Democratic Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, who serves as the Ranking Member on the House Intelligence Committee, caused a stir on Thursday evening when he publicly called on Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee for 2024.
The call came after Biden’s press conference at the NATO summit in Washington, D.C.
WATCH:
Shortly after Biden’s press conference, Himes took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his concerns.
He lauded Biden’s impressive public service record and accomplishments but warned against risking his legacy and the future of American democracy by persisting in the midst of potential challenges from former President Donald Trump.
Joe Biden’s record of public service is unrivaled. His accomplishments are immense. His legacy as a great president is secure.
He must not risk that legacy, those accomplishments and American democracy to soldier on in the face of the horrors promised by Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/FMMrTK8pb8
— Jim Himes ???????????????????????????????? (@jahimes) July 12, 2024
In the statement, Himes advocated for the president to “step away from the presidential campaign,” underlining the critical importance of presenting a formidable candidate to counter the perceived threat of Trump’s alleged promised approach towards MAGA authoritarianism. Himes stated, “The 2024 election will shape the trajectory of American democracy, and we must field the most robust contender possible to confront the looming menace of Trump’s alleged authoritarian agenda. Regrettably, I do not believe that figure is Joe Biden.”
Rep. Anna Paulina called it out as ‘partisan nonsense,’ when it’s a ‘national security issue.’
LOOK:
We asked to hear the Hur tapes in a SCIF and they wouldn’t let us. There would be 0 concerns with leaks in a SCIF. So what is Garland hiding? Imagine how bad the tapes must be if they won’t let us hear them in the SCIF… https://t.co/twvr2eR7eu
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) July 12, 2024