With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
California Democrat Adam Schiff calls on Biden to drop out of presidential race
Rep. Adam Schiff calls on President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid, citing 'serious concerns' about his ability to win, during a press conference on Wednesday.
(
J. Scott Applewhite
/
AP Photo
)
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) is calling on President Joe Biden to end his reelection campaign, becoming the most high-profile California Democrat to do so.
In a written statement Wednesday, Schiff called Biden “one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history” but said it was “time for him to pass the torch.”
“Our nation is at a crossroads,” Schiff said. “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, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat that was long held by the late Dianne Feinstein, is the latest elected Democrat in California to call for Biden to withdraw. His close ally and mentor, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, last week raised questions about whether Biden should stay in but stopped short of calling for him to drop out.
Sponsor
According to an AP poll released Wednesday, 65% of Democrats nationwide think Biden should drop out.
Schiff said the decision is up to the president alone but said withdrawing would help Biden “secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election.”
Still, Schiff said he will work to elect whomever Democrats nominate next month.
“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,” Schiff said.
This is a breaking story, and it will be updated.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
