Politics

Dem rep tells Biden point-blank to step aside, prompting hasty end to Hispanic outreach call

By
Steven Nelson
Published July 12, 2024, 4:44 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON — A House Democrat directly asked President Biden to end his campaign for a second term on a Friday conference call meant to shore up support among Hispanic party members in Congress — the most direct known request by an elected lawmaker for the 81-year-old to give up his re-election bid.

The request by Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) prompted call organizer Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) to rapidly end the Zoom meeting, after she had already ignored a request to speak from Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), the Albritton Journalism Institute reported.

Perez, 36, has asked Biden to resign as president in addition to handing off the nomination.

It’s unclear what exactly the 81-year-old president said in response to Levin, whose district covers parts of San Diego and Orange counties in Southern California.

Biden, who is relying upon a shrinking group of trusted advisers who heavily curtail access to him, scoffed Thursday at mounting calls for him to step aside while hosting a defiant press conference at the NATO summit in Washington.

Levin, 45, urged Biden publicly to step aside after the call.

Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif., in a suit and tie, speaking in his office
Rep. Mike Levin directly asked President Biden to step aside on a Friday Zoom call intended to rally lawmakers with Hispanic heritage. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

“Like so many of you, I was naturally concerned about President Biden’s performance in the recent debate,” he said in a statement.

“Making this statement is not easy. I have deep respect for President Biden’s five plus decades of public service and incredible appreciation for the work we’ve done together these last three and a half years. But I believe the time has come for President Biden to pass the torch.”

U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) speaks on immigration at the U.S. Capitol on May 10, 2023 in Washington, DC.
U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) speaks on immigration at the U.S. Capitol on May 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Levin's request prompted a hasty end to the call, according to a report.
Levin’s request prompted a hasty end to the call, according to a report. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

So far, 19 House Democrats and one senator have called publicly on Biden to step aside following his catastrophic June 27 debate performance against former President Donald Trump, where Biden appeared confused and made puzzling remarks such as that he “beat Medicare.”

Biden on Thursday evening added to his verbal stumbles, mistakenly introducing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin” before hosting a press conference where he made reference to “Vice President Trump” instead of Kamala Harris.

Gluesenkamp Perez said Thursday that Biden should consider leaving office before his term ends due to the possibility he’s not truly running the country.

Biden, 81, committed fresh gaffes Thursday evening while mixing up the names of European leaders and his own vice president.
Biden, 81, committed fresh gaffes Thursday evening while mixing up the names of European leaders and his own vice president. Getty Images

“I doubt the President’s judgement about his health, his fitness to do the job, and whether he is the one making important decisions about our country, rather than unelected advisors,” she said in a statement to KGW8. 

“Americans deserve to feel their president is fit enough to do the job. The crisis of confidence in the President’s leadership needs to come to an end. The President should do what he knows is right for the country and put the national interest first.”

The White House and Biden campaign did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.