More pressure is mounting on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race as five additional House Democrats joined the call for him to step aside. On Friday, Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), and Marc Pocan (D-Wisc.) urged Biden to “pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders.”
In a joint statement, the lawmakers expressed their admiration for Biden’s service but stressed the need for new leadership. “Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership, and deep appreciation for everything we have accomplished together during your presidency, it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders,” the statement read.
They highlighted the urgency of defeating former President Donald Trump and the importance of protecting democracy, alliances, and the international order. The lawmakers cited widespread public concerns about Biden’s age and fitness, which they believe are jeopardizing his campaign.
“We must defeat Donald Trump to save our democracy, protect our alliances and the rules-based international order, and continue building on the strong foundation you have established over the past four years.
At this point, however, we must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign,” they stated.
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Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) also independently urged Biden to step aside. “It’s time for Joe Biden to pass the torch,” Casten wrote, adding that the election is being litigated over public gaffes and senior moments, which he believes Biden cannot effectively overcome.
The growing number of Democratic lawmakers calling for Biden’s withdrawal reflects increasing concern within the party about the viability of his candidacy in the face of mounting public scrutiny over his age and fitness for office.
