More than a dozen Republican lawmakers have called for President Joe Biden to resign from office following his announcement to end his reelection bid. The demands, made on Sunday, cite concerns about Biden’s ability to govern given his decision not to seek a second term.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator J.D. Vance, recently nominated as Donald Trump’s running mate for the November 5 election, led the chorus of Republican voices urging the 81-year-old incumbent to step down.
If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately,” Johnson stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The calls for resignation come after weeks of pressure from fellow Democrats for Biden to end his campaign, following a poorly received debate performance against former President Trump on June 27.
Some Republicans, including Senator Markwayne Mullin, have gone further, suggesting Biden’s Cabinet invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. However, such action is considered highly unlikely given that Biden handpicked his Cabinet members.
Democrats have swiftly dismissed these demands as “ridiculous.” Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, a close Biden associate, rejected the calls outright. The White House also responded, with spokesperson Andrew Bates affirming Biden’s intention to complete his term and continue pursuing his agenda.
He looks forward to finishing his term and delivering more historic results for the American people,” Bates stated, highlighting Biden’s focus on economic issues and opposition to what he termed the “MAGAnomics agenda.
The resignation demands follow months of Republican criticism of Biden on issues such as immigration and inflation. They also come in the wake of an unsuccessful impeachment attempt by House Republicans that failed to uncover evidence of wrongdoing.
As the political landscape shifts dramatically with Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race, these calls for resignation underscore the intensifying partisan divide and set the stage for a tumultuous lead-up to the November election.
REUTERS
