Rep. Adam Schiff calls on Biden to drop out of presidential race
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, called on President Joe Biden Wednesday to drop his reelection bid, citing "serious concerns" that Biden can defeat presumptive Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump, hours before the White House announced that Biden had tested positive for COVID-19.
Biden "has been one of the most consequential presidents in our nation's history, and his lifetime of service as a senator, a vice president, and now as president has made our country better," Schiff said in a statement shared with FOX 11.
"But our nation is at a crossroads. A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the president can defeat Donald Trump in November," Schiff said.
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Schiff is running for the U.S. Senate against former Dodgers star Steve Garvey.
"While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch. And in doing so, secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election. But make no mistake, whoever our party ends up nominating, or if the nomination remains with the president, I will do everything I can to help them succeed. There is only one singular goal: defeating Donald Trump. The stakes are just too high," he added.
At least 19 House Democrats and one Democratic senator -- Peter Welch of Vermont -- have called on Biden to step down, citing concerns about the president's age after his listless performance in the first presidential debate against Trump in June.
Biden has repeatedly and emphatically refused calls to step down, insisting that he plans to stay in the race and win in November.
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled for Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, when the party will officially nominate its presidential candidate.
However, the Democratic National Committee has decided to hold a virtual roll call vote to formally nominate Biden sometime in the first week of August, according to multiple media reports, which cited a letter sent Wednesday by the heads of the convention rules committee.