over the summer found that 94% of Democrats in that age group preferred a different nominee for 2024.
But Biden will be difficult to dislodge coming off a better-than-expected midterm election and with no rivals appearing far along in putting together a campaign for the Democratic nomination.
The president and first lady Jill Biden are reportedly already engaged in preliminary talks about reelection planning.
Former President Donald Trump has already announced he will once again be a candidate for the Republican nomination. Last week, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to oversee Trump-related investigations at the Justice Department.
The White House was similarly tight-lipped about Trump’s reinstatement on Twitter, though Jean-Pierre noted the former president had yet to resume using the platform. She has also repeatedly said Biden has no advance knowledge or involvement in any developments related to the DOJ’s Trump inquiries, including the special counsel appointment.
A stronger-than-expected midterm election showing might also prevent a major White House staff shake-up, though there have been periodic reports about changes in Biden’s economic team. Jean-Pierre wouldn’t preview any personnel moves on Monday.
“The president is incredibly confident in his team here,” she said, “and is proud of the historic work that has been done these first two years.”
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Jean-Pierre credited Biden with “the most significant economic recovery package since Roosevelt,” “the largest infrastructure plan since Eisenhower,” “the most sweeping gun reform bill since Clinton,” and “the largest climate change bill in history.” She did acknowledge that the White House is searching for new talent.
Jean-Pierre took questions as the Bidens were traveling to North Carolina for a Friendsgiving event with military service members and their families.
