Former House Speaker Pelosi Faces Indirect Pressure to Resign
'Rejects Resignation Talk' Biden in a Tight Spot
Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made remarks at the end of last month suggesting that President Joe Biden, who is at a crossroads after a poor performance in the presidential debate, reconsider running for re-election. Actor George Clooney, who has supported President Biden, also publicly called for his resignation. Although President Biden sent a letter directly to divided Democratic lawmakers expressing his intention to complete his presidential term, pressure for his resignation is intensifying as even his longtime allies are turning away.
On the 10th (local time), former Speaker Pelosi appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" and said, "Whether the president runs is up to the president," adding, "Since there is little time left, we are all encouraging him to make a decision."
When asked if she wanted President Biden to complete his re-election bid, she replied, "I want whatever he decides."
Former Speaker Pelosi urged Democratic lawmakers to wait until the conclusion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit held this week in Washington D.C.
She said, "I told everyone, whether they have thoughts or are telling someone in secret, to wait a moment," adding, "There is no need to reveal your thoughts until we see what happens this week."
Former Speaker Pelosi has shown support for President Biden despite ongoing controversies over his age and calls for a candidate replacement. As recently as the 30th of last month, she stated, "There is nothing better than Biden getting up and crossing the finish line," and said that replacing the candidate would "only cause confusion." However, as internal party conflicts have intensified, her remarks on this day were interpreted as an indirect call for the president’s decision after the NATO summit.
The New York Times (NYT) reported, "Former Speaker Pelosi sent a strong and public signal that President Biden still has time to reconsider his re-election bid," adding, "It appears to be an effort to provide space for a change in direction to the overheated Democratic base, considering the party’s internal divisions."
Actor Clooney, who attended a Biden fundraising event a few weeks ago, also called for the president’s resignation.
In a column he contributed to the NYT that day, he stated, "None of us believe that this president, who we witnessed in the debate, can win the November election," and predicted not only a presidential defeat but also losing majority status in both the House and Senate.
Meanwhile, President Biden is scheduled to hold an unscripted press conference on the last day of the NATO summit, the 11th. This is expected to be a turning point in determining whether President Biden will resign, amid cognitive ability controversies during the debate that sparked concerns about his age and calls for a candidate replacement.
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