Former President Barack Obama reacted to President Joe Biden’s decision not to run for reelection in 2024, calling him “one of America’s most consequential presidents” and “a dear friend and partner to me.”

“Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me,” posted on X/Twitter. “Today, we’ve also been reminded – again – that he’s a patriot of the highest order.”

Read Obama’s full statement.

Biden served as Obama’s vice president from 2009-2017.

Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election.

The decision comes after escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former president’s many falsehoods.

Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon ET on Jan. 20, 2025.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.