What's Happening

Politics

Biden Addresses the Nation for the First Time Since Ending His Reelection Bid

What's going on: Speaking from the Oval Office last night, President Biden said he dropped out of the 2024 election “in defense of democracy” and “to pass the torch to a new generation.” In his 11-minute speech, Biden — who is still recovering from Covid — spoke of the country’s need for fresh and “yes, younger voices.” He touched on his administration’s accomplishments, from appointing a Black woman to the Supreme Court to signing the first major gun safety law in nearly 30 years. The president also outlined plans for his remaining time in office, including ending the Israel-Hamas war, calling for reforms to the Supreme Court, and supporting cancer research. Biden also urged Americans to “preserve our democracy" and reminded voters “kings and dictators do not rule — the people do.”

What it means: President Biden is the first commander in chief in more than 50 years to not seek a second term. His speech marked the beginning of the end of his White House tenure, as he enters a lame-duck presidency. Yet, his farewell-style address did little to directly answer what finally led him to end his campaign with less than four months until Election Day. Meanwhile, it’s not clear how much more Biden will be able to accomplish during the remainder of his term — especially as Republicans control the House. While his political career has spanned more than 50 years, Biden’s legacy may come down to whether or not Vice President Kamala Harris, whom the president described last night as “experienced” and “tough,” can beat former President Trump in November.

Related: A Look at Biden’s Legacy So Far and His Political Career (AP)

Politics

Racist, Sexist Hate Speech Spikes Days Into Kamala Harris’ Campaign

What's going on: Vice President Kamala Harris stands to be the first Black and South Asian female presidential candidate — a point of attack among conservatives. Right-wing politicians and media personalities have called Harris a “DEI candidate,” attributing her political career to her skin color. Harris has also been accused of sleeping her way to the top and is the target of unvalidated “birther” conspiracies due to her immigrant heritage. Meanwhile, her husband, Doug Emhoff, is on the receiving end of antisemitic attacks. Recent analysis from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) found that hateful and violent speech toward Harris rose 33% on Truth Social and 50% on Telegram from July 19 to July 21.

What it means: Harris isn’t the first candidate to face these kinds of attacks. Former President Obama and Hillary Clinton got their fair share of it. However, Harris could be getting the worst of it. Even during the 2020 Democratic primaries, the Wilson Center found that Harris faced more gendered abuse and targeted disinformation than other female candidates. Now, some congressional Republican leaders are warning their members from using that playbook against Harris, urging them to focus on her political career and policies under the Biden administration. That’s because racist or misogynistic attacks against Harris could alienate swing voters like suburban women or voters of color.

Related: Opinion: JD Vance and the “Cat Lady” Conundrum (Glamour)

US News

Fatal Police Shooting of Sonya Massey Sparks Nationwide Outrage

What's going on: The killing of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman and mother, by a white sheriff’s deputy in Illinois earlier this month is drawing national attention. Police body camera footage — released earlier this week — shows Sean Grayson, a 30-year-old sheriff’s deputy, shooting an unarmed Massey in the head in her kitchen after she called 911 to report a possible intruder in her home. Grayson has worked at six law enforcement agencies in four years, according to records from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. A grand jury indicted him last week on several charges, including three counts of first-degree murder. The Department of Justice said it is “assessing the circumstances” and will follow the case.

What it means: Massey’s killing is a stark reminder of how quickly police encounters can turn violent for Black people, even when they call for help. Black Americans make up about 14% of the US population but are killed at more than twice the rate of white Americans, according to The Washington Post’s database on police shootings. Massey is one of several Black women killed by police in their homes in recent years, like Breonna Taylor and Atatiana Jefferson. Her death has renewed calls for police reforms, which have taken a back seat in the years following George Floyd’s murder.

Related: Massey’s Father Says the Family Was “Misled” About How She Died (People)