Rep. Adam Schiff, a prominent elected Democrat and candidate for US Senate in California, has publicly called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the race. Schiff's announcement comes in the wake of the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump over the weekend, making him the first Democrat to urge Biden to step aside.
Schiff, known for his role as an impeachment manager during one of Trump's impeachments, emphasized the need for Biden to pass the torch and secure his legacy of leadership by allowing the defeat of Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Despite praising Biden's legacy, Schiff expressed concerns about the nation's future, stating that a second Trump presidency would undermine democracy.
Following Biden's lackluster debate performance last month, Schiff had previously suggested that the president should make an informed judgment about the future of his campaign. In response to Schiff's call, a Biden campaign official referenced a letter from Biden to congressional Democrats reaffirming his intention to stay in the race and highlighting support from Democratic lawmakers.
The Democratic Party is facing internal turmoil over Biden's electability against Trump and the potential impact on down-ballot Democrats in November. Despite growing calls from some party officials to reconsider the nomination strategy, the Democratic National Committee is moving forward with plans to virtually nominate Biden ahead of the Democratic convention next month.
