'Pass the torch': House Democrats praise Biden's legacy as more call for him to end White House bid

Four new House Democrats joined a chorus of their fellow party members on Thursday in calling for President Joe Biden to stop his bid for a second presidential term.

The president has been facing increasing pressure from congressional Democrats to drop from the race against former President Donald Trump, after he gave a disastrous performance in the first presidential debate. Although Biden has been firm about remaining in the race, 13 House Democrats and one senator have called for him to drop out so far.

Illinois Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider and swing-state Democratic Rep. Hillary Scholten from Michigan, are two of the newest members to ask the president to end his quest.

“In passing the torch now, President Biden has a chance to ... seal his place in history as one of the greatest leaders our nation, and history, has ever known," Schneider said in a statement reported by The Hill. "He can lead the transition of power to a new generation that can build a stronger party and a stronger nation. I fear if he fails to make the right choice, our democracy will hang in the balance.”

Schneider said Biden needs to step down because of the risk of a second Trump presidency, which he called an "absolute threat to the very core of our nation."

Scholten also praised the president's legacy and the successes of his first term in office, but said it was time to "pass the torch to a new candidate" for November.

“President Biden has spent his life serving our nation and building the next generation of American leadership,” Scholten said in a statement. “For the good of our democracy, I believe it is time for him to step aside from the presidential race and allow a new leader to step up."

The congresswoman added that her party needed more than just a strong candidate to beat Trump in November, they also needed someone who could ultimately govern the country.

Reps. Ed Case from Hawaii, and Greg Stanton from the battleground state of Arizona, have also encouraged Biden to exit the race. 

Questions about the president's mental and physical fitness and ability to lead the United States for another four years have swirled for months, and a recent Rasmussen Reports poll found the majority of voters believe other people are running the country behind the scenes. 

The House Oversight Committee also subpoenaed three White House staffers on Wednesday for testimony on who is really the person pulling the strings in the Oval Office.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.