After President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he would not seek a second term, a growing number of lawmakers and political commentators, primarily from the Republican Party, are calling for his resignation. The move came in the wake of a widely criticized debate performance last month, during which Biden appeared disoriented and struggled to answer questions, leading many to question his fitness for office.
Concerns Over Mental Decline
Republican leaders have voiced their concerns, citing Biden’s visible mental decline as a national security risk. They argue that his condition should have been addressed much earlier, with some questioning whether his close associates, including Vice President Kamala Harris, were aware of his struggles and why they did not take action under the 25th Amendment to address his fitness for office.
Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), who has been rumored as a potential running mate for former President Donald Trump, took to social media, demanding that Biden step down. “If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President?” Vance tweeted. “Not running for reelection would be a clear admission that President Trump was right all along about Biden not being mentally fit enough to serve as Commander-in-Chief.”
Immediate Reactions from Republican Leaders
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was quick to weigh in, calling for Biden’s resignation: “If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), House GOP Conference Chair, also demanded that Biden step down, stating on social media, “The Democrat Party is in absolute free fall for their blatantly corrupt and desperate attempt to cover up the fact that Joe Biden is unfit for office.”
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) echoed similar sentiments, tweeting, “Then RESIGN your office. If you can’t run a mere political campaign, you can’t be President.” Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) added, “Being President is the hardest job in the world, and I no longer have confidence that Joe Biden can effectively execute his duties as Commander-in-Chief.”
Savannah Viar, deputy communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee, also weighed in, noting, “Democrats can’t have it both ways. If Joe Biden can’t handle a debate or a rally, he can’t stand up to Putin or have access to the nuclear codes.”
Biden’s Endorsement of Kamala Harris
After announcing his withdrawal from the race, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor in the Democratic primary. However, this decision sparked backlash from within the Democratic donor base. John Morgan, a major Democratic donor, declared that he would not support the party financially if Harris becomes the nominee, citing her liberal stance.
Morgan, a Florida lawyer, expressed doubts about Harris’s ability to win in a general election. “If Trump World could pick anybody to run against, I think they pick her,” he said. On social media, Morgan speculated that Biden’s endorsement of Harris could be seen as a message to those pushing him out of the race: “Joe Biden’s endorsement of Kamala is his ‘f*** you’ to all who pushed him out. Be careful what you wish for.”
The Road Ahead for the Democratic Party
As the debate over Biden’s decision continues to unfold, the future of the Democratic Party remains uncertain. With Biden out of the race, many questions remain about the direction the party will take and how it will address internal divisions. Meanwhile, the Republican Party, eager to capitalize on Biden’s perceived weaknesses, is poised to make the upcoming election even more contentious.