Schiff calls on Biden to drop out of reelection race; president tests positive for COVID

Rep. Adam Schiff on Wednesday joined the growing number of House Democrats to ask President Joe Biden to end his reelection campaign, as the White House announce Biden tested positive for COVID-19.

Schiff, who represents parts of Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley and northern Los Angeles, told the LA Times he had “serious concerns” that Biden can defeat presumptive Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump.

Biden “has been one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history, and his lifetime of service as a senator, a vice president, and now as president has made our country better,” Schiff told the newspaper.

“But our nation is at a crossroads. 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 said.

Schiff is running against former Dodgers star Steve Garvey for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Diane Feinstein, who died in September.

In a statement Wednesday, Garvey repeated a call he made earlier this month for Biden to immediately end his presidency.

“Adam Schiff’s call for President Biden not to run for re-election doesn’t go far enough,” Garvey said Wednesday. “It’s not just about the next election; it’s about the current governance. President Biden should resign immediately for the good of the nation.

“Under his leadership, we are facing unprecedented international threats, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the conflict in Israel, and increasing dangers from Iran. Our country deserves leadership that can effectively address these challenges and restore stability at home and abroad,” Garvey said. “Schiff not demanding his resignation imperils Americans at home and abroad every day.”

The White House announced Wednesday afternoon that Biden had contracted COVID.

“Earlier today following his first event in Las Vegas, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “He is vaccinated and boosted and he is experiencing mild symptoms. He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time. The White House will provide regular updates on the president’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.”

At least 20 Democrats in Congress — 19 House members and one senator, Peter Welch of Vermont — have called on Biden to quit the presidential race because of his age and listless performance in the first presidential debate with Trump last month.

Repeatedly Biden has refused to quit his campaign, insisting that he plans to see it through and win a second term.

Schiff said that the “choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone,” but it is time for the president “to pass the torch” and “secure his legacy of leadership” by giving another Democrat the opportunity to defeat Trump.

The Democratic Party will officially choose its presidential nominee at the National Convention set for Aug. 19-22 in Chicago.

However, the Democratic National Committee has decided to do a virtual roll call vote to formally nominate Biden in early August, according to published reports citing a letter that convention rules committee leaders Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Leah Daughtry sent Wednesday to 186 committee members.

Updated July 18, 2024, 8:49 a.m.

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