This browser does not support the Video element.
‘Out of mulligans’: Illinois Democrats call on Biden to step aside
President Joe Biden is facing more pressure to step aside in the race against Donald Trump.
U.S. Reps. Sean Casten and Jesus "Chuy" Garcia" called on President Joe Biden to relinquish his re-election bid Friday morning.
Casten published an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune, touted Biden's accomplishments but said it is time for him to open the pathway for a new candidate.
"It is with a heavy heart and much personal reflection that I am therefore calling on Joe Biden to pass the torch to a new generation," Casten wrote. "To manage an exit with all the dignity and decency that has guided his half-century of public service. To cement his legacy as the President who saved our democracy in 2020 and handed it off to trusted hands in 2024 who could carry his legacy forward."
Garcia released a joint message with three other representatives, calling on Biden to "reinvigorate the race" by ending his run for re-election.
"[We] must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign," the statement read. "These perceptions may not be fair, but they have hardened in the aftermath of last month's debate and are now unlikely to change. We believe the most responsible and patriotic thing you can do in this moment is to step aside as our nominee while continuing to lead our party from the White House."
Several high-profile Democrats have been applying pressure on Biden to exit the race.
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, a Chicago-area representative, praised Biden for his accomplishments while in office but said the time had come for the president to "heroically pass the torch to a new generation of leadership to guide us to the future he has enabled and empowered us to pursue."
This browser does not support the Video element.
U.S. Rep. Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia calls on Biden to leave race
U.S. Rep. Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia called on President Joe Biden to relinquish his re-election bid Friday morning.
Additionally, Rep. Eric Sorensen echoed Schneider and called for Biden to step aside in the presidential race.
Sorensen's posted a statement to X after Biden's post-NATO press conference, which read in part:
"President Joe Biden is a good man who has spent the bulk of his life in service to our country. His work has been devoted to growing the middle class and building opportunity for all people. In 2020, Joe Biden ran for President with the purpose of putting country over party. Today, I am asking him to do that again… I am hopeful President Biden will step aside in his campaign for President."