BREAKING: Sanders endorses Biden

Former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday endorsed party rival Joe Biden for the nomination.

The Vermont Independent senator dropped out of the race earlier this month follow a series of primary losses to Biden, a former vice president. 

Sanders made the endorsement in an unexpected appearance on a Biden livestream campaign event, after saying for days that his backing of Biden would have to come with some assurances that he would embrace at least some of Sanders' progressive platform. 

“Today I am asking all Americans. I’m asking every Democrat, I’m asking every independent, I’m asking a lot of Republicans to come together in this campaign to support your candidacy, which I endorse," Sanders said.