Rep. Adam Schiff, a prominent Democrat running for the US Senate in California, publicly urged President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race on Wednesday. Schiff is the first Democrat to make such a call following the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump over the weekend.
Schiff, who is not in a swing district and maintains close ties with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, emphasized the need for Biden to pass the torch to ensure a successful defeat of Trump in the upcoming election.
"While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden's alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch. And in doing so, secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election," Schiff said.
A staunch critic of Trump, Schiff served as an impeachment manager during one of Trump's impeachments. In his statement, he praised Biden's legacy but expressed concern over the current state of the nation and Biden's ability to defeat Trump.
"Our nation is at a crossroads. A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November," Schiff stated.
Schiff's remarks follow Biden's poor performance in a CNN debate last month, where Schiff previously suggested that Biden should consider his campaign's future. In response to Schiff's call, a Biden campaign official cited Biden's July 8 letter to congressional Democrats affirming his intention to stay in the race and his support from Democratic lawmakers, including Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragan.
The Democratic Party faces internal conflict about the path forward, with fears that Biden's candidacy might jeopardize down-ballot Democrats in November. Despite these concerns, the Democratic National Committee plans to proceed with its strategy to virtually nominate Biden at the Democratic convention in Chicago next month, disregarding growing calls from party officials to reconsider.
