House Speaker Mike Johnson, shortly after President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, accused the Democratic Party of forcing him from the ballot, invalidating the votes of millions of Americans.
He also called on Biden to resign "immediately."
"If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president," said Johnson. "He must resign the office immediately. Nov. 5 cannot arrive soon enough."
By forcing Biden off the ballot, he continued, Democrats have proven to be the opposite of being for democracy.
"Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed 'party of democracy' has proven exactly the opposite," Johnson said.
Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to run in his stead, but Johnson said the party's prospects are no better with her, as she "co-owns the disastrous policy failures of the Biden administration."
"As second in command and a completely inept border czar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplice — not only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security, and prosperity but also in the largest political cover-up in U.S. history," said Johnson. "She has known for as long as anyone of [Biden's] incapacity to serve."
Meanwhile, Johnson warned the United States' adversaries that Congress, the military, and the American people are "fully prepared and committed to defend our interests both at home and abroad."
Other Republicans joined their speaker's call for Biden to resign immediately.
"If Joe Biden can't run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as President of the United States," Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said in a statement. "He must immediately resign."
"The Democrat Party is in absolute free fall for their blatantly corrupt and desperate attempt to cover up the fact that Joe Biden is unfit for office," she added. "Every elected Democrat in America owns Joe Biden's failed and feckless record causing the border crisis, 'Bidenflation,' and chaos and weakness around the world. President Trump will win this November to save America."
Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla, also called for Biden to resign from the White House.
"If Joe Biden is unfit to be the Democrat nominee for president, he's unfit to be president for the rest of his term," Hern posted on X. "For the good of the country, Joe Biden should resign immediately."
Democrats had a different reaction, however, with Biden's wife, Jill, putting simply a heart emoji on her X page along with her husband's announcement letter.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who has recently told Biden he was concerned about his ability to be re-elected, Sunday called Biden a "great president and a great legislative leader" as well as an "amazing human being."
"His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first," said Schumer. "Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American."
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose name has been mentioned as a potential contender for the Democratic Party nomination, also praised Biden's decision.
"President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans," he posted on X. "He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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