BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Jeffries, Biden meet over campaign concerns after NATO speech

  • The president has been facing pressure to step aside in the race
  • 18 Democrats in Congress have publicly called for him to withdraw
  • Voters have expressed fears about Biden's mental fitness for the job

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

(NewsNation) — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., met with President Joe Biden over concerns about Biden’s continued candidacy and fears the president can’t defeat former President Donald Trump in November.

In a letter to Democrats, Jeffries noted he met with the president and the White House confirmed the meeting to NewsNation. The letter did not discuss the substance of the discussion, but called it “candid.”

The meeting comes following two gaffes from Biden during his speech and press conference at the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., where the president confused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Later, he referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as vice president Trump.

Biden’s campaign is working overtime to reassure worried Democrats, donors and voters that he’s able to continue in the race and all eyes were on his NATO performance. The president, who has been defiant in the face of suggestions that he needs to pass the torch, is trying to put the focus on his past performance, dismissing concerns from voters that he is not mentally fit enough for a second term.

Since the first presidential debate, 17 Democratic representatives and one Senator have publicly called on Biden to withdraw from the race and let another, younger candidate take over. There are also reports of concern from others in the party, who have signaled that they are open to Biden stepping down but have stopped short of asking him to step aside.

“I directly expressed the full breadth of insight, heartfelt perspectives and conclusions about the path forward that the Caucus has shared in our recent time together,” Jeffries said in the letter.

The Democratic National Convention in August is fast approaching, and the discourse over Biden’s ability to win has led to discussions over how the party might be able to replace the president on the ticket so close to the election.

2024 Election

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Sunny

la

79°F Sunny Feels like 79°
Wind
2 mph E
Humidity
19%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 54F. Winds light and variable.
54°F A few clouds. Low 54F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
3 mph NNE
Precip
1%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Gibbous