President Joe Biden, who is sequestered away for the time being after being diagnosed with COVID despite receiving multiple vaccinations for the virus, made an announcement on Friday that took scores of Democrats by surprise.
Namely, Biden announced that he would return to the campaign trail next week amid growing calls for him to drop out. “I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to continue exposing the threat of Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America: one where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone,” the president said in a statement issued by his campaign. “The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win.”
White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates confirmed the news in a July 19 post on X. President Biden has faced calls from several dozen Democratic lawmakers to step down as the party nominee following his scrutinized debate performance with former President Donald Trump on June 27. The president acknowledged he had a “terrible night” and was underprepared but remains committed to staying in the race. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated to reporters this morning in Brooklyn that his position on the Democratic ticket has not changed. The congressman fervently supports Biden, The Epoch Times reported.
The most recent call for the president to step down came from Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), the state’s senior senator in a competitive race. He said in a July 18 statement that President Biden should step down as the nominee. Tester expressed appreciation for the president’s “commitment to public service and our country” but believes “President Biden should not seek re-election to another term.”
He joined Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who’s running for California’s open Senate seat. Schiff on Thursday also urged the president to step aside and give the mantle to another candidate to “secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election.”
The Epoch Times added:
Many of the lawmakers, who had publicly stated they believe President Biden should not seek reelection, face tough elections this year in competitive swing states or districts.
On July 17, President Biden abruptly canceled his events in Las Vegas, Nevada, after it was announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
On Thursday, a report said that Democrats speaking with top White House officials believe Biden is preparing to announce that he will not seek reelection. The report from Axios suggests that the embattled president could make a decision this weekend, according to insiders who sought confidentiality to share confidential discussions.
Co-founders Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen, who are regarded as leaders in the Washington, D.C. political scene and have numerous contacts, noted that mounting pressure from senior Democrats, such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), has reached a point where it cannot be ignored.
The impending change in direction is expected to occur shortly after President Biden recovers from his recent bout with Covid. Currently in isolation and without a public schedule, this has left him alone with his thoughts, pondering the potential repercussions for his party should he choose not to step down, the report said. Even former President Barack Obama, one of Biden’s most trusted allies, has not put a stop to former advisors such as David Axelrod and liberal celebrity George Clooney from openly urging Biden to consider withdrawing from the race.