Pressure Mounts on Biden as Democrats Urge His Withdrawal from 2024 Race
US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to run for re-election in 2024, despite mounting pressure from within the Democratic Party for him to step aside. Biden, who is recovering from COVID-19 at his Delaware beach home, issued a defiant statement on July 20, vowing, “The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win.” He insisted that he would return to the campaign trail next week and took aim at former President Donald Trump’s “dark” rhetoric at the Republican National Convention.
However, Biden’s resolve comes as a growing number of Democrats publicly call for his withdrawal. Around 25 House Democrats and three senators have now urged Biden to drop out, citing concerns over his health and a series of polls showing him trailing Trump in key battleground states. In a joint letter, several influential Democrats, including members of the black and Hispanic caucuses, urged Biden to “pass the torch” to a younger candidate.
The revolt within Biden’s party has escalated since his lackluster debate performance against Trump in June 2024. Reports also emerged that senior party figures, including former President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, were privately voicing concerns over Biden’s candidacy. Despite these challenges, Biden’s campaign continued to express confidence, with campaign chairwoman Jen O’Malley Dillon asserting that Biden is “more committed than ever to beat Donald Trump.”
Amid growing defections, speculation intensified that Biden was considering a dignified exit strategy. Some reports suggested that Biden was consulting family members over the weekend about his next steps, though no final decision had been made. If Biden were to withdraw, Vice President Kamala Harris would likely become the front-runner to replace him as the Democratic nominee, though questions remain about her ability to take on Trump in a head-to-head race.
Biden’s internal party struggles are mirrored by Trump’s continued strong performance, including a triumphant speech at the Republican National Convention on July 18. With less than four months to go before the November 5 election, the Democratic Party faces significant uncertainty as Biden’s future in the race remains in question.
