WASHINGTON - It's been rumored for months, but now former vice president Joe Biden says he's officially running for president.
The announcement was made in a video posted online Thursday morning and he did not mince words when it comes to President Donald Trump.
"If we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will fundamentally alter the character of this nation, who we are. I cannot stand by and watch that happen. The core values of this nation, our standing in the world, our very democracy, everything that has made America America is at stake," Biden said.
Biden will be joining a pool of more than 20 Democratic presidential hopefuls.
The 76-year-old will be the second-oldest Democrat in the race after Bernie Sanders.
Elected to Congress back in 1972, Biden is the longest-serving senator in Delaware history.
He has already run for president twice, both times withdrawing. The first was in 1988 amid instances of plagiarism. The second time, back in 2008, where he eventually signed on as Barack Obama’s running mate.
Biden touts his Scranton, Pennsylvania roots and embodies a folksy style that has caused a few gaffes in his career.
And behind his toothy smile there's also heartbreak. Just six weeks after his 1972 election victory, Biden’s wife and daughter were killed in a car crash, landing his three boys in the hospital.
Years later in 2015, Biden’s eldest son, Beau, passed from brain cancer, which drove his decision not to run in 2016.
Since leaving office, Biden continues to be a strong voice in the party.
In January 2017, former president Barack Obama surprised him with the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Biden’s 2020 campaign launch comes amid several women accusing him of making them deeply uncomfortable, invading their personal space.
No one has formally accused Biden of sexual misconduct.
Biden is reportedly holding his first campaign event next week in Pittsburgh.
He will then travel to the early voting states Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire.