Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP / Getty Images
In her first public appearance since President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris praised Biden's leadership during his time in office.
"Joe Biden's legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history," Harris said during an event at the White House celebrating the 2023-2024 NCAA championship teams. "In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms."
Harris then recalled how she first met the Biden family.
"I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We worked together as Attorneys-General in our states," Harris said.
"Back then, Beau would often tell me stories about his dad. He would tell me about the kind of father and the kind of man that Joe 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 love, deep love of our country – and I am firsthand witness that every day our President Joe Biden fights for the American people and we are deeply, deeply grateful of his service to our nation."
Harris, who was endorsed by Biden after he ended his reelection bid, did not speak about her campaign to replace Biden on the ballot.
After the event, Harris will travel to Wilmington, Delaware, to meet with her campaign staff. Now that Biden has dropped out of the race, Harris will take over his campaign apparatus as she attempts to win the Democratic nomination for president.