As Dems end calls for Biden to step aside, window opens for Trump VP pick to take the spotlight

A series of high-profile expressions of support for President Joe Biden in recent days appears to signal that internal efforts to boot him from the to ticket may subside, potentially setting the stage for presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s vice presidential selection to dominate the headlines.

In the wake of the June 27 presidential debate in which Biden often stumbled over his words and appeared lost on stage, the president has faced mounting pressure to step aside in favor of an alternative party nominee, though he has resolutely refused to abandon his reelection bid.

In the immediate days after the debate, Biden’s detractors mount myriad efforts to either encourage him to step aside or formulate strategies to choose an alternative nominee.

Gaining particular attention was a scheme from Georgetown University law professor Rosa Brooks and Democratic donor Ted Dintersmith to hold a so-called “blitz primary” in which delegates would choose between a limited field of candidates via ranked choice voting.

Biden has, in response to such efforts, thrown down the gauntlet against his detractors, asserting that the Democratic Party would be best served focusing on defeating Trump and insisting he would be the nominee.

“I wouldn’t be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024,” he insisted in a letter Monday to Capitol Hill Democrats.

Major Democratic factions fold

Among those supporting Biden this week are Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and fellow members of the House's progressive "Squad" caucus Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.

In the upper chamber, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday repeatedly stated, "I'm with Joe," when pressed by reporters about efforts to pressure Biden, Politico reported.

Biden now appears to also have the support of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus.

All eyes turn to Trump

As changes to the Democratic ticket appear increasingly unlikely, the remaining issue before the general election takes shape is that of the Republican ticket.

Trump, who was elected president in 2016 and lost reelection in 2020, has essentially remained mum since the debate, preferring instead to allow Democrats to attack Biden and push for his ouster from the ticket. But with that media cycle seemingly poised to end, he is likely to reenter the spotlight amid speculation over his choice of vice president.

During an appearance this week on Fox News, Trump told host Sean Hannity that he had been playing his cards close to the vest because “we wanted to see what they’re doing, to be honest. Because, you know, it might make a difference,” according to the Associated Press.

Trump has not yet announced his choice of running mate and Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller on Monday appeared to indicate that Trump had not made the decision, likening the abundance of viable options to an “embarrassment of riches” during an appearance on Fox News.

Even the timing of Trump’s announcement itself remains somewhat unclear, though Miller indicated that "[b]y this time next Monday, we will know who President Trump has selected as his running mate for the 2024 election.”

"It could happen any time this week. Could happen literally right up until the first day of the convention," he also said.

The Republican National Convention is slated for July 15-18. Each day will feature a different theme derived from Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.

The short list

Among the candidates most discussed as potential running mates to Trump are Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. 

Vance indicated on Sunday during an appearance on NBC News’s “Meet the Press” that he had not received a call from Trump asking him to be his running mate.

“We’ll let the media know if I ever get that call. But most importantly, we’re just trying to work to elect Donald Trump,” he said. “Whoever his vice president is, he’s got a lot of good people he could choose from.”

Also, on Sunday, Rubio told CNN that “I’ve heard nothing, I know nothing, and you probably know more than I do about it. … Donald Trump has a decision to make.

“He’ll make it when he needs to make it. He’ll make a good decision. I know for certain that I will be out there over the next three or four months, working on behalf of his campaign in some capacity.”

Burgum has emerged as an unlikely candidate to run with Trump and the pair have exchanged fond words for one another, even after he challenged Trump in the primary.

Trump’s announcement could come at any time, either at the convention itself, during a media appearance, or even through a post on Truth Social.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X.