Adam Schiff, the high-profile California Democrat and US Senate candidate, on Wednesday called on Joe Biden to end his presidential campaign, stating he has “serious concerns” about the president’s ability to beat Donald Trump in November.
In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles-area congressman joined almost 20 other Congressional Democrats in asking the president to step aside. Biden “has been one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history”, Schiff said, but it is time “to pass the torch”.
“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 told the newspaper.
The development comes as an increasing number of Democrats express doubts about whether Biden can win in November and concerns over his age and cognitive abilities following his debate performance against Trump.
For his part, Schiff said he would support whoever is the Democratic nominee, including Biden, and will do anything to help the ticket succeed.
“There is only one singular goal: defeating Donald Trump. The stakes are just too high,” he told the LA Times.
