President Biden leaves the podium after delivering remarks on July 16 at the 115th NAACP National Convention in Las Vegas.
Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images
hide caption
convert caption
Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images
Following President Biden’s announcement that he will not seek re-election, Democrats in Congress have praised his decision and leadership, but many Republicans are using the moment to call for Biden to step down as president.
Democrats in Congress have spearheaded a campaign to force Biden to resign and now face a frantic race to replace him with the party’s nominating convention approaching in less than a month. The demands for Biden to step down are creating a complicated process that will force The party will launch a new campaign and at the same time defend Biden’s qualifications.
Democrats rush to praise Biden
Democrats responded with statements of praise focused entirely on Biden and support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ nomination. Senior leaders focused largely on Biden.
“Joe Biden is not only a great president and a great legislative leader, he is also a truly great human being,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said. written on X“His decision was certainly not an easy one, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today proved himself to be a true patriot and a great American.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement that “President Joe Biden is one of the most talented and influential leaders in American history….America is better today because President Joe Biden has led us with wisdom, grace, and dignity. We are forever grateful.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also issued a statement that did not mention Harris, a California native. Pelosi said Biden’s “vision, values, and leadership make him one of the most influential presidents in American history.
“With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving everyone the opportunity to achieve their full potential,” the statement read. “God has blessed America with the greatness and goodness of Joe Biden.”
Many grassroots members, like Rep. Hillary Scholten—a Democrat representing a competitive seat in Michigan—have seized the moment to endorse Harris.
“There is so much at stake in this election — let’s unite as a nation behind Vice President Kamala Harris and win against extremism this November,” she wrote. “There has never been an election more important for women’s reproductive rights, for our democracy, and for our future.”
Republicans say Biden must resign
House Speaker Mike Johnson called on President Biden to “resign” immediately, saying in a statement: “If Joe Biden is not qualified to run for President, he is not qualified to serve as President… November 5 cannot come soon enough.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik, also a member of the Republican leadership, echoed this sentiment: “If Joe Biden cannot run for re-election, he is unfit and unqualified to serve as President of the United States,” Stefanik, RN.Y., wrote on X. “He must resign immediately.”
They also quickly turned their attention to Harris as Biden’s potential successor, criticizing her record on the border and accusing her of covering up Biden’s “mental decline.”
“As second-in-command and a completely incompetent border czar, Harris has been a happy accomplice — not only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security, and prosperity, but also in the greatest political cover-up in American history. She has known for as long as anyone [Biden’s] “unable to serve,” Johnson wrote.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
